Nix is drinking a soda at the island bar while Dee is making a sandwich. They didn’t travel with their families for the holiday, because they wanted to be here for me.
“Yeah.”
“This town is about to be a media circus,” says Dee.
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
“This shit storm is going to be a mess,” says Nix. “No matter what happens, we’re sticking by your side.”
“I appreciate it.”
Over the summer, Dee and Nix helped me install hidden cameras in John’s sex dungeon. I wanted him locked away by graduation. If he was smart, he would accept a plea deal. His attempt to flee is an automatic stamp of his guilt. There is no disputing the video evidence. I plan to stay with Dee while I finish out the school year.
“What happened with Cocoa?” asks Dee.
“It’s over.”
“Why? Just talk to her again. Make her understand,” Nix tells me.
“No, I told her I’d leave her alone and that’s what I plan to do.”
“You won’t be able to leave her alone. You’ll see her in school every day. What will you do if she starts dating someone?” asks Nix.
“I’ll kill him.”
“You need to admit that you love…” starts Dee.
“I admit it,” I say, cutting Dee off. “I do love her, which is why I’m doing what she asked me to do and leave her alone.”
That shuts them both up. I know it’ll be nearly impossible to ignore her for the rest of the school year, but I’m not good enough for her.
The press surrounds the school the first day back after winter break. Since the story broke, it’s been on the news non-stop. I don’t immediately go inside the building. I lean against my car, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. I know I’m making it harder on myself, but I can’t help it. The semester is over, so we don’t have physics class together anymore. I wonder if we will have any classes together for the second half of the school year.
It was so hard not to reach out to him. I almost called him several times, but then I thought about the ugly word he called me, and him fucking that bitch Victoria. I beat myself up for being so weak when it comes to him. The rest of the school year is going to be hell, especially if we have a class together. He hasn’t been to the pizzeria, so I think he’s following my wishes, which is a plus.
I hope during my first year of college, I’ll forget all about the boy who stole my heart in Montgomery, West Virginia. Something tells me that Maverick won’t be easily forgotten. I’m looking forward to spending my summer with Lo and Micah. They’ll help me move on. Saint still hasn’t spoken to me since Halloween. Lo and Micah give me updates about him. He’s hurting and I hate that it’s me who caused the pain.
I see Maverick’s jeep come into view before he turns into the parking lot. He parks his jeep in the first available spot. Dee and Nix are with him. The press converges around the jeep before they have a changer to open the doors. There are more students outside than usual, just being nosy no doubt. Dee and Nix exit the jeep first, pushing through the press to walk around to the driver’s door. When Maverick steps out and closes his door, Dee steps to his left and Nix is at his right.
They’re strong separately, but together they’re impregnable. They make their way to the entrance of the school. Maverick’s eyes connect with mine across the parking lot. As we continue to hold each other’s gaze, my heart beats faster. Reporters have their microphones in Maverick’s face as he ignores the questions being tossed at him. Maverick breaks eye contact with me as the trio walks into the school.
I hear the whispers as I walk in the hall, but it doesn’t bother me. These motherfuckers know better than to approach me directly.
“You good?” Nix asks me.
“I’m cool,” I say as I roll my neck.
John is still in jail. Most likely his bail will be denied. His charges are too severe. I knew what the backlash would be once I opened this particular can of worms, but it had to be done. I’m ready to face whatever I need to.
Seeing Cocoa made this situation more bearable. Damn, I miss her. I wanted to walk over to Cocoa and take her in my arms. She looked like an angel across the parking lot, with the sun behind her, lighting her caramel-colored hair.
When I reach my locker, Mr. Green is waiting for me.
So the bullshit begins.
“Maverick, can you follow me to my office, please?” Mr. Green asks.
When I enter Mr. Green’s office, there are several people inside. The sheriff, a woman I don’t know, and Uncle Tim, my mother’s twin.
