Page 44

“Hi, Mama. I’m sorry I didn’t give you more warning, but what I have to say is important.”

I hug her, and she studies me with worried eyes.

“Everything is okay, Joss. Rain is a strong woman,” Xander says.

Mama smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“I’ll bake the biscuits I prepped last night. Why don’t you cook the eggs and the hashbrowns, and I’ll take care of the bacon? Xander, could you cut up some fruit?”

He nods and heads to the sinks to wash his hands.

I take a deep breath and start pulling out all the ingredients. I need something to focus on while we wait.

One by one, my siblings arrive. My heart thunders in my chest, and my hands are cold and clammy. I’m a mess.

“You got this,” Xander whispers as we fill our plates and sit at the table. “I’m with you every step of the way.”

“Looks like we’ll have to invest in a bigger table,” River says, taking Merlin’s spot so Xander can sit beside me.

I mouth thank you , and he nods.

“Maybe that’s something I can build,” Miles says. “By the time all of us find our forever person, there’ll be twelve adults at this table—and if everyone keeps popping out twins…”

Ruin punches him playfully in the arm.

“Maybe I should build a twenty-seater to be safe.”

Mama’s eyes light up.

“Give us an estimate first. We might have to go with a more affordable option,” River says.

Everyone laughs as Miles tries to toss a biscuit at him, but River catches it mid-air and takes a bite.

“No horseplay at the dining table,” Mama warns, her voice slipping into full-on Mama tone.

Feeling a little lighter after watching my siblings banter, I take a deep breath.

“As all of you know, Xander and I hit it off soon after we met. These past couple of months have been nothing short of amazing.”

I glance at him. He’s smiling, and I’m so grateful I have his support.

I’m about to continue when Granny cuts in.

“I called it. These two are waiting on the stork to deliver their bundle of joy.”

The table lights up with smiles and surprised looks.

I raise my hand, palm out.

“Granny, I love your candor, but this isn’t that. I really need you all to listen, please.”

She nods, lips pressed tight, and the mood shifts.

“As amazing as this time with Xander has been, it’s also brought unexpected consequences. He’s a public figure, and a video of us went viral after a yoga class. And someone from my past saw it.”

The room quiets. Ruin stills. She knows what’s coming.

“This person hurt me many years ago. I’d made peace with it, moved on—thanks in large part to Xander.”

River scratches the back of his neck, eyes trained on me.

Mama’s voice is tight. “But who, dear? Who hurt you?”

“What I’m about to tell you happened ten years ago. I don’t want blame or finger-pointing—I simply want you to listen.

“It was the summer before high school. I was at a bonfire with Dennis. Things escalated. I said no. He didn’t stop. He attacked me. He assaulted me.”

I’m almost startled by my composure—no tears this time. Maybe they’ve all turned into anger.

“What are you saying, Rain?” Mama whispers, her hands covering her mouth.

“She just said that asshole raped her!” Miles roars, making Mama and Granny break down at the same time.

“Yes,” I say quietly. “That’s what I said.”

I look at Mama—her face is shattered—and the anger inside me sharpens.

I never wanted her to carry this pain.

“But what do you mean he raped you and he’s still walking around like nothing happened?” Miles asks. “Is he the one you said contacted you?”

“Yes, he’s the one,” I say calmly.

“I thought I’d dealt with all of this years ago. But after the video of Xander and me went viral, he must’ve thought it was okay to reach out. At first, it was a few texts, but they got more persistent… Then he crossed the line. He approached Xander after a game.”

Eyes grow wide around the table. Ruin gasps.

“What? And you didn’t punch him?” Miles asks, leaning forward, eyes on Xander.

River pushes him back into his seat, but I’m already on my feet.

“First, this isn’t Xander’s fight. It’s mine. Second, if Xander had hit Dennis, he could’ve been disciplined by the league—maybe even benched. So no, Miles, he didn’t punch him.”

Xander lifts a hand. “My Dad got a few punches in for me, though.”

River and Miles relax a little at that.

“Okay,” I say, holding up a hand, “let me finish before we get sidetracked again.”

Everyone nods, and I sit back down.

“The reason I’m telling you this now is because I’m done handling this privately.

He came at Xander—and that was the line for me.

I’m going to the police to file a sexual assault report.

And before it spreads through the grapevine, I wanted you to hear it from me.

I don’t need you to do anything. I know I can handle it. ”

I glance at River. His jaw is clenched so tightly, I swear he’s going to chip a tooth.

“Wait,” Miles says, voice low but incredulous. “No one knew back then? How’d you hide this from us?”

I exhale, but before I can speak, River does.

“I knew.”

Everyone turns to him. Mama’s tears start again.

“I was coming home and saw Dennis trying to dump Rain by the gate. She was in a state. I lost it—beat him within an inch of his life.”

His fists clench at his sides as he speaks, gaze locked on the table.

“I called his dad. Told him what happened. Said they needed to leave town immediately or I’d go to the police. He got Dennis out of here, and I kept my end of the deal.”

Mama sobs. “Oh, my sweet child. How did you go through all that without me?”

I rush to hug her, holding her close.

“With all due respect, Joss,” Xanders says gently, “the last thing Rain needs is guilt. She was barely an adult. She and River did what they thought was best. All we can do is support her in any way we can.”

Everyone nods.

I glance at Xander, and he winks.

Granny stands and pulls me into a hug. I melt into her touch, the way I used to as a child .

River and Miles are talking quietly—I can’t tell if they’re processing or plotting. Either way, I won’t change my mind.

Gio leans toward Xander and says, “If Rain needs a lawyer, let me know. I can hire the best civil tort lawyer in the country. Just say the word.”

Xander nods. “Yes, please. Put us in touch, but I’ll cover the fees. I appreciate it, though.”

Gio nods and excuses himself, phone already in hand.

“Can we go with you to the police?” River asks. Miles nods in agreement.

I look to Xander. He gives me a soft smile. “Whatever you want to do, we do. I’m coming with you no matter what.”

I nod, and Granny returns to her seat, patting Mama’s shoulder on her way past.

Mama’s still in shock.

Fuck this asshole. This is the last thing I ever wanted to put her through. First, she lost her husband, then almost lost a daughter. And now this? Dennis needs to pay for everything he’s done—to me and my family.

“Yeah,” I say, turning to River. “I think it’d be good for you to give a statement. You’re a witness.”

River presses his hands together in thanks, and everyone gets up from the table.

“You guys go,” Ruin says as she pulls me into a hug. “I’ll clean up and stay with Mama and Granny.”

“Thank you, sis,” I whisper. She hugs me tighter.

After saying goodbye to Mama and Granny, we head for the door—River and Miles hot on our heels.

As it closes, I hear Mama ask, “Where are the babies? I need a recharge after this.”

I smile, my heart aching and full.

My family’s got my back.

And I’m ready for what’s to come.