My eyes widen as they pass over Reed, Hayley, Keeley and D’Angelo. Emotion clogs my throat when I see Tim, Florence, and Cade. My aunt’s there too, along with her second husband, neither of whom I’ve seen since they had a falling-out with my mom.
They’re all here. For me. Smiling my way. Trying to reassure me that it’s all going to be okay. When I’m not so convinced that it is.
My chest warms in gratitude, but it’s Blair’s forced grin that has me struggling for air. She’s working hard to hide her concern, but she’s never been good at faking emotion, at least not with me. She smiles wider when our eyes meet, and I forceone of my own, my gaze sympathetic, hoping to convey how sorry I am. For all that I’ve done.
Simon lightly taps my arm, and my stomach knots as I turn back to the judge seconds before he speaks. “Please be seated.”
I shiver as I sit, my body numb, his words signaling what could be the beginning of the end for me, while my concern lingers on Blair and everyone else I’m dragging down with me—her parents, my teammates.
I’ve brought enough controversy to the team. Yet here they are, supporting me.
Showing uplike I should have been doing for them.
Since I’m first up for this session, the judge launches into it, filling me in on the charges, his course of action exactly as Simon said it would be.
I speak when I’m spoken to, nod in acknowledgment, and wait for the worst to come.
The room falls silent except for the incessant buzzing of a broken light above me. The sound irks me as I nervously bounce my leg. Someone sniffs and it’s like a chain wraps around my heart, squeezing the organ until it hurts. Was that Blair? Is she crying?
The judge taps his nail on the papers in front of him, and his eyes lift to meet the room.
But instead of asking the prosecutor if she has any reason to deny my bail, like I expect him to, he skips ahead, announcing his decision.
“After considering the evidence presented to me last nightandthe new information I received as I was walking in this morning, the Court finds that there is insufficient probable cause to proceed with this case. This case is dismissed with prejudice.”
My jaw drops as my heart seizes.What the fuck just happened?He’s dismissing the case? I twist in my seat to findBlair, her expression much the same as mine, only she’s crying with what I assume to be happy tears falling from her eyes.
The judge says something else, and then Simon’s talking, but I can’t hear anything over the ringing in my ears.
It’s over.
At least,thisissue is.
There’s so much more to come.
The next thirty minutes are a blur as I’m released, and it’s only when I’m standing face to face with my family and friends that I finally take in a solid breath.
“I’m sorry you wasted your time,” I say almost robotically, forcing another smile, making that number ten for the day. “I bet that wasn’t half as interesting as you thought it would be.”
Hayley bursts out laughing and Cade chuckles, while everyone else stares at me with concern, except Blair. I’m not sure what she’s doing because I can’t look at her. If I do, I’m likely to shatter into a million pieces, and I need to hold my shit together. “On a serious note, I truly appreciate you all for coming and...” I trail off, my stomach tensing. “What the hell happened to you?” My eyes lock on Blair’s dad and he winces.
“Would you believe I fell down some stairs?”
“No.” His busted-up face was definitely caused by a fist.
“Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” He smiles uncharacteristically wide and my gaze snaps to Cade’s as he shrugs.Something happened. And I’m going to find out one way or another. They better not have gotten themselves in trouble for me.
When it’s apparent that Tim isn’t giving me anything else, my aunt rushes forward, pulling me into her arms. “I had no idea your parents had abandoned you. I would have reached out. I stupidly assumed she’d turned you against me.”
“It’s okay, Penny. It wasn’t your fault. But please know that—” My breath hitches as my stomach heaves. I can do this. I’ve doneit before. Sierra. Sierra. “Sierraand I always missed you,” I rush out. “We should have been the ones to get in touch.”
“God, no. You were kids. That responsibility was ours. We have to pick Charlie up from school”—my cousin—“but can I call you later? Maybe we can catch up for dinner or lunch before you leave?”
“I’d like that. Thanks.”
They head off and then Blair’s mom is the next to come forward. “I’m sorry too. But I’m sure you’ve got a lot to process, so I’m going to hold my grand speech until later. We’ll be over at Lucky’s Diner when you’re ready. I think your friends want to see you.” She gestures to Reed and Hayley waiting not so patiently behind her, like I’ve been gone for years, and they’ve all formed a line to see me.
“Thank you, Mrs. Stevens. I won’t be long.”
