“I couldn’t tell you.” Her words come out choppy, diluted behind her cries. “And I’ve hated myself because you never would have gone to that party if I had.”
“Hey. Look at me, Gracie.” I cup her cheek. “That’s not your fault, and I got away. Okay? I’m fine. And we won’t let him break us. He’ll pay. I promise.”
She sniffles and shakes her head. “No, he won’t. None of them will.”
I frown at that. “None of who?”
She opens her clutch and removes a tissue to wipe her eyes. “I reported him. And they protected him. What’s worse is that they never even opened an investigation. Instead, they cornered me in that office, by myself, with a bunch of men who clearly didn’t mean me well.”
She drops her chin to her chest, fiddling with the clasps on her bag.
“I was iced out of my own friend group. Kids I’ve known my entire life sided with him. They didn’t realize it, but none of them questioned why I’d been so isolated, so different. They just hang out with the guy who violated me, and I have to watch it every day. He told Christina that I came on to him, and shebelieved him. We were best friends, and she took his word over mine.”
And now I know the issue between the two of them. Sadly, it doesn’t surprise me because she did the same with me. Although I didn’t have a relationship with her to feel the level of betrayal Gracie does.
“The reason I didn’t want to come here tonight is because whatever you guys find on that drive isn’t going to be good. There’s going to be stuff about my father that changes everything. Bad things, Sam. Things I only know an ounce about because Mr. Kincaid and Chancellor Williamsburg threatened to expose secrets that could ruin my father’s life. Pursue these rape allegations, and they’ll leak what they have to the press. Or, choose to protect my father’s legacy, and they’ll ensure Jackson never hurts anyone else.”
“Oh my God, Gracie.”
“And I’m supposed to be spying on you, too.”
I frown.
“But I didn’t. I wouldn’t. You have to know that.”
I don’t know how to explain it, but I do. From the day we met, I’ve sensed her genuineness toward me.
“I believe you.”
She nods while fighting back tears. “My dad’s been a good man my whole life. But the things the chancellor claims he was a part of… I can’t reconcile that with the dad I know. So, I’ve been avoiding it, trying not to hate him.”
So that’s why their conversation seemed so awkward earlier.
I pull her in for another hug, whispering over and over that it’ll be okay. But the truth is, I’m not sure I believe it. I’ve had my suspicions that Chancellor Williamsburg had something to hide, for him to go to the lengths he has to scare me. It’s got to be bad.But we deserve the truth, because whatever it is, all of our moms were involved.
“Listen to me. We’ve got the files, and we’ll figure it out together. And I promise you. Jackson will never hurt anyone else again. Want to know how I know?”
Gracie doesn’t respond; she only looks at me.
Pulling my phone out of my purse, I unlock the screen and pull up my camera roll. I switch down the volume just to be safe, press play, and hand her the phone. Her eyes grow wider as she watches the poorly angled video. He’s not fully in the frame, but enough of his profile is visible and I made sure to say his name loud and clear. At first, I just pressed record for myself, because if he attacked me again, they wouldn’t be able to argue irrefutable proof. What I didn’t know at the time was that what I was getting was a confession.
“This is your proof, so you can finally make him pay for what he did to you.”
Her breath catches as she fights to keep her composure. With each hitch, she nods, the weight visibly lifting off her shoulders.
“Thank you,” she whispers and hugs me again.
“Do you want to go?”
She nods.
“Let’s do that. I’ll tell the boys that we’re leaving, and I’ll meet them back at the lake house.”
We take a moment for her to get herself together and then head back to the party. Along the way, I text our group chat.
Sam:Gracie and I are going to head out. I’ll meet you all back at your place.
A second later, my phone buzzes.
