FADING (A novel)(74)

“Shit, Candace, I had no idea,” he pleads. “I honestly thought you . . .”

“Would be over it by now?! I can’t. He won’t ever let me,” I sob out. “I can still feel his hands all over me, and I hate it.”

“God.”

“All I have ever asked is for you to drop it, and now you bring this shit up?! Now?!”

“I thought . . .”

“I just can’t. And God, Ryan would find out.”

“He doesn’t know?”

“No! He’ll never know. He can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I’d lose him. He’d run away. Who would want me?”

“You have to tell him.”

“No, I don’t. This is my secret, and I plan to keep it that way.”

“Candace, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.” His voice is hurt, and I feel horrible for blowing up at him like that.

“I’m sorry,” I say then hug him. “I’m sorry.”

“I never thought you’d be over it; I know you better than that. I just thought that you’d be in a little bit of a better place.”

“Can we just forget about it?”

“Of course. Forgotten.”

I decide to call it a night. Jase wanted me to spend the night, but I really need some space.

Seth’s car is parked out front when I get home. As I walk past it, I notice for the first time that he has Greek letters on his back window; the same Greek letters of Jack’s fraternity.

Oh my god.

Does Kimber know this? She’d almost have to know. I start to panic a bit, wondering if she’s talked to Jack, and if so, what was said. Did he say anything about me?

I feel uncomfortable when I walk in and see Kimber and Seth watching a movie in the living room. I quickly walk through the room. Kimber doesn’t say anything; she simply sits on the couch and looks at me when I walk to my room. This tension with Kimber hurts and the fact that Jase and I just had an argument, when we never argue, has me emotionally exhausted. God, I hate this.

?????

Ryan seemed excited this morning on our run that I was finally going to come by his bar and hang out. After everything that happened with Jase last night, I am more apprehensive than ever, but I stuff it down deep because I know Ryan wants me at the bar with him tonight.

He’s already there—he’s been working all afternoon—and Mark drove with Chasten, the drummer, for a quick sound check. So, I’m getting ready and hanging out with Jase. The tension between us has dissipated and neither one of us mentions our fight.

Sliding my black boots on over my jeans, I say, “Okay, I’m ready.”

“Finally,” Jase teases as we start to head out.

I pull my hooded black raincoat over my plum satin swing top and lock the door behind me. When we get in the car, I text Ryan to let him know we are on our way.

“Mark is really excited that you’re coming tonight.”

“I feel bad that I’ve missed all of his shows,” I say.

“Don’t. He gets it.”

Jase turns in down an alley, and I give him a look as he says, “We’re parking in the back employee lot.”

As we drive around the building, I’m surprised at the size. I had no idea he owned a place this big. Although it’s dark and rainy out, I can see that the front lot and side streets are lined with cars.

Jase turns the car into a small empty spot in the back. When I get out and turn around, away from the car, my heart freezes—I can’t breathe.

Holy shit.

I zone in on the blue chipped paint. I see those chips that expose the dark metal underneath almost every day. I’d know them anywhere.

When I take a step back, the heel of my boot snags on a divot in the asphalt and I trip, falling on my bottom. I begin to panic when I hit the ground. All I see is that dumpster, and I can’t get up fast enough.

I can’t even hear Jase as I see his lips move as he squats in front of me. Quickly, I pull myself up and Jase follows, grabbing my shoulders, he puts me back in the car. I lower my head to my knees and begin to sob uncontrollably.

When Jase gets in the car, I start screaming, “Get me out of here! Go! Get me out of here!”

He doesn’t say a word as he starts the car. I sit up, with sobs wracking me. I’m still screaming when I see the back door open, and Ryan comes out. His eyes meet mine, and I can see the shock in his face as I’m crying and screaming at Jase to drive.

He rips out of the parking lot as I hear Ryan yelling my name.

Covering my face with my hands, I continue to wail.

Jase pulls the car into a gas station and throws the car in park. Getting out, he comes around to my side, opens my door, and kneels down beside me.

“Candace, I need you to breathe. Calm down, okay?”

But I can’t. That night keeps replaying in my head. That dumpster. Jack ripping off my clothes. Digging my nails in the asphalt, trying to get away. It all flashes through me.

“Candace, look at me. What’s wrong?”

Letting my head fall in my hands, I say, “That’s the alley. That’s the alley Jack . . .” I still can’t bring myself to say that word, but no words are needed when Jase pulls me into him and holds me.

“Oh God,” he mutters over and over as I cry.