I don’t know why I laugh. I shouldn’t after what just happened to me. But I do. It’s weak and tinny and I can’t stop it. It’s the last thing I remember before passing out in Austin’s arms.
Chapter 35
The Present
Iwake slowly, my eyes feeling gritty and swollen from crying all night. There’s still dampness on my face and my pillow is wet against my cheek. I don’t dream about the night of the party often anymore. Fallon forced me into therapy for a couple of years to help me deal with everything. But it was the support of my friends, Trevor, and Fallon, that helped me heal. Dustin, Prescott, and I grew close; the three of us bonded in our pain of missing JD. Trevor and Fallon showed me what it felt like to have the love and unconditional support of family. Austin became my fierce protector and a solid friend. Shelby and Renee became my two best girls. And Knox showed me tenderness and understanding. He helped me smile again. What happened last night was not the Knox I know. To be fair, I wasn’t acting like myself either.
After Blaise, Luke, and Will were arrested for attempted sexual assault, I also found out the true power of the Montgomery name and what it means to be Fallon’s sister. I had heard rumors in school about the legendary Fallon Montgomery. About how dangerous he could be. All I have to say is, I’m glad he’s on my side. Once he learned the names of the boys who attacked me, he went after them with ruthless abandon. He kept my name out of the public eye. He made sure they pled guilty to all charges and accepted a plea deal so I wouldn’t have to relive everything in a court trial. He ruined their reputations so no college would accept them. The athletic scholarships they were offered from various universities were rescinded. He bankrupted their families and forced them all to move out of state. It was swift and it was brutal.
I overheard Fallon and Trevor talking one night in the study after Blaise, Luke, and Will went upstate to start serving out their eight-year sentences. They didn’t know I was eavesdropping outside in the hallway.
“It’s done.”
“Fal, that’s just fucked up. I don’t know if I can condone what you’ve done.”
“Those three little fuckers deserve everything that’s coming to them for what they did to Aurora. They’re going to learn to never mess with a Montgomery.”
“Christ, Fallon. I get that. But to put a contract out on them while they’re incarcerated isn’t right.”
“It’s justice, Trev. Remember what Elizabeth told us after she found out the truth about what happened? She said it was justice. That’s what I’m giving Aurora. Those three shits will learn what it feels like to be assaulted. Every single fucking day of their miserable sentences. They’ll know what it feels like to be violated and broken.”
Without Fallon saying exactly what he did, I knew. And I loved him more because of it. He was protecting me. He was fighting for me. I was part of his family. Something I never knew growing up with Mom and Angelica. Fallon opened my eyes that night to what it truly meant to be his sister. To be a Montgomery. We help those in need, take care of friends and family and keep them close, but destroy those who hurt us. And knowing that Fallon stepped up to slay my demons meant more to me than he would ever know.
I sit up in bed, the covers falling to my waist, still naked from last night after Knox abruptly left, and grab the remote to open the curtains. Golden rays of sunshine light up the room and illuminate the dust floating in the air. I watch as they dance like miniature snowflakes as my eyes adjust to the brightness of morning. I stretch, wincing at how sore my body is, knowing I’ll see bruises on my back, legs, and arms when I look in the mirror. Things were not gentle between Knox and me last night.
My phone pings with an incoming text.
Austin: How are you feeling this morning? Knox said you weren’t feeling well and turned in early.
I’ll bet he did.
Me: You got a minute to talk?
My phone immediately starts to ring. “Hey,” I answer.
“Like you, I’ve got all day. Two more days of vacation. Was about to head out to the lake. What’s up?”
I put him on speaker so I can grab some clothes. “I need someone to talk to.”
Austin pauses. “And it’s something you can’t talk to Trevor or Knox about? Or Dustin or Prez? Shelby? Hell, I’ll even throw in Renee.”
Slipping on a tank top and yoga pants, I grab the phone and head out to the balcony for some fresh air. “No. I need you to be Switzerland.”
“This have anything to do with Voldemort?”
I chuckle at his reference. “In a roundabout way, I guess the answer is yes. All my stupid decisions over the past five years have been of me trying my best to avoid my feelings for JD.”
“You just said his name and the world didn’t end. Congratulations.”
“Sarcastic much, asswipe?”
“Just telling you like it is. No sugar-coating you’ll get from me.”
“Now you sound like Yoda.”
“You’re welcome. Now spill. I’m officially Switzerland. What’s going on?”
I lean over the banister when I hear a motorcycle engine rev. Knox is leaving the garage and heading down the driveway.
