Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
BAILEY
Today is the day I’ve been dreading. The day I’ll have to sit in front of a room full of people and recall everything that happened to me.
I don’t know though. I think after finally telling Leon how I felt…
finally having sex again… I feel different.
Like voicing how I was tired of being powerless, tired of letting life happen to me without my own choosing, made me actually feel all the strength that everyone’s been telling me I have.
The dread for today is still there though, like a weight holding me down. I guess that’s normal?
Lizet’s stone is in my pocket. I’ve already taken it out multiple times this morning. She was right, it does help me focus on something tangible. Let’s hope all our prep sessions will make the process easier.
The whole family will be there. My parents, of course, but also Jasper and Falin, Damon and Blake, and Leon.
At first I didn’t want him there, but now I realize that it might help him heal as much as it’s helped me.
Anyway, I better go finish getting ready.
Mom wants to leave extra early to beat traffic.
Wish me luck (as I wrote that I cringed…
I know you’re literal paper. Please, Universe, let no one ever find this journal).
Walking down the courthouse steps feels like hiking down a mountain I finished climbing.
My legs are shaky, whether from adrenaline or exhaustion, I can’t tell.
Three and a half hours. Three and a half hours of recounting every detail, every face, every moment I’ve spent the last few months trying to forget and simultaneously trying to remember clearly enough to help other girls… to make those monsters pay.
“You did beautifully, Bailey.” Lizet gives my arm a gentle squeeze.
I only nod, because I can’t trust myself with words.
.. not yet. My throat feels raw from talking, from crying, from forcing myself to speak clearly even when the words felt like coughing up shards of glass.
The stone from her garden is still clutched in my palm, worn smooth from me rubbing it during the hardest parts.
Leon is a steady presence beside me. He looks just as exhausted as I feel. Come to think of it, everyone in my family does. Almost like they were all holding their breath the entire time, scared to breath, afraid to lose it in there. “How are you feeling, love?”
“Tired,” I manage. “But... different? Is that weird?”
“Not at all,” Mom says, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. She’s been crying on and off all morning, but trying to hide it. “You were so strong in there, sweetheart.”
Dad clears his throat, his voice gruff with emotion. “Proud of you, kiddo.”
It must have been hardest on them to hear the details of what I went through. I’m still their little girl after all.
Jasper jogs up the courthouse steps toward us, with Falin, Blake, and Damon close behind. His eyes are red-rimmed and puffy. He had to go grab the others from the coffee shop next door since there was a limit to how many people could come inside the gallery.
Blake wraps me in a hug, sniffling back tears. “How’d it go?”
“Good, I think,” I say, managing a small smile as I take in their grave expressions. “I told them everything I could remember.”
“The prosecutors seemed satisfied,” Lizet adds. “Bailey’s testimony was comprehensive and credible. It should help their case significantly.”
A familiar squeal echoes from across the street, and I look up to see Layne practically sprinting toward us, Ashley jogging behind her in heels that are definitely not made for running.
They both look so different from the last time I saw them.
Maybe it’s their conservative court outfits, or maybe it’s just that they’ve matured so much. We all have.
“Bailey!” Layne reaches me first, pulling me into one of her bone-crushing hugs. “Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here. You’re okay.” She pulls back to look at me, tears in her eyes. “How’d it go? We tried to get inside but they were dicks.”
“It went alright,” I say, laughing slightly.
She pulls me back in for a hug. Ashley joins her, and for a moment I’m transported back to simpler times. Cramped dorm rooms and late-night talks and worrying about nothing more serious than Layne’s drama with Clay.
“I can’t believe you guys drove all this way,” I say when they finally release me.
“Are you kidding?” Ashley says. “We wouldn’t miss this. Layne threatened to steal my car if I didn’t drive her.”
“I absolutely would have,” Layne confirms. “But I probably would have crashed it into a tree within five miles, so thanks for the ride, bestie.”
“Yeah, she’s a terrible driver,” Ashley says with a laugh.
