“I know, I know. I’m sorry.” I blink back hot tears and clear my throat. “But we were together all last night. When would I have laced Simon’s glasses?”

Nate just stares at me like he hadn’t thought about my obvious alibi. Eventually, some of the fire drains from his eyes and a long breath escapes from his lips. “Babe, I’m sorry,” he says, and that takes away the edge all his other words carried. “It’s just been a lot today.”

“Yeah, because you’re the one who had some random woman’s finger rammed up your ass, violated like an animal, then locked in a cage with psychos all day.”

I didn’t mean to say that. It slipped out so fast, I couldn’t stop it.

Nate flinches in surprise. “Did they...did they hurt you?”

I drop my eyes. I can’t take the look of pity that veils his features, the helplessness that swells in his eyes.

He sighs. “I didn’t mean to—Look, I’m gonna call my dad. See if he can wire me enough to bail you out. The hearing is in the morning, right?”

“Yeah. But Nate.” I take a breath. “Are you sure you want to ask him?”

“You think I’m just gonna stand back and let you sit in jail? Come on, B. I told you about this pride thing. Just let me help you.”

I don’t know whether I should thank him or apologize. I should probably do both.

But another thought crosses my mind. I stare at him, still thinking. “How much do you think it’ll be?”

I don’t know what amount I expected the judge to say, but a million dollars was definitely not it.

The phone shakes in my hand as I tell Nate the amount of my bail. He doesn’t seem as shocked as me.

I shake my head. “There’s no way your dad will give you that much.”

“We only need to get them a deposit to post the bond.”

I swallow, wondering why the public defender they assigned me didn’t tell me that part earlier. “Nate, I’m scared. This place is...” I choke on my words, unable to finish them.

“Hang in there, babe. Mind over matter. I’m gonna get you home. We’ll figure this out.”

So many things race through my mind, but all I can say is, “Love you.”

It’s a tiny murmur and I hate how it doesn’t even begin to encapsulate how I feel about him.

I don’t even get a chance to say bye before someone else jostles me from behind, demanding I hand over the phone. I roll my eyes and toss it to her. A guard follows me back to my cell.