Page 170 of Saving the Halfback

Ethan took my hand and Nolan stepped closer, so our shoulders were touching. I could see Chase and Lachlan tense, ready for a fight.

“Nothing,” the officer said. “Not yet.” I nearly collapsed, but Ethan and Nolan grabbed me.

“She thought you were going to take her,” Chase clarified.

The officer stepped forward. “You thought we would arrest you?” she asked. I nodded. “No, you did nothing wrong, honey. You know, what happened was terrible, but it wasn’t your fault. We are going to make sure he pays for this, okay?” All I could do was nod again. “At some point, you will be called in for questioning, and you may have to testify, but we will get to that when we get there. I have some information, pamphlets. We do recommend you seek some medical help, all right?” She looked to his partner. “Hey! Can you go into my cruiser and take out that purple folder? I have it in the back in the file box.”

“Purple folder?” her partner asked.

“Yeah. Just bring the entire folder here.” The officer looked back to me. “Are you okay?” she asked. “We can get an ambulance for you.”

I leaned into Ethan. “No, I’m okay. Just trying to take it all in.”

“I understand. You’ve dealt with this for so long.” The partner came back in and handed the officer the purple folder. The officer pulled out a few pamphlets and a card. “Here, this is the number to a sexual trauma response team, okay? There are counselors, workers, and volunteers you can reach out to. Here is another place, and online help is available if you don’t want to go in and talk to anyone, and they are really good. This card is for a local place. They offer PTSD care for those who have been abused.”

“That’s who I go to,” Lachlan said. “They are nice people.”

The officer looked at him, saddened. “It’s difficult. So many people feel alone in this, but this care is available because so many have gone through it.” She looked over at my parents. “Mom, Dad, you okay?” the officer asked.

Dad didn’t say anything. “We just want to see that he gets arrested. We will be pressing charges as well.”

“Of course. I’ll head out now and put together the warrant. Just hang tight, and I will call when he is in custody, okay?”

“Thank you,” Mom said, shaking her hand.

My parents followed the officers out, and Ethan scooped me up into his arms. He brought me to the couch and sat down with me on his lap. I leaned against his chest. Lachlan sat next to him, scooping my legs onto his lap and holding them.

Nolan and Chase sat on the floor. Chase took the pamphlets from me and set them aside. “How are you really doing?” Nolan asked.

I ran my fingers through his hair. “I’m not going to jail.” Through the sadness in my soul, I smiled. “You have no ideawhat a relief that is.” I sniffled, wiping my face with my sleeve. “He’s going to be locked up, and I’m not going to jail.”

“Your dad isn’t happy.” Chase’s voice was quiet. “If he had it his way, he would be digging a grave.”

“I would be there, helping him,” Lachlan said. “He deserves the death penalty… after some suffering.” I shivered from the darkness in Lachlan’s voice; he meant every word of what he said.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you guys. I don’t want my dad to get in trouble. It’s done, it’s behind us now.” I shook my head. “Holy shit…it’s done.” I leaned over, capturing Chase’s lips with mine, and then leaning over to Nolan, who didn’t hesitate to accept his kiss. When it was Lachlan’s turn, he pulled me up and onto his lap, so I was straddling him. “I’m free.” I smiled at him.

“Proud of you.” His lips were soft and sweet. I didn’t want to stop. I didn’t want to let him go, but Ethan tapped my back, and I slipped off Lach’s lap just as my parents walked into the house.

Mom came into the room and Dad strode past, going right upstairs. “Are you guys staying the night?” she asked Nolan and Lachlan. For once, it was obvious she was hoping they wouldn’t, but she would never tell them they couldn’t.

“I have to get back home,” Nolan said.

“Yeah, same.” Lach stood up. “If you need anything, call us, all right?” I nodded. He held his knuckles out to Ethan, who bumped them and nodded. He would keep him updated.

Ethan and Chase got up and said goodnight to me before leaving the room.

“Bailey, given everything that’s happening, could you…will you please stay home from school tomorrow? I just want you home until they have him in custody,” Mom said.

“Yes.” I didn’t have to think about it.

Mom smiled, but it was sad, not quite reaching her eyes. I could see the tears she was holding back. “Okay, why don’t you get showered and ready for bed?”

I nodded and made my way to the stairs, stopping when I noticed her wipe a stray tear off her cheek. I paused for a moment, then turned to her. “Mom?” She looked at up at me. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Everyone keeps telling me it wasn’t my fault, I didn’t do anything wrong. But, Mom, neither did you.”

Her lips trembled, and she rushed over, wrapping me in a hug.

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