Page 68 of Not that Impressed
Mom and Dad put their foot down with Victoria—no more filming with Libby this season. We only have a couple episodes left to fill. Mom and Dad said they would talk about what happened, but none of us would have to. There hasn’t been a camera in the house for three days, and it’s been a welcome relief.
I’m happy to be here for my sister, but I miss Will. He’s been busy with practice and extra drills and meetings because heskipped a game that he hasn’t had time to come over. We’ve texted a few times, checked in on the phone for a few minutes at a time, but I’m anxious for real time with him.
I miss him.
That’s not something I’d thought I’d ever say about Will Pemberton.
My chance to see him comes when Mom takes Libby to therapy.
“You could come,” Libby says as I walk her and Mom out to the car. Janelle hovers by the front door.
I put my arm around Libby. I want my sister to know I’m there for her, no matter what. That I would fly to Mexico or around the world for her anytime she needed me. But I also need a breather.
“Mom needs to be here for you too, Libs,” I whisper, looking over her head at where Mom waits by her car, anxious and staring at Libby as though she’ll disappear right out from under her. And who can blame her?
Libby grips my hand the way she did as we drove away from the Winscott, all the way to the airport, all through the flight, and right up until the moment Mom smothered her in hugs when we got home.
“Libby,” I say in a low voice, as firm and comforting as I can be. “This sucks right now. It’s hard, and it’s scary. You will be okay. I promise. And me and Mom and Janelle and Dad are always going to be here for you.”
“I screwed up so bad,” she says in a wobbly voice. She avoids my gaze.
“You made a mistake,” I agree. “But he took advantage of that. You are not responsible for what he did.” She chews on her lip and still won’t look at me. I use a finger to lift her chin and make her meet my gaze. I call Grayson the filthiest name I can think of. Libby’s eyes widen.
“Ellie Bennet,” Mom chides, but she looks more like girls-will-be-girls than anything.
“He’s a trash person, Libby,” I say. “You are not. We’re going to make sure he never hurts another girl again, okay.”
“Okay.” Her voice is quiet, but it’s enough.
“I love you, Libs.” I wrap my arms around her and pull her close. She sniffles into my shoulder and then goes with Mom.
Janelle has joined me on the driveway as we watch the car pull away. “She will be okay, El,” she says, putting an arm around my waist.
“I know.” I lean my head on her shoulder.
“It’s not your fault either,” she says softly.
I don’t answer at first. Finally I draw in a long breath. “I’m just mad I believed him.” Janelle hugs me closer.
“Go see Will. You need him.”
“I do.” I pull out my phone and send a quick text, making sure he’s home. He offers to come to me, but I order him to stay put. And add that if I don’t get out of the house, I might lose a little bit of my mind.
After the longest half an hour later, I’m standing at his door, knocking.
He answers immediately. “Hey,” he says, eyes softening as he studies me. He takes my hand and pulls me inside, then hugs me, lifting me up to my toes. I melt into him. The way he held me together in Mexico, that magic power he had to soothe my fears, works on me now to settle everything.
We hold each other for several moments and then he pulls away to lead me to the couch, where I snuggle up next to him. “You fired?” I tease.
He snorts with laughter. “Your dad doesn’t even want me punished. Coach is trying to be cranky about it, but nobody would have had me do anything different.” He chuckles. “I’m putting in the extra work to make Coach happy, help him feel better about the situation.”
I pull away from where I’m lying on his chest so I can look at him. “Did I ever give you a proper thank you for what you did for us? I wouldn’t have found her without you, Will.”
“I wanted to help. It felt like I needed to.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“I know that. I know it’s complicated. Reporting is hell for the victims. But then they feel guilty because staying silent means guys like Hollis can hurt other women. It sucks, and I hate it. Anna’s devastated over what happened to Libby, and she shouldn’t be.” He rubs a hand down his face, and I wrap my arms around him, snuggling up against him.
