Page 102 of You're the Reason

Why hadn’t she said anything on their phone call?

The door to the rec center opened, and after a long pause, a hesitant Zane walked in. His hands were shoved in the front pocked of an oversized hoodie, and he shuffled toward them, gaze down.

“What’s going on?” Seth finally asked. The kid was clearly not dressed for a workout.

“I wanted to say I was sorry.” The words came out mumbled and rushed together.

Seth walked around the desk and stood in front of the kid and waited for him to look up. When he did, there was fear in his eyes.

Seth nodded. “It’s time to put childish ways aside, Zane. Stand up and say it like you really mean it. Unless you don’t.”

The kid lifted his chin and drew a slow breath. This time keeping his gaze fixed on Seth. “I am really sorry.”

Seth patted his shoulder. “I forgive you. I’m just glad you listened to your conscience and came forward in the end.”

Seth walked to the other side of the desk.

“But I didn’t.” Zane’s boyish tone was back.

Seth crossed his arms over his chest and studied the boy. “What do you mean? You did come forward.”

“No, I mean I didn’t listen to my conscience. I listened to Grace.”

Grace?

The one word had the power to knock the wind out of him. He dropped into the chair and leaned forward on his knees. “What are you talking about?”

Zane’s eyes darted between Nate and Seth. “I ... I thought she told you.”

Nate settled into a chair then nudged one closer to Zane. “Why don’t you tell us.”

“I went to Susie’s show that morning they were dancing in the gazebo. As soon as it was over, Grace cornered me and asked me all these questions about Gabe, about the cash box, about the ...” The kid looked at his feet a moment then back up. “...about the drugs.”

“And?” Seth’s ears were pounding so loud he could barely focus on the kid.

“She had me in circles, and I couldn’t keep my own lie straight. Once I told her the truth, she told me if I didn’t come forward, that she would.” He stood and walked closer to Seth. “I was really mad at the time but now ... I really am sorry.”

Seth nodded but his mind was completely on Grace. She’d unraveled the truth out of Zane? He looked at Nate, who had an eyebrow raised, and Seth just wanted to bang his head against the cement wall. He’d been wrong. Grace was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he had tossed her away because she’d failed him. Or at least he’d thought she had.

“Call her.” Nate stood next to the desk.

“And say what?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe you’ll know when you hear her voice, but I have a feeling things aren’t done with you two, and at the very least you need to talk.”

Seth nodded and tapped her name. It rang a few times before she picked up.

“Hello?” Her soft voice was full of uncertainty.

“Hi.” The silence stretched. He looked to Nate for help, but the space where he’d stood was empty. He noted that Zane was missing too, just as the main door clicked shut in the distance.

“Seth, I have to get ready, so if?—”

“You’re the one who convinced Zane to come forward.”

There was a long pause and some shuffling on the other end. He almost had given up on her speaking when there was a sigh. “Yeah, I was.”

“You did believe me.”

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