“You’ve gotten used to the water?”
“Yes,” she said, with a note of disbelief in her voice. “I didn’t even notice. But it’s not cold anymore. It feels...good.”
“Come on,” he said. “Let’s swim for a bit.”
She jerked her head up, and he assumed it was in agreement. So he pulled on her hand, using one arm to stroke, pulling them away from the raft and into the middle of the deepest part of the river.
Their joined hands were the only point of contact, and he thought that was probably best. He moved her around, until they were side by side, then he said, “Now lie back and float.”
She didn’t argue with him or even say anything. She just did what he told her to do. When she was on her back, he kept their joined hands between them and lay back on his as well.
He’d only done this a handful of times in his life. Swimming in the river at night wasn’t exactly something he’d done every summer.
They did run wild, but the river was pretty far away from their home, and until they could drive, it wasn’t a place they went very often.
Still, he knew it was beautiful, almost unreal, to be lying in the cold water, feeling it lap against his ears, with the night sounds drifting across the surface, the stars and the bright moon reflecting as he stared up into the heavens. It was an experience that one probably would never forget. Especially with Justice beside him.
He looked up, aware of all the things he’d always been aware of and more, because this time, Justice was holding his hand. It made everything better in a way he couldn’t describe.
Maybe it wasn’t entirely innocent on his part, because he knew that touching her and kissing her in the water in the dark would be even more amazing. But too much of that would take away the beauty of the moment, or at least turn it into something different, and he didn’t want that.
Unless she did. He could be persuaded.
But he’d felt, since the very beginning when he’d met her along the trail, that Justice was different. He still felt that way. And his actions needed to back that up.
Chapter 14
Justice had gone home with a huge smile on her face. Honestly, all her life, she thought girls that got all dreamy-eyed and fixated on some boy were just sappy, romantic idiots.
And yet, there she was, at three o’clock in the morning, floating into her house, sappy and romantic and fixated on one guy. Sad.
She was also soaking wet and cold. She would have thought with the heat and humidity the way it was, she couldn’t possibly be cold, but she had the heater on in her car on the way home.
It didn’t matter. It had easily, beyond a doubt, been the best night of her life. Ever.
Ironically, as close as they were in the raft, as much as he’d never let go of her hand while they were in the water, and even as they swam together side by side, he hadn’t touched her.
She certainly wouldn’t have minded another scorching kiss like the one that he’d given her the previous night. His good-night kiss had touched the corner of her lips, and that was it.
Honestly, the passion was great, but that kiss on the corner of her lips was ninety percent of the reason for her sappy smile. She was pretty sure that was the point where she had fallen in love with Thad Truax.
Which was about the dumbest thing she could ever do.
Still, that feeling of floating followed her through the rest of the week.
And the week after.
They never went back to the river, but they met, almost every night, by the rock. Thad walked Beau while she did her yoga. She became familiar with the night and the sounds and the dark and associated it with good things.
Because when Thad and Beau were done walking, they’d climb up on the rock with her, and sit close, looking at the stars. Or they’d walk down to the river and maybe put their feet in the water.
One night he brought fishing rods and attempted to teach her the rudiments of fishing. She supposed learning how to fish might be easier in the daylight, but she also kind of figured that fishing in the dark was more fun. Even if they didn’t catch a thing.
A few times Thad asked if she were ready. She didn’t have to ask for what. He wanted to know if they could have more than a few hours at night, alone, in secret, together.
She said no all three times.
But the memories they’d made over the hot summer nights were the best of her life. She couldn’t think about what might happen as the weather turned colder and summer slipped away.
So she didn’t, and the weeks flew by.
Saturday morning, she dragged herself out of bed, because she’d promised Libby that they would clean their parents’ attic together.
Libby seemed to be in her own world too, and they didn’t say too much to each other as they drove to their parents’ house and let themselves in.
Part of the reason they planned to do it today was because they knew their parents weren’t going to be home. The fourth Saturday of the month was their perpetual breakfast date with coworkers and friends at the country club.
They should have the house to themselves until lunch at least.
Justice couldn’t let Libby clean the attic by herself, and she couldn’t help but feel protective toward her sister, who was sweet and nice and whom everyone loved.
She did kind of want to ask about Libby’s relationship with Blade. Libby had explained that it was a fake relationship, and Justice had worried about her. As Justice had figured, everyone talked about it. Most of the talk wasn’t good.
Still, Justice would defend her sister with her last breath, although she wouldn’t have ever said she would get involved with a Truax boy herself. Except, after spending so much time with Thad, she thought maybe it could be worth it.
Was she ready to make their relationship a public one?
Thad hadn’t been bashful about the fact that he wanted them to be more than a secret romance in the dark, but he had respected her reticence. She supposed after watching Libby and Blade, even though their relationship wasn’t supposed to be real, exactly, but still, how their families hadn’t really given them too hard of a time.
