I open my mouth to tell him to apologize, but then the low chatter of cops and people around hits my ears and reminds me exactly where I’m at, and I slam my mouth shut. I turn just as Kate is escorted towards the holding cell hallway.
As she passes the group, she turns, catching Devon’s eye. I can’t see her face, but his tightening tells me he wants to console her, to make her feel better. He has such a big heart.
“I’m really sorry. She talked me into it. I didn’t know she was going to pull this last stunt until it was too late. Adrianna put the drugs in her pockets last night when she was sleeping. It was easy for her because she lives there, and Gracie was just spending the night. I didn’t know Donna was going to call the cops. The plan was to just turn everybody against her, to make her relapse for real, and have her just… slip out of everybody’s lives. Like before, but this time, nobody would be willing to take her back. She wasn’t supposed to get arrested; Donna went too far because Owen broke up with her. Donna blames Gracie for that. Also, I know this isn’t the best time to tell you, but I’m pregnant too.”
My heart could just stop now, and nobody would notice with this barrage of information that’s coming out. I watch as Kate is nudged forward and willing goes to the holding cells. When I look back at Adrianna, she’s turned completely around and having a full-blown conversation with whoever the guy in the suit is. Finally, he steps around her, squeezes her shoulder, and leaves as another cop materializes next to her. Adrianna huffs and holds up her chin as she’s led to the holding cells as well. She ignores us, especially me, and disappears into the hallway.
I turn and plant my eyes on my father. “Am I free then?”
Daddy rubs his face and nods. “You’re free, Gracie.”
I move towards the front doors and turn sharply when Devon steps to follow me. “Don’t follow me.”
I’m lying through my teeth. I want him to follow me. I want him to cuddle me, to hold me, to soothe me. But I also want to be alone, away from them. They all believed I would just relapse. I’m still convinced I should just do what they all thought I was doing anyway. Devon hesitates and steps back. I look at Owen, but he doesn’t even try to move. He only stares at me with a set jaw. He’s so held back, determined not to give away his emotions. Owen has always been like that. In front of groups, the only feeling he ever dares show is anger, and I think that’s just because it’s such a high emotion; it isn’t easy to hide. Otherwise, he just doesn’t.
“Congratulations to both of you.”
I turn and take my leave, desperate to get the fuck out of the police station. I don’t know where Luke and Jasper went, but it still hurts that they so easily believed I brought and was even doing drugs in their home. I get a few feet from them and turn to face them.
“Adrianna planted those drugs, just so you know.” With that, I turn and officially leave, tugging my phone out.
“Marcy?” My voice cracks when she picks up. “Just please, listen before you say anything.”
Chapter52
Colton
“Idon’t know where she is,” I tell Owen as I wipe off a table. “I’ve been here all day; I’ve got a job just like you.”
“Yeah, well, she’s gone again.” He groans.
I shake my head when I look up at the man in the uniform, unable to deny my attraction to him. “Everybody believed she relapsed because she was framed and arrested. Would you want to be around the people who so easily believed that?”
Owen glares, his jaw ticking. “You haven’t known Gracie like Devon and I have—”
I slam the rag I’m using on the table I’m standing next to and straighten up. “I get that, really I do. But Gracie’s been working extremely hard at staying sober, Owen. All she wanted was for people to believe her. She’s sober. That matters.”
“Not this time,” he explodes, frustration twisting his face. “She looked… lost when she left the station this morning. Because of exactly what you said, but also because she discovered that Kate and Donna are both pregnant.”
I grimace. That’s a lot to take in. Nobody believed her when she pleaded for them all to do so, and now, the men she wants to be with will have to be shared with these women who framed her forever.
Owen steps forward, glancing at the two couples that sit in the back of the restaurant before lowering his voice. “She lost a baby before she got sober. I think… this hit her really hard, and she might be looking for a way to shut it all out. Colton, please, if you know—”
“I don’t,” I snap and let out a slow breath of air to gather myself. “I’m really sorry, Owen. If I knew where she disappeared to, I would tell you. I really would. I don’t want her slipping either, and I would be stupid to hide her, I know that. So, if I knew, I would tell you. I swear I would.”
He stares at me, eyes giving away the fact he wants to cry. I haven’t known Owen for very long, but in the time I have, he’s always seemed like an angry guy. Seeing him vulnerable at this moment throws a different light over him. My heart hurts for him. I also want Gracie to be safe, but I’m not lying to him. Gracie hasn’t answered my texts all fucking morning. I get why with being arrested, but even after her release, she has yet to even reply to a single one.
“If you call her—” he starts, but his words falter when I shake my head.
“She won’t answer me. Probably thinks I don’t have faith in her either,” I turn back to wipe at the table.
“I don’t want her relapsing because of all this shit, Colton.”
I pause but don’t look up at him either. “I don’t either, but I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. My grandpa is out for the day. I can’t leave the diner.”
He nods when I look up at him this time. “If you hear from her—”
“I’ll let you know,” I promise and turn back to my cleaning, but I am once again distracted when the bell above the door jingles to announce the arrival of someone.