Read Online Therapy by Kathryn Perez - Free Book Online Page B

my fault.’ It’s just really hard not to feel that way because I know if I had gotten there on time, she’d still be here today.”
    “You can’t know that. You can’t take this on as your responsibility. You were a kid too. It was a terrible tragedy, but it wasn’t your fault,” I say urgently, wanting him to understand.
    He lets out a huge sigh and runs his hands through his hair again. He does that a lot, I notice, and I wonder if it’s just an anxious habit of his.
    “Let’s get out of here. I just wanted you to see, to know this part of me because I never want you to think I’m like them. I know I almost kissed you, but I swear I’m not trying to use you or be a part of some fucking scheme to set you up like Harrison did.”
    He looks at me with sad eyes.
    “I knew something was off when they changed the plans for the night. I’m sure they didn’t want me to be there because they knew I’d never stand by and let it happen. Yet again I was too late to save someone from getting hurt.”
    Regret spreads across his face and he looks so pained.
    “The weight of what they did to you was too heavy. I told Elizabeth it was over and that if she retaliated at all, I’d go to her parents and tell them what she did to you. I meant it too.”
    I have no idea what to say. He looks at me in earnest and says, “You need to let me know if she does or says anything at all to you. I’m disgusted with myself for giving her the last year of my life. I knew she was a catty bitch, but that night showed me it was on another level. She’s different away from school, and I always gave her the benefit of the doubt, because there are things she has had to deal with in her life that fuel her mean streak. But regardless, what she did was inexcusable. I can’t look past that bullshit.”
    Wow.
    He answered all my questions with that statement.
    I’m happy and sad all at the same time because now he’s feeling guilty for what happened to me, when in reality it was my fault. I’m the one who let Harrison use me. I chose to get out of my car that night, to let them have their way with me like some sacrificial lamb. I was stupid. An idiot, really. It’s not his fault, no matter when he showed up. The fact that he cared enough to help when he got there is all that matters to me in the end.
    “Okay. Thank you for bringing me here, for sharing that painful part of your past with me. I promise I’ll hold all of your secrets safely inside,” I say.
    We walk side by side to his truck and he opens the passenger door for me again, ever the gentleman. After he gets in and backs out of the cemetery, we drive back toward his house. We sit in an uncomfortable silence all the way there. As we pull up the drive, he finally speaks up.
    “Thank you for listening. It means a lot, and I hope I didn’t scare you or anything. I don’t know why, but I trust you, Jess. I know my secrets are safe with you. If you ever want to talk, know that your secrets can be safe with me too.”
    A warm smile spreads across his face and I can see life come back into his eyes. Emotions are swirling inside me and I just want to hug him, squeeze tight, and never let him go. But I refrain and just return his smile, nodding.
    “Well, I guess you got saved from a good ass-kicking after all, but it’s only a temporary pardon, my friend. Tomorrow after school, meet me here and we’ll see who reigns supreme in the pool,” he teases.
    Yeah, the cocky, confident Jace is back. I really like this Jace, but the other one is nice too. I look over, tilting my head to the side, and give him my best sarcastic expression.
    “Okay, Mr. Big Shot Athlete. You keep telling yourself that story, but the ending still needs to be written. I’ll do that for you tomorrow—with pleasure,” I reply confidently.
    He chuckles as he slides out of his seat, dropping to the ground. Being the gentleman he always seems to be, he comes around and opens my door for me. He helps me out and