Page 117 of Riding the Pine

But right now… sitting here with a semi after reading some of the things these aliens did to their earthling lover… I’m reconsidering.

Some of them look kind of… hard core. I’m not sure that Athena would?—

“Scott?”

Oh shit.

Penelope’s standing next to me when I quickly lock my phone, but she’s already seen what was on my screen.

“Hey, Pen. You okay?”

She smiles as she gestures to the chair across from me. “Can I join you?”

I kick out the chair. “Absolutely. As long as you don’t judge me for my browsing history.”

She shrugs. “Mine arrived yesterday. Seems that book got all the Raccoons hot and bothered. Tate ordered this weird alien spikey thing as soon as he got the book. You guys should have asked for a bulk discount.” She giggles as she puts her to-go cup onto the table. “I figured I’d come sit with you to offer some protection.” She tips her head subtly to the left. “I heard one of that group over there saying they were going to come and ask you how Athena was.”

I nod, my stomach deflating. “It’s kind of just life right now. Everyone knows. The rumor mill in UCR is working overtime right now. Though I think by now, everyone’s got all their juicy details.” I can’t help the bitterness in my voice. I hate that Athena’s personal life isn’t personal. I hate that everyone knows what happened, and that for a time, those assholes were free.

“Tate said Athena’s lawyers got them thrown back in jail without bail until the trial.”

“Yeah.” The tension in my neck eases just enough to let me swallow another mouthful of delicious hot chocolate. “Took a while, though. They broke conditions of their bail, I’m not sure what, exactly.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. I’d love to say I understand the intricacies of Athena’s case, but I really don’t. I just know they got out of jail and I was pissed, then they got thrown back in… And I’m still pissed.

“It must have been incredibly hard for her to come on campus knowing her attackers were still here and living their lives as if everything was fine.” She stares at her cup, then back at me. Her eyes are so full of pain I want to hug her. “I’ve never been particularly close to Athena. I mean.” She waves a hand. “I’m still the new girl on the block here, really. But no one should have to go through what she’s going through.”

A-fucking-men.

She covers my hand with hers. “But what about you, Scott. Is anyone taking care of you? Is anyone asking how you are?”

She’s not hitting on me, she’s genuinely concerned, and I can’t say I’m surprised. When Tate got hurt, Pen was right there by his side. And when Athena got raped, she made those smoothies without question.

She’s just a good-hearted person who cares for those in her circle.

“As much as I’m worried about Athena, well, I’m kind of worried about you, too.”

I can’t help rubbing at my chest. “Thank you.” My voice comes out thick with gratitude. “I’m okay. It helps that I’m in therapy.” Courtesy of the bank of de la Peña because there’s no way I’d be able to afford this level of care on Mom’s crappy insurance.

“No one’s upset with you, Scott. I hope you know that.”

There’s a sharp pang in my chest as I hang my head. “I made the right decision to sit out hockey since the attack. I was too angry. I’d have spent most of the games riding the pine, or worse, I could have really hurt someone.”

While it wasn’t my fault we didn’t get anywhere this season—we had a barrage of different issues on the team—it kind of feels like it was. My therapist tells me not to listen to my feelings on this one, to try to find my rational brain and lean into that, but sometimes it’s hard. So, it’s nice to hear Penelope saying, out loud, that at least she’s not upset with me.

“To be honest, it’s been a relief not to have to train every day, though I am finding some release in exercising.”

She nods. “I bet the endorphins are coming in handy right now.” She sips her drink. “Can I ask how long they might get?” She pauses, swallows, and spins her cup around. “You know, in prison?”

“I know the answer to that one.” I almost grin because the questions I’ve been fielding from the other college kids around campus haven’t been so direct, and until this morning, I wasn’t sure what Athena’s lawyers would be pushing for.

“Here in Iowa, sexual abuse is broken into first-, second-, and third-degree felonies. First degree is a class A offence and that’s what we’re pushing for. Life in prison.”

She looks at me, her eyes hardening. “And will they get it?”

“That’s not something I can answer. They may push to have it downgraded to a class B offence so a max of twenty-five years, or even class C with a maximum of ten years and up to a ten grand fine.”

She shakes her head. “They deserve to be locked away until they die.” She slaps the table, making my mug of hot chocolate clink against the saucer. “And a fine? To whom? ‘Cause we sure as shit know they won’t be giving Athena the money. Ten grand to the government? Because they’re the ones who suffered?Fuck. Sorry.” She closes her eyes, sucking in a deep breath. “I thought I was calm enough to come check in on how you’re doing.” She offers a sheepish smile. “Guess I’m still a little angry.”

“I’m angry, too, Pen. We need to stay angry. Those bastards were swaggering about campus right away. Like they were somehow above getting caught.”

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