The woman shakes her head, slow and apologetic. “It’s evidence. But I heard it was thorough. He knew your locker combination and outlined his whole timeline. Had the means and motive. The product was stamped with the logo of the motorcycle club he used to work for.”
She pats my hand like she’s doing me a kindness. “I know it’s a lot, baby. But maybe it’s a blessing in disguise. You’re young. Smart. You’ve got a future. Go to college. Start fresh.”
Start fresh.
Like my dad didn’t just volunteer to go to prison in my place.
Like I didn’t fall in love with my stepbrother.
Like my life could ever be the same.
I sign the papers with hands that barely feel like mine.
Outside, the sun is too bright. The sky, too blue. The world, too normal for what just happened. Cars pass. Horns blare. Somewhere, someone is laughing.
And I’ve never felt further from it all.
I pull out my phone. Dial Caleb.
It beeps and doesn’t even go to voicemail. His voicemail box must be full. Dammit.
I try again.
And again.
Still nothing.
I’ve got about a million texts from Z.
Z: shit we just heard
Z: Are you okay?
Z: Silas is coming to get u
Z: he wont let me come
Z: R u out yet?
Z: I dont have a ride to come get u
Z: Helens mad about the Caleb N u vid
Z: can u get a ride home? Lk Uber back
Z: Harp? Dying waiting here
Z: Harp??????
My stomach sinks at the thought of Helen being mad at me. Does Dad know, too? Did he know before he came to take the fall for me? And did it anyway?
But Helen… my guts churn as I thumb over to order the rideshare, then text Z that I’m on my way home. My phone pings with a bunch more texts with questions from him, but once I verify they’re all from him and not from Caleb or Helen, I put my phone in my pocket.
Ten minutes later, the Uber shows up.
The ride passes in fragments. Like I’ve stepped sideways out of reality. It’s the same houses I’ve been driving past for months. The same trees. But something fundamental has shifted.
And it’s not just the world.