Or doesn’t care.
A while later,I’m back in my truck. My brothers trail close behind. Campbell in his truck, Crandall on his bike, the three of us pulling away from the place we once called home.
They found me.
Showed up like they were gearing up for war, shoulders squared, ready for whatever they thought they’d walk into. And in a way…they weren’t wrong.
Above me, the clouds begin to part, sunlight breaking through in soft, golden streaks. It spills through the windshield, warm against my face, and for the first time since my eyes opened this morning, my chest doesn’t feel like it’s caving in on itself.
Steph told me everything.
And with every word, the anger that carried me here slowly unraveled into something lighter. Relief, mostly, but not entirely. There’s still something lingering beneath it, something I can’t quite name.
Because I wanted him to pay.
And death…death feels too easy.
Apparently, he spiraled.
Drugs. Bad ones.
Lost himself somewhere along the way, then a few years ago, he ended it himself. There’s no satisfaction in that. No justice. Just…an ending.
Still, at least no one else will ever have to suffer at his hands.
Most importantly, Johnnie doesn’t have to carry that fear anymore. The man who hurt her doesn’t exist in this world now.
That should be enough.
But there’s a restless edge under my skin I can’t shake.
He got off too fucking easy.
If I’d only known sooner…
The tires hum against the interstate, steady and hypnotic, but my mind refuses to settle. It spins, circling back, picking at something just out of reach. Suddenly, it hits me.
Something’s missing.
Something doesn’t add up.
Johnnie’s voice echoes in my head, the guilt in it, the fear. The way she looked at me like I might despise her. Like I might not forgive her.
Why?
Why would she carry that…if this is all there is?
My grip tightens on the wheel.
There has to be more.
By the timeI pull into the driveway, the sun is dipping low, painting everything in soft gold. My brothers follow close behind as we make our way up the long stretch of gravel, the house coming into view.
The garage door rises, and I pull inside.
And then I see her.
My beautiful girl.