Page 11 of In the Air Tonight

And they think I’m a slut, which is what they’d say about me if I accused him.

I saw a movie once about a girl who reported a rape and had her own life torn apart by the guy’s friends and family. That would happen here, too. That’s why I didn’t go straight to the police like I should have.

It would be my word against Ryder Elliott’s, even if I’d bothered to preserve the evidence.

They’d tear me apart.

Blaise

THEN

The day after, we’re due at my grandmother’s house for a long-planned family reunion that I’ve been looking forward to for months. I don’t get to see my cousins very often, and most of them will be there.

I can’t get out of bed.

Teagan comes to the door, her expression stormy. “What the hell are you doing? Everyone is waiting for you.”

“I’m sick.”

“So am I, but I’m going.”

“I can’t.”

“What the hell, Blaise? You helped to plan this stupid thing. And now you don’t want to go?”

“I do want to. I’m sick.”

“What’s going on, girls?” Mom frowns when she sees me still in bed. “Get up, Blaise. We’re due at Gran’s in thirty minutes.”

“I’m still sick from last night.”

Mom feels my forehead. “You do feel a little warm.”

“She’sfaking,” Teagan says.

“Hush,” Mom replies. “That’s your thing, not hers.”

Teagan makes a nasty face at me.

“Are you sure you can’t go, honey?” Mom asks. “You’ve been so looking forward to it. The photographer is coming to take a picture of the whole family.”

She’s crushed when she realizes I won’t be in the photo, but I can’t rally, even for her.

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

“It’s okay. You haven’t been sick in ages. I suppose you were due.”

Now I feel doubly guilty for lying to her.

“Tell everyone I said hello, and I’m sorry to miss it.”

“I will.” She leans in to kiss my cheek. “Can I get you anything before I go?”

The thought of eating anything, ever again, makes me sick. “No, thanks.”

“I’ll bring you back some of Gran’s brownies.”

“That sounds good.” I choke back more bile. “Thanks.”

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