Page 123 of Home With You

"Yes. I'll do it."

The officer nods and jots something down.

"Were they really, um, dating?" I ask. "That girl and Rob?"

"Her texts make it appear so. We'll find out for sure when we run some tests."

"What tests?"

"She was pregnant. We think it was his. If it was, we just added statutory rape to Mr. Marchisis' charges."

"How old was she?" I ask.

"Sixteen. Damn shame. She had a lot going for her. Good student. Head cheerleader. Star of her soccer team. Then some man comes along and ruins her life."

He almost ruined mine too. But he didn't. He tried, but he didn't succeed. I have a second chance. That girl didn't. And because of that, I'm not going to spend another second feeling sorry for myself. No more waiting to get my life on track. I have a second chance and I'm not going to waste it.

Miles and I go back to his apartment. When I get in the door, I stand there, suddenly realizing what just happened. It didn't seem real until just now.

"Come here." Miles pulls me farther into the room and into his arms. "You did great today. Why don't you go take a long hot shower and then we'll go get something to eat."

"I'm not hungry." My head falls on his shoulder. "I'm so tired."

"You want go up and sleep?"

"I can't. Every time I close my eyes I see Rob there with that look on his face. The same look he had that day he tried to kill me."

"He's never going to hurt you again. He has multiple charges against him. He'll be locked up for a long time."

"But he has money. He'll hire the best lawyers. They'll find a way to get him free."

"Not if there's enough evidence against him." Miles looks me in the eye. "No matter what happens, he's not getting near you. Never again. For now, let's try not to guess what's going to happen."

I nod. "I'm going to take a shower."

The hot water feels good, but it doesn't feel hot enough to wash away Rob's touch on my skin. I used to think I loved him and now he repulses me. How could I have been that wrong about someone?

"Raine, you okay in there?" Miles asks as he knocks on the bathroom door. I've been in the shower forever and am just now toweling off.

"I'm fine." I open the door and see he's changed out of his suit, wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

"You want to shower?" I ask.

"I will later. We need to get going."

"Miles, I don't want to go anywhere. I'm tired and I just want to—actually I don't know what I want to do. I'm still worked up from what happened. I can't seem to relax."

"That's why we're going. You'll feel better when we get there."

"What are you talking about? Where are we going?"

He smiles. "To see Gladys."

I smile back. "Really? You called Zoe?"

"I told her what happened. Well, not everything, but she knows the basics. She invited us to dinner. But we need to get going if we're going to make it there in time."

"I'll go get dressed." I dart past him, then turn back and hug him. "Thank you."

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