“How do you know?” She stares at me.
“Because she texted me.” I show Amanda the string of text messages, and it’s enough to convince her that I’m not angling to do something rotten.
She lets me in and then hurries down the hallway in her fuzzy slippers. She goes into her room to change but talks to me through a crack in the door.
“She never was that interested in him,” she says, “and I’m starting to get why. She said he was controlling like her dad.”
“I figured if you come with me he may not go nuts.”
Amanda comes out of her room wearing her purple puffer jacket and leggings. “Lucas is a nice guy. I’m sure you know what I mean.”
We hurry down the steps, and the Uber is still waiting. The car takes off down the street, turning onto Brunswick heading toward the frat houses.
“Olivia told me a little bit about what happened when you guys were young,” Amanda explains. “It sounds like a real mess. She blames herself for what happened to you. I tried to tell her to give you some space, and maybe, someday you’ll forgive her.”
I nod. “I have forgiven her. The anger is gone, but trying again is a mistake. That awful past will always be between us.” I scoff. “People will remind us of it and how I was convicted of hurting her.”
“But you didn’t,” replies Amanda. “At least, that’s what Olivia says. She swears it’s true.”
I scoff. “I didn’t, but I wanted to when I got out. I wanted her to feel some of the pain I felt locked away with people who were convinced I was a sick fuck. But I just couldn’t hurt Olivia, not when I saw her again.”
“Don’t let other people live your life.” Amanda’s voice is barely above a whisper. “She wants to be with you. Move away somewhere where they don’t know either of you and start over.”
Amanda stares at me with hopeful eyes. Oliva and I have been through hell on a rollercoaster but still want each other. We’ve been through the bad. It’s time for some good times. I love Olivia, and I can’t come this far and give up on my first love.
“I’ll talk to her,” I tell Amanda. “We’ll go off by ourselves and talk, away from anyone who might judge us.”
Amanda gives me a quick hug before we get out of the car in front of Gamma House. The whole house is pitch black, no lights on inside, and it looks like no one is home. We look at each other and then at the house in confusion.
“I thought she was here?” she asks.
And then a horrible scream cuts through the quiet from the woods behind the house.
I take off running toward it, weaving in and out of parked cars by the side of the house. My vision struggles to adjust to the darkness as I race toward the shouting. I pick up speed when I recognize Olivia’s cries. A hulking profile is outlined against the sky through the trees, struggling with something on the ground. I don’t bother with questions, not when it’s life and death. I launch my body into the air and tackle that looming mass onto the ground.
Hands grip and then fists plummet into my chest as I wrestle with the shadow. I ignore the pain throbbing in my jaw. I’m desperate to protect Olivia, who I can’t see, but I know she’s near. Grunts of anger sound against my ear as strong arms squeeze around me. I break free and aim blindly, making contact with flesh and hearing a person wheeze.
“You’re a sick fuck,” Lucas shouts as he flails against the ground.
“Not as sick as you.” My vision adjusts to the darkness, and I’m able to pick Lucas out. He rolls onto his knees, and his form rushes toward me. I stand my ground, allowing Amanda time to help Olivia to her feet. My fists rain down on him, letting out a fury that I’ve never dealt with. And maybe, I should’ve. The anger drains out of my body, leaving me weak, but I continue to strike until I know she’s out of harm’s way. Lucas grabs my waist and tries to pull me down. We stumble backward, falling heavily onto the frozen ground and clutching each other in a stalemate. But I hold onto him so he can’t reach her. The bastard will never touch my Olivia again.
Sirens wail in the distance, and though it might be a common occurrence downtown, it’s not in this part of town. The deafening sound surrounds us as red and blue lights flash against the trees, illuminating the yard enough for me to see that Olivia is okay.
Lucas bucks wildly to get me off him. “I’ll kill you, you dumb whore! I’ll kill you!”
I roll him over and press his mouth into the ground, silencing him. “Don’t you ever threaten her again! Don’t come near her. Don’t look at her, and never speak her name.”
He grunts as he tries to shake me off, but I don’t let go until the police surround us in the woods. Flashlights blind me as I shield my eyes with my arm. For the second time tonight, firm hands grip our shoulders and pull us apart. Panting, I face the man who I foolishly thought was my rival. The only rival I had was my doubts.
“Him,” Olivia points at Lucas. “He went crazy.” Her harsh tone expresses hate as she speaks to him. “Lucas, if you don’t tell, I will.”
Struggling, he starts to fight to get the officer off his back. “Go to hell, you bitch, and take that piece of shit with you. I wanted you, but you made the wrong choice.”
Olivia’s jaw drops when she hears the hate spewing from Lucas’ mouth, and she slips her hand into Amanda’s. The cops start to haul us toward the waiting cruisers, and the two women follow closely behind. Olivia and Amanda protest my innocence as they stumble along. A light in the back of the house comes on, and then a curious frat brother walks out of the house to investigate, dressed in his robe and shorts. How could anyone sleep through her screams?
Olivia hurries over and grabs my arm, trying to pull me away from the cop. “Not him. It’s Lucas. Lucas ran Winston down with his car.”
We stare in shock as Lucas is put into the back of a police car. The cops leave me behind while they take Lucas away.