Chapter 19
19
I used to call bullshit on twin telepathy.
I was a twin and never experienced it.
Until today.
One look at my brother, and I know something is wrong.
The vomiting must’ve been a forewarning that something bad was coming.
“You didn’t hear, did you?” River asks as soon as Adrian leaves.
I haven’t seen him this serious since the accident when he said he’d murder everyone involved.
I gulp. “Hear what?”
River starts pacing, and Easton sits in Adrian’s abandoned chair.
“The Prison Exoneration Program picked up Earl’s case,” River bites out.
You know that phrase, getting the wind knocked out of you?
That’s exactly what happens.
The nausea I experienced earlier creeps up my stomach. I jump off the couch and dash to the bathroom. I don’t bother flipping on the light before dropping to my knees at the toilet. What little I didn’t puke out earlier comes up .
When I’m positive there’s nothing left to vomit, I sink onto the floor and rest my back against the wall. Dread is taking over every inch of me.
I pull my knees to my chest and rest my forehead on them. I’m not sure how much time I sit there before River sits down next to me. I raise my head to rest it on his shoulder.
“Who’d believe he was innocent?” I cry. “The evidence was as clear as day.”
“I don’t know, but I’ll hack into the system to find out.” He attempts to make his voice as comforting as possible. “You know I’m always here for you. So are Mom and Dad.”
I sit there and sob.
Memories of that night consume me.
I still have nightmares about it.
I’ll fight Earl’s release.
Not only for me, but for Ethan too.
When I was in the hospital after the accident, all my friends wrote me a letter.
They signed each one with, You’re not alone .
I’ll never forget that.
When I dove out of the Jeep, the fire hit my stomach and upper thighs.
Somehow, I remembered to stop, drop, and roll as soon as I hit the ground. The doctors claimed I was extremely lucky.
They did skin grafts but couldn’t fix the scars.
I’ve tried to love my new skin—I really have.
The problem is, I can’t forget how normal it was before.
The PEP taking Earl’s case might not change anything. The prosecutors had a mountain of evidence against him. They said there was no doubt he’d caused the accident.
I pull my wet hair into a ponytail after showering and walk out to my living room, filled with my friends. My parents are out of town and supposed to be gone for the week, but River said they booked a flight home as soon as they heard the news.
“We’re by your side, no matter what,” Callie says as everyone jumps up to hug me.
I don’t doubt that.
“Maybe I should …” I slowly twirl my wrist and stare at it. “Maybe I should visit Earl and ask him to complete his sentence for his crime.”
River stands and shakes his head furiously. “Fuck no. If anyone visits him, it’ll be me.”
I focus on my twin. “Do you remember the last time you saw Earl? The cops arrested you for trying to fight him.”
He throws out his arms. “And?”
My phone vibrates in my hand, and a text from Adrian pops up on the screen.
Adrian: How are you feeling?
I ignore his text and sit between Ava and Amelia on the couch. They instantly snuggle in closer, like they’re my bodyguards.
I stare at my phone. There’s an urge to google Earl.
To email the PEP and explain the hell they’ll put me through if they attempt to set him free.
Amelia wraps her arm around me and drags me in for a side hug. “Let me be here for you, like you were me.”
I lower my chin and nod. “Give me tonight, okay?”
Right now, I want to be alone because I know when my parents arrive tomorrow, all hell will break loose. They’ll call the attorneys and attempt to fight Earl and the PEP.
I need a moment of peace before my life is changed again.
And I need to figure out how to push Adrian away so he doesn’t ever see the real me.