I suck in a ragged breath and nod. “I’ll tell them everything. I promise.”
“I think you should stay at my house tonight. It would probably be best if you didn’t go home right now, not with everything that’s happened.”
I agree, thankful for his friendship, for everything. “Trust me. That’s the last place I want to be right now anyway,” I admit.
Liam gives me a sad look; one I can’t seem to shake. The pity I see in his eyes is the same look all of them have given me at some point over the past few months. I feel like a fucking fool. He pats my leg and stands.
“I need to make a phone call real quick. Stay here.” Before walking away, he gives me a small smile, one I don’t return.
As I’m lost in my head, I overhear Liam talking to someone about Mason. When my thoughts go to Weston and all the horrible things he’s said to me today, Liam’s voice pulls me back.
“Okay, are you ready to go back out there? We’re probably going to get bombarded.”
“Yes,” I whisper. He holds out his hand, and I gladly take it. I feel safe for the first time in months.
Once we’re outside, I notice Hunter talking to the police. Maddie is next to Lennon and Allie, and when I catch sight of Savannah and Hayden, I feel absolutely horrible. It’s my fault their special day has been ruined; all of this is my fault. I burst into tears again, and my sisters come over to me, not leaving me alone.
Liam goes to the police officer and waves at me to join him. I suck in a deep breath, look at Lennon and Maddie, then follow him.
The truth will be out there today. No more lies. No more excuses. I promised Liam I’d give a statement, and I will. After it’s all said and done, I hope I’ll be okay one day and be able to live with myself because right now, I don’t feel like that’s a possibility.
Chapter Fourteen
Mason
Being booked into jail is pretty uneventful, though it doesn’t help that every person I pass knows my dad. I am fucked. I’ve been sitting on a bench in a stark white cell for the past three hours. My fists and face hurt, and when I’m finally granted my one phone call, I dial Liam.
He answers immediately.
“How’s jail?” he singsongs, which causes me to snort.
“All I’m missing is a straitjacket. Already watched a dude piss all over the floor.” I roll my eyes just thinking about it.
“Real quick. We each gave statements, and Sophie gave one too. She was truthful, Mason. Talked about the verbal and physical abuse. They took pictures of her bruises, and she put it all out there. It was really bad, Mason. You were right. If you wouldn’t have killed him, I would have after finding out what I did tonight.” There’s a seriousness in his tone, and I can’t even imagine what he now knows.
The line goes silent, and I nearly grind my teeth down flat by how pissed I am. I knew something wasn’t right. I fucking knew it. But she constantly denied it. Maybe all of this could’ve been avoided if she would’ve just listened to me instead of accusing me of just being jealous. Any of us could’ve died today, even her. But all that matters now is that she is okay. I can’t blame her for being scared, and my body aches now knowing how bad it really was for her.
“Where is she now? How is she?” I’m more concerned about her well-being because I can only imagine how she feels and what mental and emotional state she’s in.
“I made Sophie come home with me and told her she was sleeping here. She’s a fucking wreck and blames herself for it all,” he tells me. “She was worried about you too,” he adds, and it makes my heart jolt forward, but I don’t address it.
“I’m glad she’s there. And Serena?”
“She’s on her way to you. She said she’d leave as soon as possible.”
“Fuck,” I mumble.
“If you need to get bonded out sooner, let me know. I can call someone,” he offers.
“That’s okay. I’ll wait for Serena and let you know. Thanks, man. Thanks for being my best friend through all the bullshit.”
“You’re not gonna get all sentimental on me now, are you, and confess your undying love for me?” Liam snickers.
“You wish, you bastard,” I barely get out when the officer tells me my time is up. I let Liam go and am escorted back to my jail cell with a piss-covered floor. I’m thrown inside like a criminal, like a murderer. Without a doubt, word has already gotten around town the district attorney’s son killed a guy and is sitting in jail. I need Serena to get her ass here as soon as possible.