Page 98 of Finish Line

“We’re good.”

We head over to the sectional and take a seat.

Luke returns, passing out beers to everyone.

As he settles in next to me, Ricky leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees and his fingers steepled. “So, what’s been going on with you that stopped you from calling us?”

Luke stiffens, and I run my hand down my face.

At that point, Nick steps outside, and sensing what is happening, he joins us.

“Hey, Nick.” Ricky stands up and shakes his hand.

“I’m about to tell them about Roger.”

Nick’s lips press together, and he nods. “Do you mind if we stay?”

“No.” Luke and Nick take a seat on either side of me.

Taking a deep breath, I tell them about Roger, how I met him in Ashland, how we parted ways, and how he ended up in jail.

Matt nods as if something clicks in his brain. “When we first hung out, you were jumpy. Always looking over your shoulder.”

“Yeah, her eyes were always scanning for something,” Ricky agrees. “I guess we know why. So, he’s still in jail?”

Nick takes over the explanation at this point. “No. I did some digging and found a report that said he died in a stabbing at the jail, but that was a fake report.”

Billy, Mark, and Ricky stiffen, and their brows pinch. I tell them everything that led up to the day he took me, including how I left with him, leaving Nick tied up.

Ricky runs his hands through his hair. “Why did you go with him, Shelby?”

“He took Hannah and Cam. He told me Cam was hurt, and that if I didn’t go with him, he’d kill Cam.” I reach for Ricky. “You would have done the same.”

Letting out a sigh, Ricky scrubs the back of his neck. “You’re right. I would. Did you help get Cam out?”

I nod before I tell them the rest of the sordid tale, leaving out what Evan did to me and how I escaped.

“A month? He held you for a month?” Mark stands up, but Ricky pulls him back down.

I nod. “When I got out of the hospital and back home, things were rough. The guys, except Cam, who was recuperating at home, were still hypnotized. Peter and Nick understood that I needed time to deal with everything. I was struggling with nightmares, and people touching me freaked me out. But my mom… She pushed and pushed, not listening to me when I told her I wasn’t ready for something. And Cin fell into step with Mom.”

This surprises the guys.

“I was at the end of my rope. So, I asked a friend for help. I left in the middle of the night and hopped on a plane to a house in Hawaii.”

Ricky lets out a whistle. “Wow, that’s a nice place to get your head on straight.”

I chuckle. “Yes, it was.”

I explain to them about my time in Hawaii and how Cam, and then the others, had helped me heal.

“We got back in yesterday,” I finish. “I’m still working on everything, including taking care of myself. And as you saw, I’m trying to get back in shape.”

“From what I saw, you’re not far off from what you used to be,” Billy says. “You’re out of breath quicker, but your stamina is close.”

“Thanks, Billy. I did a lot of running while I was there, mostly to escape, but also because I needed to become stronger.” I look at them. “So, how have you guys been? Billy told me he met someone.”

“I have some news,” Ricky says.

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