I panicked. I didn’t know who else to call. When that police officer took Jesse out in handcuffs and the other three stayed back to get witnesses’ statements, I damn near lost my mind. Words like aggressor, attacked, assault charges were tossed around. Jason was injured, that much was obvious, but he played it up big time.

Liza and Scott were dumbfounded. Liza asked me a million questions, rapid-fire, and all I could do was mumble one-word answers. Scott’s birthday went to shit, and it was all my fault.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble as Liza wraps her arms around me, but I don’t even take comfort in her embrace. I’m numb.

“Don’t apologize.” She squeezes my shoulders. “We’re worried about you. I don’t know what the hell happened, but…” She hesitates. “Jesse could be in a lot of trouble.”

I pull back, eyes wide. “What? What did they say?”

Her eyes soften. “I think Jason is pressing charges.”

“What?” I scream. “People get into bar fights all the time. They don’t actually go to jail.” Do they?

Her hand at my waist guides me forward. “Let’s get down to the station and see what’s going on.” She glances at Scott. “Can you get the car?”

“Yeah.” He nods, voice solemn.

Liza turns to face me. “Is there anyone you can call?”

My eyes widen in panic.

“Don’t worry. I’m not leaving you, but do you know any attorneys? Someone who can help or give you legal advice?”

The knot of dread coils tighter in my stomach, as my dad’s face pops to mind. I don’t know who else to call. “Yes,” my voice whispers. “I can call my dad.”

* * *

The next morning I’m at my mom’s house when I overhear my parents’ angry, albeit hushed, voices in the kitchen.

“I told you that boy was no good for her!” my dad whisper-hisses. “But you kept encouraging it.”

“Don’t you dare!” my mother argues back. “This isn’t my fault.”

“Isn’t it?” My dad breathes. “You’ve always defended him. We should’ve put an end to this, years ago. Now, I’m stuck calling in favors to neighboring districts when I should just let the kid serve his time.”

“Your daughter is in love with him.”

“Yeah, well, you didn’t see what he did to that guy. Besides, I don’t even know if Trooper Williams is still stationed with that borough. I say we wait and see before I make a fool of myself wasting my time and breath on some kid who doesn’t deserve my help.”

My mom laughs, a mean, sarcastic laugh. “It’s always about you, isn’t it, Jack? How do Riley’s actions affect you? What will your colleagues think? She’s our daughter.”

My dad retorts, “This has nothing to do with me. Or our family. He’s not like us.”

“Why?” my mom demands. “Why isn’t he like us?”

“He just isn’t.” My dad does little to disguise his anger at this point. “He’s got no college education, no future, and he’s—”

“Don’t you dare say it,” my mom interrupts. “Don’t you dare say it, Jack. We raised our daughters to accept everyone, to not judge based on skin color or sexual orientation or religion.”

“But—”

I can’t listen to my parents fight anymore, nor can I stand by another minute without defending Jesse. He’s in this mess because of me. If anyone is guilty of wrongdoing, it’s me.

“Stop.” I walk into the kitchen and slice my hand through the air. “Please, stop.”

“Riley.” My mom sets her mug of coffee on the counter. “How much of that did you hear?”

My eyes narrow on my dad. “Enough.”

“Riley,” my dad says, but I wave him off.

“Listen, I know what Jesse did was wrong, but he had his reasons. That man,” I take a deep breath before saying his name, “Jason, hurt me.”

“What?” My dad pushes to his feet. “When?”

“It was a long time ago.” I close my eyes and drop my head toward my chest. “I’m okay.” I take another breath. “But Jesse knew our history and…”

“Riley.” My mom moves around to the opposite side of the counter where I stand and wraps me in her arms. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

I shrug, even though I know exactly why I didn’t tell her: I was ashamed.

“Riley.” My dad clears his throat and faces me as my mom releases her hold. “Is there anything else we need to know? Did that man, did he force himself…?”

“No.” My voice is loud. “No, nothing like that.”

My dad nods his head, but his eyes still hold mine in question.

“Dad, I need you to help Jesse,” I plead. “I’ll do anything.”

“I’m not sure what I’ll be able to do. If the victim presses charges, Jesse will be arraigned.”

“No!” I scream again. “There has to be someone else you can call. Someone you know. Please.” My voice breaks on a sob. “I love him. You have to help him.”

My dad’s hard exterior falters in the slightest. “I’ll see what I can do.”