What did you do? he asks.

I laugh. How do you know I did something wrong?

He signs while giving me a knowing look. A woman doesn’t get mad for no reason. She gets mad because a man hurt her.

I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. I did hurt her. But I didn’t mean to.

Grandpa points toward the pool entrance. So apologize.

I look up and Raegan’s eyes lock with mine as soon as she walks through the door. She stops in her tracks, but Neil says something in her ear to coax her into staying.

I give her space and wait for her to help Annette into the water. She keeps her back turned to me while Neil takes Annette through her exercises.

Go talk to her. Grandpa gives me a nudge.

I swim over to Raegan. She won’t look at me, so I swim around her until she can’t avoid me.

“Raegan, please talk to me.”

Her hands fly to her hips. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“You don’t have to talk. Just listen. Please let me explain.”

She laughs. “Explain what? That the police found nothing in my house? That you’re a conniving asshole? That I never should’ve trusted you? Yeah, thanks. I figured that all out on my own.”

“My father had his friend get the search warrant. It wasn’t my doing. I didn’t know the police were going to show up at your house. I would’ve told you. I would’ve warned you.”

Raegan rolls her eyes. “Is that all? Is that your explanation?”

My shoulders droop. “I’m sorry, Raegan. Please believe me.”

“Believe you? The way you believed me when I told you that I didn’t steal your grandmother’s ring?” She shakes her head. “Leave me alone, Jaxon.”

I do as she asks, and swim back to my grandfather. She doesn’t want to talk to me, I sign.

He nods and pats me on the shoulder. She’ll come around.

I don’t know that she will. The more I think about this whole thing, the more I believe that Raegan never actually stole the ring in the first place.

But that still leaves me with one question.

Who did?

A week goes by and Raegan still won’t talk to me. Aside from personal reasons, we need to discuss the upcoming fundraiser. I resort to e-mail.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Fundraiser

Dear Raegan,

What’s the head count for the fundraiser? Let’s map out where each station will be. I think the animals should go in back of the school, near the playground.

Please come talk to me. I’ll be in my office after school today.

Sincerely,

Jax

Twenty minutes later, a reply pings on my e-mail.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: Re: Fundraiser

Dear Mr. Waters,