Libby had mentioned that their dad had been rude and their mother unkind, but Justice thought Thad might think it was worth it. She did too.
In fact, not just worth it, but she almost wanted the world to know that she and Thad were together. She had never thought of herself as a man’s woman before and would never have said that she would want to be someone’s girl. It was crazy, but she wanted it with Thad.
Maybe she was just deep in thought, or maybe she was tired, but whatever the reason, she moved a box, intending to sweep behind it, but it hit a nail, one that had always been in their attic floor, ever since she was a small child. She knew the nail was there and tried to miss it, usually.
But she just wasn’t paying attention, and as she slid the big box across the floor, it caught the nail. She tripped, lost her balance, and the contents of the box flew everywhere.
Immediately, Libby rushed over, as fast as she could, asking if she was okay. She was, of course. Just mad. She knew that dumb nail was there. And she knew she needed to try to miss it. Now she had a mess to clean up.
Libby knelt down on her side of the mess and began picking things up.
At least it was Mariam’s box. Mariam had at least three or four big boxes up there from their childhood. There were a bunch of other things of Mariam’s up there too, but Mariam never helped clean. It was ironic that it was Mariam’s box that had been spilled.
Although, as she knelt, picking up books and dolls and whatever else Mariam had thought valuable enough to stick in a box and keep at her parents’, she tried to imagine how it would look to have Thad with her family. Mariam. Who had accused Blade of molesting her. Thad’s brother went to jail because of her family.
Libby had explained to her that she and Blade were pretending to have a relationship because they needed their shop to look respectable. It was only for the summer. It w
asn’t like Libby was actually going to have Blade at the family table. Spend holidays together.
But that’s what she wanted with Thad.
How would that even work?
She’d been so caught up in her thoughts and what she was doing that she didn’t realize right away that Libby had stopped picking things up and was reading a handwritten piece of paper. No, actually it looked like one of Mariam’s diaries had flown apart when the box hit the floor.
Libby was reading Mariam’s diary.
“What are you doing over there?” Justice asked. “If you don’t want to help, that’s fine. And if you’re reading Mariam’s stuff, that’s weird.”
“Maybe you should read it.” Something about her tone made Justice freeze as Liberty handed a page over to her.
Normally, Justice wouldn’t touch something like that, but there was something in Liberty’s tone that made her feel like this was big.
Thirty seconds later, Justice said, “Oh my goodness. Our parents, Dad, needs to see this.”
“That’s my thought exactly.” Liberty gathered up the rest of the diary, along with its cover, and took the page that Justice handed her back. “I’m not sure, even with this, that they will believe Blade is innocent. But it’s worth a try.”
“How could they deny it? It’s right here. In her own handwriting. In her diary!” Justice stood. Her heart burned in her chest. Anger. Anger at herself, yes. Because she’d been duped.
But mostly, anger at Mariam. How could she have done this? How could she ruin someone’s life like this? How could she have lied? How could she have gotten her entire family to go along with her lie?
She owed Thad a major apology.
Justice paced. “I don’t know exactly how it would work. He’d probably need a new trial, but he’s obviously innocent. He shouldn’t have to register anymore.” Justice stopped pacing. “I’m sorry.”
She faced her sister. They’d argued about this before, with Liberty saying that without evidence, she couldn’t convict Blade. Justice had just assumed that Liberty had never had the experience that she had. Where she’d been attacked, and no one had believed her. “I’m truly sorry I didn’t believe him, and I argued with you.”
Liberty met her eyes. “Thanks. Forgiven, of course.”
Justice sighed, her lips downturned. “I’m going to have to apologize to him.”
“That would probably be right. A lot of people owe him an apology.”
“He’d better get one from our parents. From Dad. From Mariam.” Most of all from Mariam. But her parents too.
Their whole family had done that man wrong. And after the way Thad talked during that night on the river, about their childhood and everything that they had suffered, it just made everything worse. Justice and her family had so many advantages, and they’d used them against the Truax family, against Blade.
“I can’t wait to tell him.” Liberty was practically glowing, and Justice wondered whether her feelings for Blade were more than just wanting to help his shop improve their reputation. She almost suspected Liberty might be falling in love with Thad’s brother.
“I’ll finish up your work. I think you should rush off and let him know immediately. Don’t wait.” Justice grinned huge as she handed the diary back to Libby.
Normally, Libby would turn that down. She would work until the work was done. Liberty struggled some physically, but she never allowed that to keep her from doing just as much work as everyone else.
“Thank you.” She took the diary, returned the smile, and hurried to the stairs.
At that point, Justice had a lot to think about as she slowly picked up the rest of the stuff in Mariam’s box and shoved it back. They could finish cleaning the attic some other time. This was huge. Her parents needed to know, definitely.
Justice needed to talk to Thad.
But she didn’t know what to say.
I was wrong. For starters.
But what else?