I introduce them to everyone and it’s only awkward for a moment, until Layne recognizes Leon and makes her signature holy shit eyes at me. And then he speaks and she grips my arm like her knees are about to buckle.
“That accent,” she whispers so only I can hear. “Panty-melting.”
“Oh my God.” I shake my head. “You’re not wrong though.”
“So,” I say, looking around at our large group, “I know exactly where I want to go for lunch. There’s this cafe about ten minutes from here that has the best grilled cheese and tomato soup. Total comfort food.”
“That sounds perfect,” Mom says, still looking at me with that mixture of pride and concern.
“We’ll need two cars though,” I continue, doing a quick head count. “That’s... a lot of people.”
“I can drive the college crew,” Ashley volunteers, jingling her keys. “Plus whoever else wants to cram into my backseat.”
“I’ll go with you,” I decide, surprising myself. A few months ago, the thought of being separated from Leon or my family would have sent me into a panic. Now it feels... normal. Like something the old Bailey would have done.
Leon’s eyes dart in my direction, crinkling with concern, but he doesn’t say anything.
“You okay with that?” I add, looking at him.
“Of course,” he says, though I can see him fighting his protective instincts. “We’ll follow right behind you.”
“Shotgun!” Layne calls out, making me laugh.
“Absolutely not,” Ashley says. “Bailey gets shotgun. You can sit behind me and complain about my music.”
As we walk to the parking garage, Layne loops her arm through mine like we used to do walking to class. “So,” she whispers, “Leon is even hotter than I imagined. And that voice? Jesus. I’m still blushing.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I say, failing to hide my grin.
“I’m serious. If you hadn’t claimed him first, I would have climbed that man like a tree.”
Ashley snorts from behind us. “Layne, you literally just broke up with Clay three weeks ago. For like the fifth time.”
“And? A girl can appreciate fine British craftsmanship.”
“Oh my God, I can’t with you.” I laugh, and it feels so good. So normal. “You two haven’t changed at all.”
“Neither have you,” Layne says, but then she slows her steps and clears her throat. “I mean, you have, obviously. You’re... stronger. A complete badass. But you’re still you. Still our Bailey.”
After everything I went through today to hear her say those words softens that weight in my chest.
I squeeze her in a side hug. “So tell me about Clay.”
We pile into Ashley’s car, which still smells like the bubblegum air freshener she’s been using since freshman year. She immediately connects her phone to the Bluetooth and starts blasting the same pop playlist she always played on repeat.
“Some things never change,” I mutter, but I’m smiling.
“Don’t even pretend you don’t love it,” she says, pulling out of the parking spot with the same aggressive driving style that used to terrify me. Now it feels like the least scary thing I’ve encountered.
Ashley turns down the volume. “So Bails, we need to know everything. I mean, not everything everything, but... are you okay? Really okay?”
I glance in the rearview mirror and see Layne’s lip quiver. “Yeah, I think I am. Finally starting to be, anyway.”
“We were so worried,” Layne says, her voice thick. “When you just... disappeared. And then when the news broke about the trafficking ring, and we realized...” She swipes at her eyes. “Sorry, I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry.”
“It’s okay,” I say softly. “I’m here now. I’m okay now.”
“That Leon guy seems pretty obsessed with you,” Ashley says, her voice raising an octave. “The way he was looking at you on those courthouse steps? Damn girl, you’re lucky.”
“He’s...” I pause, trying to find the right words. “He saved me. In more ways than one.”
“Good,” Layne says, wiping her eyes. “You deserve someone who treats you like the queen you are.”
The cafe is small and cozy, with mismatched furniture and the smell of melted butter and fresh herbs. We push three tables together to accommodate everyone, which causes a bit of chaos as chairs are rearranged and orders are discussed.
I end up between Leon and Layne, with Ashley across from me next to Blake. It’s surreal, watching my two worlds collide like this.
“So Ashley,” Blake says, making conversation, “What are you studying?”
