‘I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t done what you did. I just don’t know. That’s what I was most afraid of. At the time, yeah, the immediate threat of what was happening was terrifying, but it was the thought of what could’ve happened that scared me more. What could have happened if I hadn’t ended it. If we hadn’t met. I don’t know. Maybe we’re still in shock. But honestly, I just feel kind of happy. I’m happy that we’re OK. And I’m happy that I’m here with you right now.’ June repositioned herself, nestled in the crook of my arm, the weight of her welcome and comforting. Aerially, it must have looked silly because of how much taller she was than me, but lying there, feeling it, having it happen – it didn’t feel silly at all. I felt myself stiffen, then relax. Put my arm round her neck and rested my hand on her bicep.

She was here. I was here. We were OK.

But I wasn’t finished. ‘Did you talk to that police officer?’

She nodded. ‘Mhm.’

‘What did you tell him?’

‘Anything. Whatever I could.’

‘And what did he tell you?’

‘That they couldn’t do shit.’

‘Same.’

She sighed, loud and long. ‘It’s such bullshit. There’s no proof. Can you believe it? There’s no proof of anything.’

‘Heath took your folder. Right?’

‘He said he burned it.’

I swore. ‘I was taking a video. In the car. Heath hadn’t seen but while I was trying to help you … Fuck. He smashed my phone. I don’t get it. How can the police do nothing? Like, bare minimum, that was reckless fucking driving. Right? How can nothing happen?’

‘His dad’s gotten him out of worse.’

‘There has to be something we can do. Mess up his Yale admission? Send out – I don’t know, letters?’

June shrugged.

‘I don’t know. Just something. Anything.’

She shook her head. ‘Like I said, he’s leaving for Connecticut right after the school year is finished. Some pre-semester class or something. So I – we – only have to worry about him until then. Actually, the last thing I want to do is mess up his admission. That’s the only thing that guarantees he’ll be away from me.’

‘But what about in the meantime? Are you sure he won’t try anything?’

‘I don’t think he will. He’ll get off the hook for this – for everything – but just barely. Barely. His dad’s gonna be pissed off because this is the worst he’s been, and even if he’s messed up right now, he’s too smart to try anything else. I’m not sure he’s convinced he can pull this shit any more.’ She paused. ‘Because of you, I guess.’

‘What do you mean?’