And it opens the floodgates to other questions.
“Will you press charges?”
“Mr. Reyes, what’s your relationship with Mila West?”
“Miss West, we heard you refuse to talk. Is that true?”
“Mr. Reyes, how do your father and grandfather feel about all of this?”
“Mila, is it true you and Justin Green dated?”
“Will this affect CRC Holdings' share price?”
“What is Trinity Academy going to do about this? Will Justin Green be expelled?”
Mom and Dad move between the reporters and me, and Jase wraps a protective arm around my shoulders, and with his other, he presses my face to his chest. He pulls me away and rushes us to where his car is parked. In a hurry, Jase bundles me into the passenger seat and straps me in before he runs around the back of the vehicle. Then the engine roars to life, and Jase speeds away from the parking area.
In a total daze, my eyes stare widely ahead of me.
‘Did Justin Green rape you?’
Justin yanks at my panties, making a frightening terror close over my head, and I drown in it. It sucks the fight from my body. I feel his hand slip between my legs.
I gasp for air, and it makes the sharp pain in my chest pierce through my lungs. Nausea rushes up my throat, and I croak, “Stop the car.”
Jase pulls over to the side, and I struggle to unclip the seat belt. Jase helps me, and the second I’m free, I hurry to open the door. I almost fall out of the car, but I’m just in time as my body begins to jerk. I sink to my knees as I empty my stomach. My lungs go up in flames, and tears stream down my cheeks.
God, this is too hard. I can’t.
Then I feel Jase’s hand on my back.
Shaking like a leaf in a shit storm, my body finally stops convulsing. The ache in my chest is too intense to take a full breath, making me feel dizzy.
Jase hands me my bottle of water I brought with me from the hospital, and I use it to rinse my mouth. Then his arms slip under me, and he picks me up as if I weigh nothing.
That’s because I am nothing.
The thought is fleeting, but it packs a brutal punch. Jase sets me down on the passenger seat and frames my face with both his hands. Forcing me to look at him, he asks, “Are you okay?”
Am I okay?
I’ve been asked that question so many times over the past couple of days.
No, I’m not okay. Not even a little.
Instead of telling Jase the truth, I nod. “Yeah, just felt sick. I’m fine now.”
I can see Jase doesn’t believe me. “We’ll be back at the dorm in five minutes, then you can rest.”
I nod again and even manage to force a smile around my lips as Jase shuts my door. I wrap my arms around my waist and lean my head back against the headrest.
God, I’m exhausted. How will I get through this?
I only open my eyes when Jase brings the car to a stop in front of the dorm. My gaze scans over the students who’ve all stopped to watch.
Yeah, the freakshow’s home.
Jase gets out of the car first, and then I hear him yell, “What the fuck are you all staring at?”
Students scatter in different directions, and I wait until the coast is clear before I push my door open.
In a flash, Jase hovers by my side as I climb out of the car.
“I’ll grab our bags once you’re settled in bed,” he says as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and leads me into the building.
Once we’re inside the elevator, I turn my body into Jase’s and wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my face against his chest. I wish I could take a deep breath of him.
He brings his hands to my face and nudges it up until I’m looking at him, and then he gives me the most caring smile, whispering, “I’m so fucking proud of you.”
Not following why, I shake my head.
“You’re so brave, Mila.”
I don’t feel brave.
I try to smile as I say, “Nope, it’s all you.”
Jase leans a little down, his eyes boring into mine. I can see he means every word when he says, “You forget I’ve spent every day with you the past week, and I’ve seen how strong you are. Even at your own expense, you pretend to be fine, so others won’t worry.”
He saw right through my act?
As if he can read my thoughts, a grin pulls at the corner of his mouth. “Yeah, babe, so just remember, you can’t hide anything from me, and I don’t want you to.”
The doors slide open, and Jase lets go of my face. He takes hold of my hand and pulls me out into the hallway.