“I’m an education major. Same as Bailey.” Ashley glances at me. “Are you planning to go back to school?”
It’s the first time anyone’s asked me directly about my future plans. “I... I don’t know yet. Maybe. I’m still figuring things out.”
“You have all the time in the world,” Leon says quietly, wrapping his hand in mine under the table. The simple act makes heat spread up my chest and onto my cheeks. “There’s no rush.”
“Exactly,” Falin adds. “College will always be there when you’re ready. Life experience is just as valuable as classroom learning.”
Layne raises an eyebrow at that. “Speaking from experience?”
“Something like that,” Falin says with a small smile.
I realize if the two of them ever got together the world may not survive the chaos.
When our food arrives—grilled cheese and tomato soup for me, just like I wanted— I take a moment to look around the table.
My parents are deep in conversation with Damon about something random.
Jasper is making Ashley laugh with some ridiculous Jasper story.
Blake and Falin have their heads together, quietly talking.
Leon is eating his sandwich but watching me with that careful expression he can’t help but have.
And Layne… she’s studying me over the rim of her coffee cup.
“What is it?” I ask her.
“Nothing, just...” She tilts her head. “I’m so happy you’re okay. Sorry, I know I must look like a sap, but losing you that way…it was hard.”
“I know.” I drop my sandwich and reach for her hand. “I’m okay… or at least I will be. I promise.”
“I’m sorry for leaving you alone,” she says quietly. “That night, at the club. It was my fault.”
“Layne. You know that’s not true.”
She shakes her head and hides her face in her coffee cup. “I can’t stop blaming myself.”
“Hey,” I say, squeezing Layne’s hand tighter. “Look at me.”
She reluctantly meets my eyes, and I can see all the guilt she’s been carrying clear as day.
“What happened to me was not your fault. You were having fun. I chose to leave on my own.” I lean closer, lowering my voice. “The only people responsible for what happened are the monsters who took me. Not you. Never you.”
Her eyes fill with tears again. “But if I left with you—”
“They would have taken both of us. Or they would have waited for another opportunity. These weren’t random guys, Layne.
They were hunting. It was planned.” I take a shaky breath and images of Jasmine in that hotel room flicker in my mind.
“If anything, I’m glad you weren’t there. I’m glad you’re safe.”
She swipes at her cheeks with her free hand and nods. My words may not have sunk in yet, but I hope she believes them. I know I do.
Layne dabs her eyes with a napkin and gazes around the table. “Your family’s pretty amazing. I mean, your actual family was always great, but this whole crew...” She nods toward Leon, who’s now deep in some animated conversation with Jasper about motorcycles. “They really love you.”
“Yeah,” I say, feeling warmth spread throughout my limbs. “They do.”
“And Leon,” she adds with a smile, “definitely worships the ground you walk on. Every time you so much as shift in your chair, his eyes track you to make sure you’re okay.”
I glance at him and like clockwork, even while talking to Jasper, he’s keeping half his attention on me. When he catches me looking, he gives me a soft smile that makes me melt.
“He’s pretty great,” I admit.
“Pretty great?” Layne scoffs. “Bailey, that man would burn the world down for you. I can see it in his eyes.”
“He kind of already did,” I whisper.
Layne goes back to eating, getting sucked into conversation with Ashley and Blake. Leon’s hand rests purposefully on my thigh. A gesture to show he’s here even as we chat with other people.
No one brings up the testimony, and for that I’m grateful. I want to put it behind me, as much as I know it’ll always be there like a wound that will never fully heal.
I look around at this weird, wonderful collection of people—my parents who never gave up hope, my brother who searched for me relentlessly, his girlfriend who’s become like a sister, Damon and Blake who risked everything to help find me, Leon who literally saved my life in every way that matters, Lizet who helped me find my voice again, and my college friends who drove hours just to be here for me.
Leon catches my eye. “Everything alright, love?”
I nod and rest my head on his shoulder. “Everything is great.”