Page 34 of The Lucky One

I nodded, relieved. “Thank you, Paul.”

He studied me, his eyes filled with such care that I was on the verge of tearing up. “It’s not going to be easy, though,” he admitted, and I was grateful for his honesty.

“I know, it’s not easy for me either.” All he was doing was look at me and my pulse was skyrocketing. I felt our connection again—that feeling I had when we got together in the first place.

“It’s clear we’ll always be a part of each other’s lives.” He took in a breath, and in that moment I realized I was holding my own. “Do you think we can try and find a way to be... friends?” He put on a forced smile, a grimace that almost made me laugh.

“Friends sounds great,” I squealed. Realizing I sounded a bit too excited, I sobered my expression.

His eyes drifted to my mouth and back up to my eyes. “So, um...” He leaned in, opening his arms for a hug.

“Oh!” Pitching forward to meet him halfway, I accidentally banged my cheek against his bruised face. I jerked back. “Did I hurt you? I’m so sorry!”

“Emi.” He chuckled and smoothed a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’m fine.”

For a brief moment I felt my heart flare out of my chest. He was fine. Jon was fine. And I... I was fine, I think.

I grinned and went for the hug again. But it still didn’t feel quite right, as if this was far from the end of our journey to becoming friends. The attack on Paul hovered above us like a dark cloud. It was simply a question of when it would unload.

Interrogation

Paul

I never understood why Jon disliked his stepfather so much. Humphrey—or, as Jon called him, Shitface—had been nice to me, and even got Emily out of jail. But when he ordered Mom and Dad to wait outside while he questioned me—as if I wasn’t the victim here!—I got suspicious. It wasn’t an interrogation room like you see in movies with a two-way mirror and stark, blank walls. But Humphrey’s spotless office was still the embodiment of a police chief’s authority. The walls were covered with commendations and awards, and a large bookshelf stood behind him, filled with law books and case files.

By now I had told him everything about the assault, yet he kept tapping his index and middle fingers on the desk, waiting for more. I noticed a family picture on a shelf portraying everyone but Jon. Lauren, Jon’s sister, looked about twelve in it. My dislike for Humphrey grew.

“So that’s all?” he said, drawing my gaze back to him.

I tilted my head. “Yes?” It came out as a question despite being sure that I’d mentioned everything.

He frowned. “You’re suggesting that a black van had been following you, and subsequently a man with a gun attacked you on the street in broad daylight. The only reason they left, according to your account, is because Jon told them to leave you alone.”

“Yes.” This time my answer was more determined.

Humphrey leaned back in his chair and folded his hands. “If you find yourself embroiled in a senseless altercation and wish to avoid parental reprimand, there are more prudent methods than needlessly occupying police resources.”

I jumped to my feet. “Are you serious?” I yelled.

The door opened and a younger police officer rushed in. Humphrey raised his hand and told him to leave. Then he cleared his throat and pointed at my seat. I sat, feeling like a pawn in a game beyond my understanding.

“Did Jon put you up to this?” Humphrey said, his gaze piercing but measured.

“Put me up to this?” Now I got what Jon’s issue was with this guy.

“I want you to be honest with me, Paul. Did Jon have something to do with this?”

Last night I would’ve replied yes. When Emily defended him in a heartbeat, I couldn’t understand. Jon was the one with the criminal connections—I was just the guy who tagged along every now and then. But now that Humphrey was twisting my words to find a way to blame him, my protective shield went up.

“Jon helped me. The only reason he was there at all was that it happened in front of his house,” I reminded him.

Humphrey sighed. “Very well. I will record your statement. However, I regret to inform you that given the limited evidence you’ve provided, the prospect of an investigation appears quite improbable.”

I slapped my palms on the desk. If the chief of police wasn’t going to help me, I had nothing to lose. “Jon was right about one thing,” I said. “This place is nothing more than a circus act.”

Humphrey didn’t even flinch. I didn’t bother to wait for a reply.

Outside, I told my parents that it all went well. I would’ve said anything to reduce their concern.