"I have an idea, but wouldn't be able to prove it. Mr. Andrews–Paul, there's something Emma has been keeping from you and you have a right to know."
And so I told him, from the beginning, without holding back. From the day at the cabin when she'd seen all Bianca and Jake's texts, to Bianca's harassment and Emma breaking her nose. Then I dove into me getting her out of jail and moving in with me after Jake had kicked her out, to the texts I thought I'd stopped. Paul listened, his mouth gaping open, taking it all in.
"She didn't want to tell you because she was worried how disappointed you'd be. That it would wreck your friendship with Jake's brother."
He shook his head, leaned back in his chair and let out a deep breath. "I knew something wasn't right with her and Jake. I just assumed it had to do with you, I had no idea it was all about this girlfriend of Jake's. I have so many questions, and I don't know where to start."
"I didn't want to be the one to tell you, but I figured that if it came from me, it would be easier for her."
"And Jake just kicked her out?"
"Yes. He called me because he knew we'd formed a friendship. He told me to get her from jail, pick up her stuff and basically get her out of his life."
"Ron couldn't possibly know."
"Jake pressured Emma to keep it a secret."
Paul's face hardened. "What a piece of shit. I've always been so good to that kid, trusted him, but some girl comes along and he does this to Emma?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Thank you, Zach. I'd like to go see Emma now."
We went back to her floor and that's when I spotted Jake, wandering the halls. I marched towards him and when he saw me he was about to speak, but he must have seen something in my eyes. He took a few steps back and that's when something came over me, pure rage. It clouded my judgment and when I picked up my pace, Paul came after me and got between us just as I was about to throw a punch.
"Hey, we don't need this," Paul said. "Zach, you'll get thrown out of here."
"You're not seeing her!" I yelled.
Jake's shoulders sunk. "Do you think I wanted this to happen?"
"You didn't do anything to stop it," I seethed.
"Everyone relax and keep your voices down," Paul said, pushing me back a few steps.
"She said she didn't do it," Jake said.
I tried to get at him again, but Paul grabbed me, shaking me for second. "Zach, get it together. Do you need to go outside and cool off?"
I put up my arms. "I'm fine."
Paul turned to Jake. "I'm not sure why you came here. I learned today that you turned your back on my daughter months ago when she needed you most. She was all alone here, with no one and you promised me you'd take care of her. What happened to you? I thought you were a good kid."
"Paul, it got a little out of hand. I didn't know what was going on. She said she didn't do it, that she had nothing to do with it . . . I know she's lying." He started to cry. I wanted to laugh, but he was too pathetic. "I'm so sorry. I would have never let this happen to her."
"What you did was worse," I said. "She loved you! She would have done anything for you."
Jake's bloodshot blue eyes stared at me, defeated. "I guess now you've replaced me. You don't know how lucky you are. I'd do anything to fix this. I would!"
"I think the best thing you can do right now is leave. If she wants to see you, she'll let you know," Paul said. "In the meantime, you might want to tell Ron about this. Now get out of here before I sock you one myself."
"I'm so sorry," he said one last time before slithering down the hallway and into the elevator.
Paul turned to me. "I'm going in to see Emma. Let's not tell her about this until we know she's ready."
"Yes, of course."
He went in her room and I sat in the waiting area. It was then I saw Emma's text from earlier that night. So happy and full of excitement. I may have told Emma it was over, but Bianca would pay.
Chapter Thirty-four
Emma
I cried when I saw Dad. He pulled up a chair and gave me a kiss on the cheek. His bottom lip was quivering a bit, but he managed to keep composed.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been run over."
"The doctor says you'll be just fine. Do you want to come home? Have Grandpa and I take care of you?"
"I don't want to miss school, especially with exams coming."
He squeezed my hand. "I'm sure Zach will take good care of you."
"He always does, although we'll be eating takeout for the next few days."
Dad smiled but I could see that more was going on. "Kiddo, don't be mad, but Zach told me everything. About Jake and that girlfriend of his."
