And she wanted nothing to do with it.
Which only made me want her more.
Chapter Six
JADE
It wasthe kind of rain that didn’t fall—it clung.
A misty, quiet fog that swallowed the coastline and painted everything in grayscale. Even the seagulls had the sense to stay grounded.
I hadn’t left the house all day.
Shani’s texts had started at 8 a.m.
U better be at the polo match.
Tristan is shirtless. That’s a PSA.
Omg Jade don’t ghost me—what if I fall off a horse and die.
I didn’t answer.
The truth was, I couldn’t fake cheerleader energy today. Not when everything outside—and inside—was a low hum of static.
I sat curled up by the window, a mug of lukewarm tea in one hand and my aunt’s fluffiest orange tabby purringlike an engine across my lap. The rain tapped softly against the old glass panes, rolling down like slow tears I didn’t have to shed anymore.
Mom had called that morning.
The investigation was still stalled.
No one talking.
The school was lawyered up.
The district’s retainer fees were being covered with taxpayer dollars while my parents were stuck hoping some overworked detective might actually give a damn.
"I’m just glad you're okay," she said softly. “You sound… lighter.”
I stared out at the fog. “I’m trying.”
“You don’t have to run anymore. Maybe you can make something new there. Join a club? Get back to soccer, maybe?”
My heart tripped at the mention.
The cleats and shin guards still lived under my bed.
Silent.
Untouched.
A version of me that used to be confident, fast, fearless on the field. Before all of it.
Beforethem.
“I don’t know, Mom,” I whispered.
“Just don’t hide forever, okay?”
