Page 104 of Trustfall

“Nate, I just woke up, and yesterday was an emotional avalanche. I can’t have this conversation right now.”

“Yeah? Well, you’re going to. Because it fucking worked.”

I blink. “What?”

“Whatever you said to that scumbag worked. He dropped the charges against Luke. He was released an hour ago.”

Whatever I said.

My mind races as I think back on how things ended with Jaxon last night.

“I said get the fuck out,” he roars, causing me to jump.

Dustin steps in front of me protectively, just like Luke would if he were here. I gently nudge him back to my side, and with utter defeat coursing through my body, I approach Jaxon.

God, what am I doing?

“Jaxon,” I say so quietly it’s almost a whisper as I take a step forward. Dustin follows behind me like a shadow. “You may have been a monster back then, but something changed. I could tell from the moment I saw you at my dad’s house. I thought at first that you were the same smug asshole, but it was all an act. Something was different. And that night in the Gazebo… you were broken. You never once mentioned your father, or the things he did, when we were together. He broke you just like you broke me.”

Jaxon looks up, a million things swimming in his eyes. He reminds me of those dogs who are kicked so many times that they have no choice but to become mean. To bite, scratch, snarl, and snap at anything that comes within a foot of them. It still doesn’t excuse what he did. Nothing will ever excuse what he did.

“I know.”

It’s two words, and he doesn’t even look at me when he says them. It isn’t an apology, but it’s somehow better. It’s an acknowledgement, and I have to cling to the hope that it means he has changed his mind about Luke.

“Good,” I say as I nod to Dustin, turn around, and walk out the door.

“Emory. Did you hear me?” Nate’s voice tears me from the memory of last night.

“Yes, I…he’s really out?”

“He is.”

“How did you know it was me?”

“Dad. I think he’s losing his edge. It only took me ten minutes, and he cracked like a nut,” Nate brags. “He told me everything. I guess Jaxon called him last night to make a deal. Then Dad called Marshall and talked him out of going to Jaxon’s dad about the affair. That was a wild twist, by the way. Anyway, Marshall agreed as long as Jaxon went back to California and never showed his face here again.”

“I can’t believe Dad convinced him. Marshall was furious. I doubt he’s one to let himself be embarrassed without retribution.”

“Dad was tight-lipped about that one, but I’m pretty sure he has shit on Marshall. Maybe he does still have his edge…”

“And Jaxon kept his word? He actually dropped the charges?”

“Yep. I think Dad might have threatened him with something too. Doesn’t really matter. It’s done. Luke is free.”

I swallow down the lump in my throat to ask the only question that really matters. “Is he—okay?”

“He’s fine. He’s at his parents’ house. His dad was already there visiting him when he was released, and his mom insisted he come see her right away.”

“Oh.”

There’s silence on the other end of the line, and then an irritated sigh. “I’m sure he wants to see you, Em. His mom has been freaking out this whole time. She couldn’t visit him because she misplaced her license, and they wouldn’t let her in.”

“Yeah, no, I get it. But he hasn’t even called.”

“I’m sure he just wants to see you in person.”

“Yeah,” I say again.

---