"Briar, I know that today has been a lot, but I'm going to need for you to be honest with me from here on out. If we're going to keep the police at bay, and for some reason they seem to have a bee in their bonnet where you are concerned, then anything thatcanbe held against you will be. I already asked you if there was anything that you were holding back, but I'm going to ask you once more before you get out of this car. Is there anything else I need to know?"
A lump forms in my throat as I try to speak, so I attempt to clear my throat, trying not to seem as guilty as I feel.
"No, there isn't anything else you need to know," I tell him, hating how big my tongue feels in my mouth at the lie. "Can I have that file that you have on me, please?"
His eyebrows rise in shock, but he nods and moves to grab his suitcase from the back floorboard. He opens it, handing me the file of doom as I’ve decided to call it. "You know this isn't the only copy I have, right?"
"I figured as much, but maybe going through this will help me see something or jog something in my mind as to why the police might think I'm capable of what they seem to think I'm capable of." Because outside of their supposed DNA, I’ll be fucked if I know what it is they have on me… unless there really was another witness.
No, Briar, don’t go down that path. We don’t need another spiral yet. Hold your shit together just a little longer.
He nods and pushes the button on the dash, releasing the lock on the door. "If you think of anything, give me a call. The boys have my number and my card is also in that file. If you need anything at all, you just call me, okay?"
"Yeah, okay." I smile at him and he reaches over to squeeze my forearm gently. He might be the first adult that’s ever actually shown up for me, and I’m trying really hard not to get emotional about it. "Thank you again for today. I really wasn't expecting anybody to come to my rescue."
He smiles sadly at me and shakes his head. "We all need to be saved sometimes, Briar."
I climb from the car and stand on the sidewalk, waving as he drives away. Once he's out of sight, I take a deep breath and turn toward the house. I have no idea if the boys are even home yet.
Considering it’s dark out already, I would assume they are, but the house looks dark too.
My stomach rumbles, but the thought of food just makes me want to be sick a little, so I take another deep breath and head up the path, taking the steps slowly before grabbing the hide-a-key, then unlock and push the front door open.
I'm greeted with silence, and silence never felt so good, because before I face the guys I need to face some demons.
* * *
With the house empty, I take advantage and head upstairs for a shower to wash the day off me. When I'm feeling something close to human, at least physically because mentally I've had to close all of the doors to keep myself moving forward, I dress in my PJs, thick, fuzzy socks, and grab one of Cole's hoodies, which comes down past my knees, before going and sitting down on the couch. I grab my phone and pull up the group text and send a message.
Me:
I'm home, no idea where you guys are. But thank you for sending Mr. St. Vincent. I might be asleep before you get back. I'm wiped. If I don't see you tonight, I'll fill you in tomorrow.
I hit send, lock my phone, and put it into the pocket of the hoodie before curling up in a ball and laying my head down on the couch. Sure, I could go to bed and pass out, but something about being in this room makes me feel less alone than being locked away in my bedroom. After today, being alone is the last thing I want right now.
It doesn't take long before my phone starts buzzing like crazy in my pocket. I unlock the screen and pull up the group chat, which already has a couple of messages from the guys.
Sawyer:
On the way back now, won't be long.
Asher:
Just walking the dogs, shouldn't be long either.
Cole:
Just wrapped up practice. I’ll grab some food and bring it home for everybody.
Travis:
I was called into the Kensington head office. I'm leaving in ten. Don't start without me.
Of course he doesn't want us to start without him. Because God forbid Travis Kensington doesn't have all of the information first. But his message does at least make me smile for what feels like the first time today.
I look at the file I dropped on the coffee table on my way in and it feels like it's screaming at me from where it sits.
I have every intention of hiding it.