Page 104 of The Second Kiss
I suck in a breath.
“You don’t have to appear in court after all. I just spoke to Mr. Wilson’s attorney. They’re dropping the complaint against you, and the DA won’t be pursuing the case against you or Sergeant Ricks any further.”
I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around what he’s saying. “What? Why?”
“In light of new evidence. Alexandra Bates signed a statement corroborating your story about the party. She admits she purchased the date-rape drug for Brad and watched him put it in your drink and then hand it to you.”
“Lexie?” I shake my head. Turns out she was strong enough.
He pauses. “There’s more. Besides assault charges for what he did to you, Mr. Wilson is facing date rape charges relating to an incident with her. And there’s talk that the girl at the university will be going forward with her complaint because of the evidence presented here. There isn’t any proof in either case, but it’s enough to stop him coming after you for now. I’m sure the DA will contact you if they decide to pursue charges against him. Have a good day, Jessica. Congratulations on your graduation."
I hang up the phone and set it on the bathroom counter. I’m not even sure if I said goodbye or thank you to Mr. Harris.
Mom is watching me.
“No court today,” I say.
“I know. He talked to me before I gave you the phone.” Mom reaches out and pulls me against her chest. “I’m so glad. This is great news. Let’s celebrate. I made crepes.”
I back away. My stomach cramps and rolls. “I’m not hungry.”
“Are you okay, Jess?”
“I need to go for a run.” The room feels too close. I have to get outside.
Mom looks worried, but she lets me go. I get dressed, grab my headphones, and drive to a little trail in the woods, far away from where I used to run with Brad. I turn my headphones up loud and run hard, but I can’t block out the guilt. My head is full ofLexie hurt because of me, because I was too stupid to speak up.Tiny Lexie, the girl I hated through all of middle school and high school. I was no match for Brad. Jacob almost got his skull bashed in by him. What must he have done to her?
When I reach the end of the trail, I turn around and run it again. By the third time, my legs are screaming, my breath is coming in gasps, and nausea rolls through my stomach. I lean over and retch, but nothing comes. I kneel on the ground with my head against the tree; the world spins underneath me.
A hand on my arm makes me jump up and scream. I reach for the mace that I keep fastened to my waist, but it isn’t there. I forgot to bring it.
Then I realize it’s Jacob.
“Do you always run like this? By yourself in the woods, and with your music up so loud? It’s not safe.”
I jerk my earbuds out. “I don’t need you to lecture me on what’s safe and not safe!”
He steps back, as if he's afraid of me. “Sorry, I just—"
“What are you even doing here?”
“I was already on my way to your house when your mom called. I saw your car pull out of the driveway, so I followed you.”
“You’ve been here the whole time?” I can't stop yelling at him. “Watching me kill myself on this trail?”
“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” He puts his hand on my shoulder.
I'm shaking, every ounce of strength is gone. I slide down the tree and sit in a heap, wishing the ground would swallow me up. “I’m not.”
“Not okay?” Jacob sits down next to me.
I can only bury my face in my hands and shake my head.
He puts his arms around me. “Your mom told me we don’t have to go to court. That’s good news.”
I throw my head back against the tree. “Why does everyone keep saying that? Good news. There is nothing good about this.”
“You’re alive,” he says. “Brad will probably go to jail. You’re safe.”
