Page 90 of The Lake of Lost Girls

He looked between Ryan and me, his emotions torn. “Jess, please … I’m sorry.”

Ryan put his hands on my dad’s chest and shoved him backward. My dad stumbled. He looked like he wanted to cry. He looked broken.

“Get out of here!” Ryan yelled.

My father seemed conflicted, but with a final look at Ryan, he got in the van.

“What the hell was that all about?” Ryan was still angry, but he softened at the sight of my despondent expression. “Hey, it’s okay.” He put his arms around me and I pressed my face into his solid warmth, crying for the first time in as long as I could remember.

“Sometimes I hate him, Ryan. I really hate him,” I sobbed, feeling ashamed of the words. I was being torn in two. The bone deep love was being quashed by harsher, more savage emotions.

He ran his hands up and down my back. “Wanna tell me about it?”

The desire to unload everything was tempting.

I wiped my face and pulled away. “I’m fine. It’s only family drama.”

Ryan glanced in the direction my dad had driven off. “That looked like more than simple family drama, Jess.” He sounded worried.

“I have a complicated relationship with my Dad.” I sighed. “We’ve always been close. He was my best friend.There were no secrets between us … until there were.” I closed my eyes. “He’s cheating on my mom.”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “Crap, for real? That’s a lot to carry around with you.” He hugged me tighter and I breathed a little easier.

It seemed like he wanted to ask more questions.

“No, we’re not talking about this,” I said firmly, “come on, let’s go watch some really bad daytime tv and take my mind off all the ways my life sucks.”

“Except for me, right?” Ryan asked, sounding vulnerable.

“Except for you,” I agreed and forced myself to be normal, at least for a little while.

Ten Seconds to Vanish: The Unsolved Disappearanceof Jessica Fadley

Episode 10

The Interview

Stella:Hi all my true crime babes. Thanks for tuning in for another week of twists and turns and absolute madness! I’m your host Stella—

Rachel:And I’m Rachel

Stella:And this isTen Seconds to Vanish: The Unsolved Disappearance of Jessica Fadley.

*Theme music plays*

Rachel:Today’s episode is a big one because we have a special guest here with us. Someone who can give us firsthand insight into what it was like at Southern State University back then. Someone who knew all four of the victims.

Stella:We’d like to introduce Erica Stead. Hi Erica. Thanks so much for getting in touch and agreeing to come on our show.

Erica:Hi ladies. I absolutely love your podcast. I knew you two were the perfect ones to share my story with.

Rachel:And we’re so glad you decided to. Because, girl, you’ve got quite the story to tell.

Erica:I’ll say. I’m so thankful I’m here at all to talk to you.

Stella:Oh my god, of course. Because you could have been a victim, too!

Erica:Well, not really.Iwasn’t sleeping with my married professor.

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