Page 94 of Let Me
“Now.” He clears his throat and nods his thanks as the waitress sets down our drinks. “Tell me about Caden.”
I look down at my lap. I’m wearing black pants, a sleeveless emerald-green top. Picked out by Caden last night after we landed. We spent Thursday day at the apartment—which he paid the rent for until I graduate from school next year, after I refused to let him move me—and flew here last night. I promised Mom I’d be back after the weekend, but I didn’t pack anything to take with me. Being with Caden seemed like all I’d need. He was like a drug that I couldn’t get enough of, now that we could finally, truly be together.
It was scary, actually. How hard I was falling. How hard I’d been falling over three years.
Tyler coughs dramatically, waiting for me to answer him. He doesn’t know about what happened with Rolland. Any of it. From three years ago, and from the night before last. He knows nothing.
I didn’t tell anyone, all this time, because I was ashamed. Because I wanted to prevent Caden’s heart from breaking more than it already had.
But now, I tell Tyler everything.
Every single fucking thing, even though I have to stop talking at some points. It’s not okay. It’s not alright. It’s fucked up, what Rolland did. And the blackmail was the least of his crimes.
As I hear myself tell my best friend all the dirty parts of myself, of the past few years, I realize I’m fucked up.
But maybe Caden is, too.
This hasn’t destroyed us.
It’s brought us closer together.
Tyler looks mad as hell when I finish, and I understand that, because I’d feel the same if this story was one he was telling. But I’m not even mad anymore. I’m just glad it’s over. What I think about Rolland killing Jack…well, once again, I try not to think about it. Not right now.
Tyler reaches across the table and I take his hand in mine.
“Riley,” he whispers, his eyes shining. “I’m so goddamn sorry you felt you couldn’t tell me this.”
I shake my head, swallowing back the lump in my throat. “Don’t, Ty. This wasn’t your fault at all, the secrets. I just…”
He squeezes my hand. “It’s okay, you don’t have to explain to me. But you didn’t have to do that, go through that, on your own. Please don’t keep secrets from me like that ever again.”
I nod, blinking back tears. “I won’t, Ty. I promise.”
He squeezes my fingers again and then let’s go, leaning back in the booth and running a hand through his hair. “Rolland Virani is going to die.”
I take another drink. But before I can set the glass down, someone’s arms are around my shoulders, hauling me from the booth. Rum spills onto the table.
Tyler jumps to his feet, shouting, “What the fuck!”
I whirl around and find Benji. He’s staring down at me like he wants to kill me, and everyone in the restaurant’s eyes are on us.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I demand, trying to pry Benji’s fingers off of my arms, but he won’t move.
“Let her go,” Tyler spits, coming up beside us. Tyler is shorter than Benji, but they’re both equally jacked.
Benji’s green-brown eyes are narrowed on mine, his jaw clenched. He’s breathing hard, and I see sweat on his brow, just below his thick, dark hair.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he growls at me.
From beside me, Tyler curses under his breath. “If you don’t let her go, I swear to fucking God—”
Benji ignores him. “I’ve called you six times. Caden has been looking for you everywhere—”
“What?” I ask, shaking my head. “Why? He was going to his mom’s—”
“And his dad isn’t there. He’s gone.”
“Gone?” Tyler asks. “Did someone kill him?” He sounds hopeful.
