I shifted uncomfortably. It wasn’t a question, but it called for an answer, nonetheless. “It was happenstance, really.”
The words felt like a lie, but I let them stand. I took Lawson through everything Aspen had endured, and by the time I stopped talking, he looked about ready to tear his office apart.
“What the hell is wrong with people?” he snarled.
“My thoughts exactly.”
Lawson scrubbed a hand over his face. “What do you know about the podcast?”
“From what I can tell, they’ve got a big audience. Almost half a million followers on their social accounts.”
“Shit,” he grumbled. “You think they heeded your warning?”
“Nope. Drove by their rental cabin on my way into town. They’re still there.”
Lawson stared at me for a beat. “And how’d you find out where they were staying?”
I shrugged. “Not really important.”
He sighed. “Roan.”
“I’m not asking you to use the information in a court of law.”
“I know, but—”
“All you need to worry about is giving them an official warning that sends them packing. If they don’t listen, I’ll play bad cop.”
Lawson frowned. “But you’re not a cop.”
“Okay, I’ll play if you don’t get your sorry asses out of here and never bother Aspen again, you’ll live to regret it.”
Lawson was silent for a long time as if choosing his words extremely carefully. “This has to bring up things for you.”
I stiffened. “It’s not about that.”
“It might not be, but that doesn’t mean it won’t stir up some demons. A chunk of this town believed you did something horrible.”
“I’m aware,” I gritted out.
Memories battered at the walls I’d constructed in my mind. A fist connecting with my jaw. A boot slamming into my ribs. Fighting to stay conscious.
“Roan, I know it messed with you.”
My throat burned. But he didn’t know. None of my family did. Lie after lie. They’d simply built on each other.
Instead of coming to and telling someone what had happened, I’d half-crawled to the doctor and said I’d taken a fall while mountain biking. The doctor had been skeptical, but since I was over eighteen, there wasn’t a damned thing he could do. My medical records were confidential.
My parents were such a wreck about the shootings and Wren, they hadn’t even questioned my story. My siblings were much the same. There was a brief moment when I thought Lawson might’ve known there were things I wasn’t saying, but he never pushed.
I stared my brother dead in the eyes. “Trust me. I know it twisted me.”
More than he would ever understand. I never saw their faces. Had to walk around town wondering who it had been. Still wondered. Every single person I came across was a suspect. It wasn’t just the physical injuries. It was the psychological stuff.
I swallowed down the burn coursing up my throat. I wouldn’t let what happened to me happen to Aspen.
18
ASPEN
Maddie and Cady belted out the lyrics to Shake It Off as we pulled into the elementary school parking lot. Neither of them was particularly on key, which just made me smile wider.
Maddie came to a stop and turned down the stereo. “You ready for an awesome day?”
“The awesomest,” Cady said with a grin.
“That’s my bestie. We shake off the haters.” She held out a hand for a high-five.
Cady slapped her palm against Maddie’s. “Think Taylor Swift likes glitter?”
“Duh,” Maddie said.
I chuckled, hopping out of the SUV and letting Cady out.
Katelyn walked by with Heather in tow. “Still without a car?”
I forced a grin. “I really appreciate just how much you look out for me, Katelyn.”
Katelyn’s haughty smile faltered. It was almost as if my back-handed compliment had short-circuited her brain. She huffed out a breath and stormed toward the school.
“She’s grumpy all the time, not just when she needs a snack,” Cady piped in.
I laughed and pulled her into a hug. “Some people are just unhappy, Katydid.”
She tipped her head back so she could look up at me. “It’s a lot more fun being happy.”
“I agree.” I kissed the top of her head. “Where’s Charlie?” Usually, we got here at the same time.
Cady frowned. “He had to come early today because his dad had to work.”