Chapter 53
Zoe
Caleb misses you.
—Zoe
When we get home, Caleb and Jase are sitting on the sofa. There’s some show on the TV, but they have their heads together and are focused on talking about something I can’t hear.
The sight of them gives me a pang of longing. It’s so normal to see them like this. A little like it used to be, if not exactly the same as it was. Jase and Caleb turn around at the same time as they hear my footsteps and Dad closing the door behind us.
I’m overwhelmingly tired as I go to the sofa, collapsing between them with a sigh and ignoring the fact that I’m still wearing my jacket and boots. My whole body feels heavy, just like my head. Like it’s packed with cotton balls.
Jase reaches for my hand, and our fingers intertwine. The living room is silent apart from the voices coming from the TV. They’re waiting. Patiently. They don’t ask how it went or how I’m doing. They don’t ask any questions, and that feels good. I take a deep breath.
“It’s over,” I finally say. And for now, it is.
Reed confessed, and I told the police what I heard when he was arguing with Charlotte.
I told them everything. About Charlotte and me, about the party, and about how she acted like she didn’t believe me, even though she knew what happened. What she did.
She labeled me a liar when she was the biggest liar herself.
There won’t be a trial, at least not for Reed.
Since he turned himself in, he’ll probably get off with a lighter sentence.
Which kind of sucks, but I can’t do anything to change it.
And to be honest, I’m relieved I don’t have to tell the whole story again in front of a judge, prosecution, and jury. I don’t want an audience.
At least he’s getting a punishment, and I know Mom will make sure he doesn’t get off as lightly as he hopes. She has damn good lawyers.
“What about Charlotte?” Caleb asks after I’ve told them everything.
I shrug, exhausted. “No idea. We’ll see. Reed also told the police that Charlotte gave me the roofies, but it’ll be difficult to prove. She certainly won’t admit it. Then it’ll be his word against hers.”
“But you heard her,” Jase says. I can see the anger in his eyes. He’s clenching his teeth so hard that his jaw is protruding.
“She’ll say that I’m lying.” I hate to say it, but unfortunately, it’s true.
“But that’s bullshit!”
I lean my head on Jase’s chest and inhale his scent. Mint and honey. Safe.
I don’t answer because there’s nothing to say. It’s all bullshit, and totally awful, but I did what I could. Now it’s out of my hands.