A knot lodged in my chest, and a bitter taste formed in my mouth as I thought of my ex-best friend and her betrayal. For a moment, I debated on answering her call. But if I wanted answers, there was only one way to find out. I tapped the green button on the screen and answered her with, “Hey, bitch.” I couldn’t hide the anger in my tone.
Silence.
“Regi?” Maya’s trembling voice gave me pause, and I almost asked her what was wrong. Then I remembered her tactics. She played the victim well.
“What do you want?” My tone was sharp and unbending.
“What’s wrong?”
“Tell me why you called, or I’m hanging up,” I threatened, not caring one bit if she was laying in a ditch and dying. Even if my old friend had pulled me from one all those years ago, she had broken my trust. Maya was no friend of mine anymore—not after how she’d lied to me and schemed to have me killed instead of her.
“My dad died four days ago. I’m home for his funeral tomorrow,” she said tearfully and my gut clenched, sorrow sliding in for her loss. Her father was a good man—at least, he was good to me.
Were Decker and Krew wrong? Was Maya a victim too?
“I’m sorry that your dad died. I know you two were close,” I admitted, less acidly.
“Where are you? I went to the apartment, but when I walked in there yesterday morning, I saw that someone had ransacked the place. I tried calling you several times. Why haven’t you been answering my calls and texts?”
“Long story. Since I’m heading home too, we can talk there,” I said, surprised at the calmness in my voice.
More silence.
“You’re coming back to Elida?”
“As we speak.”
“Oh.” Was that trepidation in her tone?
“Yes, oh. I’ll see you at your dad’s funeral. And after, we’re going to have a chat. Gotta go.” I hung up, feeling a hint of satisfaction.
I was able to breathe a little better, knowing I’d have the chance to confront her. Hopefully, she could clean up her mess and then Krew and I would be safe.
However, the further I got from Vermont, the ache in my chest intensified, like someone was carving my heart out with a dull spoon. But the pain also gave me clarity. Clarity to see that I’d be better off by myself. Better off to clear this mess with Maya—and hopefully put Teke behind bars.
First, I needed to go home and see my parents.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Krew
I didn’t hear a word Decker said before he took off around the front of the house.
I couldn’t—not when my ears were still ringing from Regina’s confession, the terrible truth she’d been holding onto all this time. The day we got arrested… Teke had raped her. Now the truth was rotting in my chest, heavy and foul.
All this time, I had thought she was safe, away from the cops, away from the danger my brother had put us in.
This cold, dead weight where my heart used to be was rage that burned bright. I let out another roar of fury and dropped to the ground. All I saw was red and I began pummeling the dirt. The small bits of stone in the dirt cut into my knuckles, adding to the bloody mess. I wished the entire time I was punching Teke’s face.
“Hey-hey.” Decker was on his knees beside me, and he caught me mid-punch. He took my face into both hands. “Stop.”
“Regi?” I was hoping Decker stopped her from leaving.
“She’s gone. And she took my damn truck.”
“It’s all my fault.” I wrenched my face away from his touch. I didn’t deserve his affection or his solace. “If we hadn’t gotten into that car—Teke—if I had only said no…” I barely got out the words before I pushed Decker out of my way and I started punching the ground again.
“Stop, damn it.” Decker got in my face, his hands gripped my neck and he pressed his forehead against mine. “Take a breath,” he demanded.
