Behind me, Daisy playfully bites my shoulder, climbing down the plane’s stairs, straight onto the private runway. We’re the last off.
I glance back at her, and she’s smiling so fucking bright that it’s hard not to share it.
“You look happy,” I say.
“I’m not just happy,” she tells me. “I’m fucking happy.”
I kiss the top of her head and step onto the cement. The overcast sky darkens the airport. We follow our parents and our friends towards two parked black Escalades and one limo. Nola, the Calloway’s driver, opens the Escalade’s door.
“Congratulations again, Rose,” Samantha says, kissing her daughter’s cheeks. “If Connor’s too busy to go to any of your doctor’s appointments, you call me. I’ll be there.”
Rose gives her a tight smile, which is polite for Rose’s fucking standards. And then her mom disappears inside the Escalade.
Greg gives Connor a hug before he climbs into the car behind Samantha. They leave first, and Connor says to Rose, “I’m not missing your doctor’s appointments.”
“Thank God.” She lets out a breath.
“Thank me, darling.”
She glares at him, and he stares at her like he’d enjoy taking her in his limo and fucking her hard. I just shake my head and then turn to my brother. “Daisy and I are going to call a cab.”
“Nonsense,” my dad says, still here apparently. He walks over to me and then gestures to Anderson, his driver that has opened the backdoor of the second Escalade. “I’m headed to Philly. I can drop you both off at your apartment complex.”
Daisy watches my expression, and I shake my head at my dad.
“It’ll save gas,” he says dryly. He flashes a half-smile, one that reminds me of Lo.
My brother, Lily, Connor and Rose just stay and witness the disagreement, waiting for me to make a fucking decision.
I don’t think long about it. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to call a fucking cab.”
But I have no real time to even take out my cellphone. At that same moment, another car drives up on the runway. As soon as I get a good look at it, my face hardens, my shoulders lock, and my heart fucking drops.
“What…” Daisy’s voice pitches with fear.
The vehicle rolls to a stop beside the Escalade, blue lights flashing silently on the roof. A police officer emerges, his eyes locked on me, confirming my gut feeling.
I’m about to go to jail.
“What’s going on?” Lo asks, looking to our father for answers.
My dad’s brows furrow, and I see the confusion all over his face. He didn’t know about this. The officer approaches me with a stern gait, and Daisy holds tightly onto my hand, refusing to let go.
“Daisy,” Rose calls, stepping towards her, but Connor forces his wife back with an outstretched arm.
“Lily, keep Rose here,” he orders.
“Richard—” Rose refutes.
“Let me handle it,” Connor says calmly. Rose backs down, and Lily does as she’s told, grabbing Rose’s hand and keeping her by her side, away from whatever the fuck is about to happen.
“What’s going on?” my brother asks the officer again.
He answers by stopping right in front of me. “Ryke Meadows?”
“Yeah.” I don’t know why he fucking asks whether it’s me. He knows it is.
Then the officer takes out handcuffs, and I hear a car door shut. I look up, and a second police officer is coming as back up.
I immediately shake off Daisy’s hand. “You need to go with Connor,” I tell her. He’s already walking towards Daisy to take her home.
“No.” Daisy shakes her head repeatedly, and I think we both know what this is about and where this is headed.
“Yes,” I growl. “This isn’t up for fucking discussion. You’re going home with them. I’ll see you later.”
“You did nothing wrong,” she tells me, tears welling. Connor puts a hand on her shoulder and starts guiding her backwards towards his limo. “You did nothing wrong!”
Doesn’t fucking matter.
“Ryke Meadows,” the first officer says, ignoring Daisy, “you’re under arrest for statutory rape—”
Daisy bursts into tears. “No!” she cries like someone stabbed her heart. My face contorts in pain as I watch her, knowing she’s blaming herself for putting me here. But it’s not her fucking fault.
“You have the right to remain silent…” I can’t hear anything else. My ears buzz. All the happiness that I saw in Daisy just completely snuffs out in a fucking instant. She tries to rush over to me, but Connor grabs her around the waist, forcing her back. She sobs, and I can’t do a fucking thing. I just have to stand here and watch.