"It is if it's the person you love." I look down. "I don't have anyone left. My mom's gone. My dad took off. The only person I have left in my life that matters is you."
"I feel the same way about you." He lifts my face up to his. "Which is why I can't let you waste your life waiting to find out what happens to me. If they lock me away, it could be years before I get out. Maybe I never would."
"That's not going to happen. You have the best lawyers. Your dad is rich and powerful. He'd find a way to get you out."
"Rumor, I'm serious. I want you to at least think about—"
"Just stop!" I say, getting up. "I'm not thinking about it. I'm not ready to, so just stop talking about it."
He stands up and gives me a hug.
For the rest of the night we don't talk about the case. We eat our pizza, watch TV in my room, and I fall asleep in his arms. When I wake up at midnight he's gone but there's a text from him on my phone.
I love you.
I text back.I love you too.
My mind goes back to what he said earlier. About what my future will be like if he ends up being convicted for Kristen's murder. Would I wait for him to get out of prison? What if he never got out?
It's something I don't want to think about. I know I'll have to eventually but not now.
When I wake up again, it's morning and Brock is knocking on my door. "Rumor?"
"Yeah, I'm up!" I yell back.
"Hurry and get ready. Trystan had to leave early. I'm taking you today."
It's strange we're even having school today. I thought for sure it'd be cancelled after the death of a classmate who is also the principal's daughter.
After my shower, Jackson calls as I'm hurrying to get dressed.
"Hey, sorry I snuck out last night but I didn't want to wake you up."
"That's fine," I say. "Are you at practice?"
"I'm off the team, at least for now. Coach called early this morning. Said I'm too much of a distraction. They don't want news cameras and reporters showing up on the field and interrupting practice."
"Can't the school ban them from coming on campus?"
"I don't know, but it doesn't matter. That's just an excuse to kick me off the team. The real reason is they don't want me around. They don't want me in school either. They've asked that I do homeschooling while all this is going on."
"What'd you tell them?"
"I said I'd do it. I don't want to be there, making people uncomfortable. People already avoided me after Andrea died and now I'm being accused again."
"None of that is your fault. You're being punished for something you didn't do. It's not fair. Braden's allowed to keep going to school."
"It's a private school and the parents don't want to believe he did anything. They want him to keep playing football and winning games. That's all they care about."
"Legion cares about winning games and you're their star player."
"I've taught the guys what they need to know to win. They can do it without me."
Brock bangs on my door. "Rumor, let's go! I have to get back for a meeting."
I sigh. "I have to go."
"Have a good day. Let me know when you're home."
