Page 147 of Only Fate

I was the other victim in the accident she’d caused.

I don’t know if she came to me out of guilt or if she truly believed I’d be out of my mind and represent her. After seeing her face in the restroom, I’d bet it’s a guilt thing.

River, Ava, and Amelia are settled on my couch with their attention pinned on either their computer or phone. They’re researching everything they can find about Jenna’s accomplices. Ava is also texting her dad for information. He and my uncle Kyle—Callie’s dad—worked for the police department before starting their own detective agency.

All three guys moved after graduation. Greg scored a football scholarship, then lost it not too long after. Josh joined the military, and no one knows what happened with Jayden. They weren’t my friends, so I never kept upwith them.

I truly believed Earl was responsible for the accident.

Guilt knots in my stomach.

I regret not doing better research, especially after I learned the PEP took his case. It should’ve been a sign for me to study it.

“Greg still lives in Iowa,” Ava reports. “Divorced, two kids, works construction.”

“He’s also had multiple DUIs,” River adds. “Three aggravated assault and battery charges and a domestic violence felony.” He curls his lip. “What a piece of shit.”

We all nod in agreement.

“All signs definitely point to him being batshit crazy enough to do what Jenna said,” Amelia says.

I stop pacing when my phone beeps with a text.

Adrian: Leaving the station now and headed that way.

As relieved as I am that he’s coming here, there’s still a sense of nervousness. We planned to talk about the Earl situation tonight, and now, everything’s changed.

Yes, he didn’t tell me about seeing Earl in prison or his involvement with PEP, but now, it feels like so much stuff has happened that him keeping it from me seems almost small. Also, if he had told me immediately when he saw my name and walked away from the case for me, then maybe we’d never found out Earl was innocent.

“I just found Greg’s ex-wife’s socials,” Ava says. “Let me see if I can DM her and ask if she knows where he’s at.”

I sit down at the kitchen table and start reading over Earl’s case notes. I shut my eyes, and in my head, I try to match up the prosecutor’s timeline with what happened that night.

They listened to my 911 call, so most of it lines up with my memories.

But now, I’m questioning everything.

Everyone’s attention moves to the front door when Adrianwalks in. He gives the three on the couch a head nod and kisses the top of my head before taking the chair next to mine.

The cottage goes quiet.

My friends know what happened between us. Thankfully, no one has mentioned it tonight or given their input. This is something I need to figure out on my own.

“Want to go to the brewery and stalk the lowlifes there?” Amelia asks the room, but the question isn’t directed at me or Adrian. “Drinks are on me.”

“You guys go ahead,” I answer. “I’d prefer to stay in tonight.”

“I’m game,” River says. “I’ll need something mixed with an energy drink, though. I’m not going to bed until I find Greg.”

“Right there with ya,” Ava says, shutting her MacBook and securing it under her armpit.

The three hug me and tell Adrian goodbye before leaving.

After they shut the door behind them, my heartbeat quickens.

“How are you feeling?” Adrian asks me.

“Okay,” I whisper, shoving my MacBook away and rubbing my eyes. “I mean, given the circumstances. I’m relieved Jenna finally told the truth. I’m also mad at myself for not doing more research when the accident happened. I completely believed everything I was told.”

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