I felt my inside cave, yet a part of me was relieved. "I didn't know how to tell you."
"It doesn't matter. I know now. But you better promise to never keep something like that from me again."
"I didn't want to ruin your friendship with Uncle Ron."
"Ron and I are tight. This won't change a thing."
"Jake really hurt me, Dad. I don't care about Bianca, but Jake let me down."
"I know," he said, rubbing my hand. "Jake was here, but we sent him home. He seemed pretty sorry. Now when you go home, if you want to talk to him, that's your business, but I wanted you to know."
Jake had been the furthest person from my thoughts. I didn't care about him.
"Zach offered me a place to stay tonight, so we're going to go. It's getting late and you need your rest. We'll be back in the morning with some breakfast. You cannot eat hospital food."
"Thanks, Dad. I love you."
"Sweetie, I love you too."
~~~~~~~
The police interviewed me the next morning for less than five minutes. I told them I didn't know who attacked me because, in part, that was true. I didn't see Bianca or the other two people, and I couldn't identify her by voice. And even if I did know it was Bianca, I wanted this over. She got her eye for an eye.
Genie, Dad, Zach, Grandpa and Wendy piled into my room the next morning with breakfast from a fast food place. I didn't care since it was better than the slop they served at the hospital. Genie brought a change of clothes and Grandpa and Wendy gave me a box of chocolates. Dr. Lewis assured me that I'd be sprung by lunch so we all waited around chatting.
Genie got me alone when everyone else had gone for coffee.
"Probably inappropriate, but your dad is hot."
I stifled a laugh more so because it hurt. "Yeah, that's a bit gross."
"He's movie star hot. When Zach brought him home last night I couldn't stop drooling. I almost wet myself."
"Genie, we're talking about my dad," I said fighting back a giggle.
"Is he single?"
"Yes, but he doesn't date much."
"Does he date younger women?"
"Genie, totally gross now."
"I'm just curious. I wouldn't follow through or anything."
I was having a hard time believing that.
I had more visitors. First Helen, who'd found out from Frank. Turns out he was a member at the club and an acquaintance of Helen's.
"You look like hell, partner," she said, giving me a gentle hug.
"Thanks, I think."
"I bet you fought like hell. Any idea who it was?"
"No."
"Did they steal anything?"
"No. Just some random attack."
"I'm glad you're fine. Make sure to take it easy. I need my partner back as soon as she's ready."
Next came Andrea and Lucy. Our visit was cut short when Uncle Ron called. I was nervous talking to him, knowing that he probably knew everything now. I was glad to be alone for the call. The last thing I needed was an audience.
"Hi, Uncle Ron."
"Hey there, how you doing, Emma?" His always cheerful voice was tentative.
"I'm doing fine."
He cleared his throat. "You're
dad called last night. Emma . . . I'm gutted. I wish I'd known."
"Really, it's okay," I said as my eyes welled up with tears. I couldn't stop the heaviness that had descended in my voice.
"She's never welcome in our home again. I told Jake that."
"Uncle Ron, I want it over. I don't want anyone to continue fighting. As long as she leaves me alone, I'll leave her alone."
"I can respect that. Paul mentioned that you'll be home next weekend. I'd like to come see you if that's all right. I want you to know we all love you."
I grabbed a crappy hospital tissue, the kind that resemble a loofah, and dabbed my eyes. "I'd love to see you too."
"Ah, don't cry," he said. "I don't want to make you cry."
"It's happy tears," I said.
"So I'll see you soon. Tell your dad I'm bringing burgers and fries from Harriet's."
"I will."
We ended the call and I composed myself before everyone came flooding back into my room. I was released an hour later and insisted on going straight to the apartment. It would be at least a week before my face was back to normal and I didn't want to have to explain what had happened. Zach was going to visit my professors and tell them what happened. He made me go through taking pictures just in case they needed more evidence. He promised to delete them when it was all over.
