Page 170 of Return Policy

“With or without proof, you can still go to the police. Your voice matters, Sophia.” I nod slightly. “Have you told Elijah about the sexual assault?”

I gnaw on my lower lip. “No.”

“And why do you think that is?”

“I’m ashamed.” My body shivers at the memories of Seth’s hands on my body.I’m also afraid of what Elijah might do. He already almost killed Seth for choking me. What would he do if he found out how far Seth really went?

“Earlier you expressed honesty was an important part of a relationship for you,” she points out, and my stomach sinks. “For all your relationships. Do you think keeping these secrets, both from Elijah along with your family, is part of the reason for your recent anxiety attacks?”

“I guess they could be…” Before the accident, I was a person who was always painfully honest. Since then everything has snowballed, turning me into a big fat fucking liar being crushed by the avalanche of my secrets.

“Do you think it’s possible you sharing this with Elijah could help release some of the anxiety in your life?”

I think about her question and how the sting of guilt sits in my chest every time I think about keeping this from him. “Yes.”

She nods slowly. “It would be healthy for you to have him as a support system as you process the events of that night.”

“Yeah… I think you’re right.”

My mind swirls, thinking about the past week and what the future will look like. Next week CBU and AU play each other in Arizona, and there’s no way I can tell Elijah before. He’ll never be able to concentrate if he plays, and this could be a career altering opportunity for him.

I make a terrifying decision—I’ll tell him about everything.

No more secrets.

But only after he gets back from the game I won’t be attending.

“Our time is up, but I want you to take this and give it a read over. It also lists a few support groups if you’d like to take part in one while you’re in town.”

She hands me a pamphlet, and I glance down at it. There’s a statistic on the front that reads, “One in five women have been a victim of sexual violence.”

My chest tightens as tears sting my eyes.

I never thought I’d be saying, “Me too.”

* * *

“What the hell do you mean you’re not coming to Arizona?” Sage asks as she and Charlie sit in my room. “Did Janine suggest that?”

“No, it was my decision,” I admit hesitantly. “I just… can’t.”

Sage came over so Charlie and I could fill her in about the accident, and I told them about Seth’s two surprise visits, omitting the part where he violated me entirely. I’m not quite ready to share that… especially not before I tell Elijah. In true Sage fashion, she never guilted us for not telling her, and went into straight “fuck Seth” mode.

“Come on, Soph.” Sage throws her arm around my shoulder. “There will be, like, eighty thousand people at the game. You won’t even be within eyeshot of Seth. As far as he knows, you aren’t even there.”

I sigh heavily. “I’m just exhausted from it all. I wish we would’ve talked to the police when the accident happened. It’s gotten so out of control.”

“You have a restraining order now,” Charlie says, rubbing my back. “He can’t even come near you, and if he even tried, I know about fifty guys who would break his neck before he had the chance to step foot in your direction.”

“We’ve already bought the tickets and paid for the hotel.” Sage smirks, trying to lighten the mood in her usual way. “Let’s have a fun time with our friends. Don’t let that asshat keep ruining your life.”

I’m so sick of him having control over me.

Wringing my hands together, I release a breath. Sage squeezes my shoulder, and I smirk as I glance between her and Charlie.Why can I never say no to these bitches?“Fine.”

“Yay!” They both cheer, throwing their arms around me.

“Okay.” Sage claps her hands together. “I promise to be your personal bodyguard.” She clenches her fists and stands in a sumo wrestler pose.

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