Page 47 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“Yes, you do. But this photo…there’s an explanation.”

“Fifteen years too late.”

Her throat constricted. Reaching for the note out of her back pocket she showed him. “It’s the same handwriting. I deserve a chance to explain.”

His expression switched from anger to one of confusion. “What? Who warned you about what?”

“For you to fully understand, I need to go back to the party on graduation night. Something happened.” She hugged herself—comforting herself. Even now, years later, that night was hard to discuss. “I need you to just hear me out and don’t interrupt until I’m finished.”

She proceeded to tell him everything.

Even about going to see Bend after she’d received the photos.

“I went to the hospital after Tuck’s urging and had an exam. There was no sign that I’d had sex, or had been sexually assaulted, but I did have a drug in my system. Whether this person penetrated me or not, he raped me. He stole my confidence. My peace. You,” she whispered the last word.

He blinked, his brows scrunching. His hands clenched into tight fists. “Who?” He paced the length of the barn as if he needed to work through the cobwebs.

“That’s the problem. I don’t know. There were at least a hundred partygoers there that night. No one sticks out as being suspicious. I made a list for Bend, but I think it’s going to be a lost cause. Sexual assault is not an easy crime to prove. That’s why many women don’t come forward.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he said once he stopped pacing a worn path in the dirt. “Did you think I wouldn’t understand?” Then he heaved a moan. “Sorry. I didn’t mean for that to come out as an accusation.”

“Rip, I didn’t tell you because I knew what you’d do. I knew what you and your brothers would have done. I couldn’t allow you to do anything that would get you into trouble.” Tears welled up in her eyes but she forced them away. Her days of crying over the past were over. Starting now. Today she would be liberated from the demons.

He took a step toward her but stopped within several feet as if invisible chains held him at bay. “I would have hunted that bastard to the ends of the earth to make him pay,” he gritted through clenched teeth.

Noelle had no doubt that he meant every word.

“Exactly. And I know it’s hard to understand, but I didn’t need that then. I spent a week holed up in my bedroom trying to wrap my head around what had happened. Wishing I could remember something. Then I came to the realization that if I stayed in Second Chance, I’d always be looking over my shoulder. Thinking everyone was a criminal. I’d never been safe. So, I left.”

“You didn’t have anyone,” he said in faint voice. “I should have known. You needed me. I failed you.” He pressed his fingertips into his creased forehead.

“You can’t blame yourself.”

“I’m sorry, Noelle.”

“I did have Tuck. He came and got me that night, took me to the ER, and stayed with me. Sheriff Mellough had shown up to take my statement, but he made me believe that the situation was partly my fault.”

Rip started pacing again. “That bastard. If he weren’t already dead, he would be.”

“Honestly, I made the choice myself. I could have gone against what he advised, but after a lot of thought, I didn’t want to put my mom, or myself, through that. I didn’t want to put you through it.”

He came to a dead stop. His gaze landed on her like a warm embrace. “Put me through it? I should have been your anchor. Damn, you’re right, I would have completely lost sight in what you needed. I would have focused on hunting the perp when what you really needed was me to just be there.”

“Rip, please. None of this is your fault. None of it ismyfault. I should have told you sooner. The day I received the first photo. The night it happened. So many what ifs.”

He lowered his gaze to where he’d dropped the photo in the dirt as if he just remembered it. He bent and picked it up. “When did you receive the photos?”

“The day before the fire.”

“The night of the carnival?” He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

She nodded. “Trust me, a part of me wanted to confess everything to you then, but it just never seemed like the right time…until I received the warning message. I wanted to give you a few days to come to terms with the fire.”

He seemed to be waging an internal conflict. “Fuck.” He slammed his fists into his front pockets.

“The important thing is, I don’t want you to be angry with me.”

Without a word, he ate up the space between them in determined strides and pulled her into the rock-solid comfort of his strong arms. She could have cried, but refused. Instead, she inhaled his scent that somehow offered her strength. A hug had never felt better.

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