"Are you sure you don't want us to stay?" Dad asked after dinner. The apartment was a hub of people and normally I would have reveled in it, but my throbbing head would have none of it.
"I'll be fine and if I need anything, I know who to call."
"And we'll see you this weekend?" Dad asked Zach.
"Absolutely."
"I'd love to come too," Genie offered.
I was going to have to warn Dad about her.
I walked them to the door, giving each one a big hug. Despite what Bianca had done to me, I had everyone I loved around me. She couldn't take that from me.
Chapter Thirty-five
Zach
I waited for Bianca. According to Becca, she had a psych class and Becca was kind enough to tell me where and when. If nothing else, I knew when to lay on the charm and Becca was more than willing to give up what she knew.
I leaned up against the wall, my arms crossed over my chest and tried not to flip out. If Bianca thought I was going to let this slide, she had another thing coming. My only concern was making sure it didn't get back to Emma.
I checked my watch. Her class would end any second. I tapped my foot as rage boiled up inside me. If Bianca had been a guy, I would have pummeled her into next week.
The door to her class opened and a few students filed out. Bianca soon followed, alone, just the way I wanted it. She didn't see me until I was walking along side her.
She jumped when she saw me. "Oh, great, what do you want?" she muttered.
"We're going to talk."
"I have class." She sounded bored, like I was keeping her from doing her nails or something.
"I guess you'll have to miss it."
She stopped and faced me. I saw a scratch on her neck, mostly healed, but a reminder of what she'd done. She caught me looking at it and turned her head the other way.
"Look, I don't have to talk to you. I think you should leave me alone."
I stepped closer to her. If it intimidated her, I didn't give a shit. "We're talking." I motioned to an empty classroom and she reluctantly went inside.
"You're not closing the door," she said. "You do that, and I bolt."
"Fine. We can talk with it open."
I stared at her and she stared back, her pale blue eyes refusing to give an inch. "If you don't get to the point, I'm out of here," she said.
I inhaled deeply. I hated her. "We had a deal."
"I didn't touch her."
My hands balled into fists. "Bianca, we're past lying."
"I don't know what happened to her and I had nothing to do with it."
"Is that how this is going to go? You went too far, Bianca. I told you what the consequences would be. But if you want to play, I'm game, but don't come crying to me later. You asked for it."
She chuckled. "I'm not scared of you."
Her confidence enraged me further. "You willing to risk it?" I asked, moving in closer. We were inches apart now, and she took a step back into one of the tables but caught herself before stumbling.
"You can cut the act. You'll never share that video. I know that and so do you."
So that was it all along? She thought I wouldn't make good on my threat? I smiled, which caught her off guard. The first crack in her foundation. "Yeah, I'm going to share it. And I'm going to do it right now. I'll even send you a copy if you want. And to your parents too. I'm sure they'd love to see it."
"You post that video and it hurts you just as much as it hurts me. And what about your precious girlfriend? You don't think she's going to know you're in it? That she won't recognize you?"
"Here's the thing. I'm the only one with a copy and I've edited it. Pretty simple these days. No one's going to know I was ever in it. And if I remember correctly, you're the star. The main attraction. Enjoy the fall out, Bianca."
I turned to leave and she ran after me, grabbing my arm. Her cold expression was replaced by wide-eyed fear. Desperation was ugly on her. "You wouldn't."
"You broke our deal," I seethed. "The only reason I came here is to give you one last chance, Bianca. And you know why? Because Emma wants me to forget about it. Call it even. Move on. But I can't do that because I have no idea what else you have planned. Here's the thing: if I had my way, I'd ruin your fucking life! And what have you done since the moment I got here? You challenged me? Are you serious?"
"People think you've changed. You haven't changed a bit," she spat. "You're the same asshole you've always been."
"I guess you bring out the worst in me."
She swallowed hard. "I know what you've been up to. You're telling people that I beat her up. My friends are turning their backs on me. Everyone is turning their backs on me. That's because of you!"