It wasn’t too long until she had the attic in good enough shape that she could leave it indefinitely, and she hurried down the stairs.
Libby must have called or texted Blade, because he was there, and they were talking, with Libby holding the diary.
At that moment, her parents pulled in the drive, in their red sedan.
Justice could tell, from the look on Blade’s face, that even though he was happy, of course, he didn’t really think anybody was going to believe him.
Justice could sympathize with that look. She’d been there when there was evidence, and people only believed what they wanted to believe. It didn’t matter how much evidence was staring them in the face.
Well, the words were there, black and white, in Mariam’s diary, and Blade would know that Justice was on his side.
“I guess I got here just in time,” Justice said coming up from behind them. “I can be a witness. That we found that,” she pointed to the diary, “in Mariam’s box. Of course, it’s in her handwriting, but just in case anyone tries to say that someone tried to forge this, you and I both know that’s not what happened. I’ll back you up.” She crossed her arms over her chest and faced the garage with Liberty.
Liberty turned grateful eyes to Justice. “Thank you so much.”
She put her arm around Blade and watched as her parents walked out of the garage.
Their dad got within earshot and didn’t give anyone else a chance to speak. “What’s that child-molesting sex offender doing on my property?” The judge didn’t even look at Blade. His words were directed at Liberty. “You better get him off my property, or I’m calling the cops and reporting him for trespassing.”
“Dad, we found Mariam’s diary in the attic when we were cleaning. Justice accidentally dropped a box, and I read the pages where she admits that she lied about Blade.” Liberty’s words were slightly rushed, but she said them with confidence.
Justice took a deep breath and kept her mouth closed. She was here for backup.
“You’re making it up. I’m not blind. I’ve seen you two around town. I hear about it, too. It’s embarrassing, after what our family’s been through because of him, that you’re running around being his little tramp.”
Justice cringed. That’s exactly what she expected her father to say if anything were to ever come out about Thad and her. She wasn’t sure she could put Thad through that.
Maybe he wouldn’t want to go through it. Not for her. She could hardly imagine that he would think she was worth it.
Liberty kept her chin up. “Daddy, you didn’t hear me. Mariam lied.”
Justice couldn’t stay silent any longer. “I was there. Liberty is telling you exactly what happened. I spilled the box, the diary came out in pieces. And when she picked up the page, she noticed the date and read it. She didn’t have time to make any markings on the page. Plus, you can see that it’s all in Mariam’s handwriting.” Justice waved at the book that Liberty was holding.
“Dad, you’re always saying that we should listen to the facts and make our decisions based on rational thought. But you’re not doing that right now.” Liberty still spoke softly but firmly. Her words were slower, clearer.
Their dad’s face had turned mottled red. “I don’t need to. He was tried, and he was convicted in a court of law. He was sent to prison. He served time. Now he’s a registered sex offender. There’s nothing for me to believe.” He looked like he wanted to bang a gavel on a desk, but he let a dark glower suffice and walked past them into the house, slamming the door behind him.
Liberty’s eyes followed their dad into the house before turning to their mother, who still stood in front of them.
“Mom?” she whispered softly.
Justice’s heart broke for her. Their dad wouldn’t listen. Justice wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised if he never did. And that’s exactly why she wanted to keep her relationship with Thad a secret.
She couldn’t imagine how this was hurting Blade either. Because looking at Liberty and Blade together, it was
obvious to Justice that they were in love.
“Is that really what the diary says?” her mother asked in a tone that was almost humble.
“Yes.” Liberty’s voice was firm.
Her mom nodded. Justice felt bad for her too. It wasn’t easy to be married to their dad.
“Your dad can be pretty hard at times. But if the diary is real, if that confession is in Mariam’s handwriting, then he will come around. He will believe you.”
“I know that too, Mom.”
Chapter 15
For the first time, Justice wished she had Thad’s phone number. She wanted to go to him immediately and tell him what she had learned. Apologize. Make him understand that, at the time, she had to believe her sister.
After what they talked about before, she was pretty sure he would understand, although she had always been adamant about Mariam’s innocence and Blade’s guilt.
And she had been wrong.
In all the time they’d spent together, with a few exceptions, and that night on the river being a big glaring one, they pretty much kept their pact they’d begun with. Where they’d said their outside lives wouldn’t come in.
She didn’t even know where he lived.
She could, however, find the Richmond Rebels’ garage. Everyone in Peach Bottom knew where that was. They were famous, or notorious, depending on which circle one ran in.
But she couldn’t go to the garage. It was Saturday; he might not be there anyway. But if she went to the garage, people would know about them. She didn’t think they necessarily had a relationship, exactly.
Or did they?
She wasn’t sure.
And that was probably sad. No, it was definitely sad. Considering the prestige of her job, and what people saw when they looked at her, it was pathetic that she was sneaking around, wandering down by the river at night, meeting a man that no one in her circles or in her family would approve of, like she was a teenager still in high school.
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