The Bet: A Bully Romance(63)

“Yes, someone has come forward, and accused Remington of raping her.”

Her accusation sends me reeling.

A rush of anger breaks through my barriers like a wave crashing against a cliff’s edge.

“You’re wrong. Remington would never do that. You’re wrongfully accusing him.” He disappointed and betrayed me in so many ways, but I know…I know in my heart that he wouldn't do something like that.

Both Susan and the detective look at me with puzzled looks. “Jules, I heard the tape and I’ve seen the pictures…”

“Remington didn't take those and what exactly do you think happened on that tape?” I try to think back to that night, another memory I have to dig out of my brain because I tried to bury every single memory, thought, and feeling when it comes to him. I know he said some crude things to me that night, but would it have sounded like he was raping me?

“It’s not really clear what happened from just the sound. Was the sex in it consensual? Don’t feel like you need to protect him, Jules.”

My nostrils flare, and I clench my fists. Why are they trying to get me to admit to something that never happened?

“There was no sex. He just…” I pause, not wanting to say it what really happened, but then I realize they’ve already heard the tape and the only way to clear this up is tell them the truth. “We didn’t have sex, he…he just made me come…with his finger and then he left.” My cheeks heat at my confession.

Susan nods without judgment, encouraging me to keep talking. “But what about that party? People saw you leave with Remington that night.”

I jump up from my seat, unable to stay in a sitting position any longer.

“I don't want to talk about that night, okay?” I yell, unable to control the volume of my voice.

Susan gets up as well and takes a step toward me. Showing me her hands, palms up like she is trying to calm a wild animal. “

“Jules, you can tell us what happened. I know it’s hard, trust me I know, but this information might be crucial to the investigation into Remington. Whatever he did to you, he could’ve done to this other woman. Don’t you want to help us?”

Help them? Help them hurt him? I know the answer without even thinking.

“He didn't do anything to hurt me, he saved me that night. I was being such an idiot, I had a bad feeling, but I pushed it away.”

After I say the first few words, the rest follow with ease, the word vomit just keeps coming, and I don’t even care to stop it.

“I didn't know there was anything in the drink. I didn't taste anything, and suddenly I felt so weird. Hot and cold all at once. I didn’t want to go with him, but he brought me to the bedroom, and then he started to take my clothes off. I asked him to stop, but he didn’t…I begged him to stop and when that didn’t work, I tried to push him off, but he was too strong.” My voice cracks at the end, my broken soul shattering a little bit more and I don't even realize I’m crying until Susan hands me a tissue.

I swipe at my eyes and continue. “Remington came into the room and pulled Cole off of me, then he punched him.” I don't think I should tell the cops that I thought he was going to kill him, so I leave that part out. The last thing Remington clearly needs right now is to find himself with an assault charge.

“Then he helped me get dressed and got me out of there. That’s all that happened that night.”

“Who is Cole?” Susan asks, and I cringe just hearing his vile name. I don’t think I can talk or think about him for another second, but then I remember what Susan said in the beginning. This might help other girls in the future. If I don't speak up now, then Cole will walk away a free man, giving him the chance to do this to another woman and that in itself is enough to keep me talking.

“Cole was Remington’s roommate. He had this strange obsession with me. He’s the one who drugged me and tried to…” I can’t even say the word out loud, because then it feels like it’s real, like it happened, and though I know it almost did, it’s easier to swallow if I don’t say it.

“Then a few days after that, he cornered me. We shared a class together, he didn’t show up, so I thought I was safe, but after class, he got me alone and tried to force me to tell Remington that I wanted it. He made an idle threat about how I would pay if I didn’t. I was scared, but I wasn’t going to tell Remington because it was a lie, I didn’t want it.” Tears stain my cheeks.

“I didn’t want him,” I whisper more to myself than anyone else in the room.

“I know, Jules, I know you didn’t.” Susan comes up beside me, reaching out for me. She places her hand on my upper arm, her touch is gentle and comforting as she rubs her thumb over my skin. It reminds me of how my mother comforted me as a child, how Remington comforted me the night that all of this happened, and I miss that comfort...I miss him.

“It was never Remington. It was Cole. Remington saved me, and I only didn't say anything until now because I just wanted to forget.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself, this is completely normal,” Susan assures me and somehow that makes me feel better.

I don’t know why but I was sure people would judge me for what happened but now looking at her, seeing that there is no judgment at all in her gaze, and only understanding, I know I was wrong.