I shook my head. "What are you talking about? I haven't told anyone. Don't you think they assumed it? Who else would hurt her? I guess Jake finally dumped your sorry ass?"
She started hyperventilating. "She's ruining my life. You are ruining my life," she said, pointing her finger at me.
Bianca went from bravado to all out panic in less than a minute. She made me sick. "No, you ruined your life. What was it about Emma that threatened you so much? You had Jake, you got her kicked out of her apartment, nearly cost her the job she loved, what more did you need from her? A pound of fucking flesh?" My voice was rising now. I took a few steps back to regroup.
"I wanted–" she stopped. Whatever she was going to say, she clammed up. "I'm done with her, I promise." Her voice drifted to a whisper. "Please, don't share the video."
"How do I know I can trust you? You're not exactly a woman of your word."
"I'm done with her, okay! I'm done," she shrieked. "Do you want it in blood?"
She seemed to be losing it, but with Bianca, I couldn't know for sure. She was an aspiring actress. What a joke. "Let me make sure you understand this. If you call, text, contact Emma in anyway, I post the video. I won't give it a second thought. And I certainly won't give you any warning. I'll make sure to send a copy to all your friends and family. You're dad wants to be a judge, don't forget that. This video will end any chance of that."
She slumped down in one of the chairs and nodded. "I hate you," she said, her voice having lost its fight.
"I feel the same way about you."
"What's it about her?" she asked as I was leaving. "What is so fucking special about a small-town freak?"
I looked back at her, catching her wipe a single tear from her face. I didn't feel an ounce of sympathy. "You really want to know? I'll tell you. She's nothing like you.”
Chapter Thirty-six
Emma
One
thing I knew for sure was that cracked ribs hurt more than a separated shoulder. At least with a shoulder you could get immediate relief, but cracked ribs gave me a constant reminder that it hurt to breath. But a week after the attack, my face had healed nicely and I'd gone back to classes. I'd even started cooking again because the thought of anymore takeout Chinese food, pizza or burgers turned my stomach.
I was puttering around the kitchen Friday night making a stir-fry with double the amount of vegetables, a food group that had been lacking in my diet, when the buzzer sounded. Zach popped his head into the kitchen.
"Asswipe is here. Do you want to talk to him?"
I stopped tossing the vegetables. Jake? He'd sent me flowers and a card, but why come around? "Uh, sure, I guess."
Zach frowned. "You don't have to."
"I know."
I gave Zach some quick instructions and told him not to come out of the kitchen. I didn't want a fight. I let Jake in and he stared at the last of the bruising on my face and bristled.
"Hey, Emma. I thought I'd see how you're doing."
"I'm doing better. Thanks for the flowers." My voice held no excitement like it once would have.
"It's the least I could do. I wanted to come by and apologize for what happened. I know it's just words, but I'm so sorry. I know I screwed up our friendship over a girl . . . we broke up. I broke up with her. When I found out what she did I told her it was over. I figured so much time passed that she'd forgotten about it . . . don't hate me, Emma."
"I don't hate you," I said. Strangely, I didn't feel much. There wasn't any tugging at my heart strings or remorse at our lost friendship. Nothing.
"I hope one day we can be friends again."
His blue eyes were welling up with tears and still I felt no emotion. "Jake, I forgive you, but we can't be friends. Too much happened."
He nodded. "I understand," he said, choking out the words. "I know you're pissed so hopefully after some time passes you could reconsider?"
I nodded. "Maybe." I was placating him now.
"Don't be a stranger, okay?"
"I'm sure I'll see you around Pine Falls."
He turned and walked out. I went back into the kitchen to monitor Zach's progress. He hadn't burned anything yet. I took a second to watch him thoughtfully follow all my instructions, careful not to make a mistake. Yes, this was where I wanted to be. A couple of days at a cabin, a place I'd never wanted to go to in the first place, changed the course of my life. It brought me to this place, brought me to Zach. Sure, there had been an awful lot of bumps along the way, but they'd been worth it.
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