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I’m not listening to him anymore. I’m busy celebrating, laughing, joking with my teammates. We’re in a good mood. We’re a team.
Daisy goes past Rebecca’s locker on her way to the showers and stops. “Okay,” she says. “September.” Rebecca doesn’t look up from her boots, but she’s smiling.
I look at Valentina, who’s talking to Rebecca. They’re friends now, they get along well. I’m glad they do. I’m also glad Daisy doesn’t hate me anymore.
“Let’s move this party to Amanecer,” I suggest. “We deserve some good food.”
Everyone agrees, and we head out.
At the parking lot, we each head to our own cars. As Valentina and I head for mine, I notice someone standing by Rebecca’s.
Esme.
“I’ll be right back,” I say to Valentina.
“You want me to go with you?” she asks.
“It’s okay. I just want to see what she wants.”
I walk over to Esme and Rebecca.
“Is everything okay here?” I ask.
“We’re about to find out,” Rebecca says, turning to Esme. “What do you want?”
“Your help,” Esme says. “I’m working on a story about Declan.”
Rebecca crosses her arms. “I don’t know anything about Declan that you don’t.”
“But you have something that I don’t,” Esme says. “Your testimony.”
“I’m not doing that,” Rebecca says. “I’m over it. I don’t want to dwell on it, I don’t want to relive it.”
Esme nods. “I understand. I won’t force you into anything you don’t want to do. I just thought I’d ask.”
Rebecca sighs. “I just got my life back. I’m not ready to be a story again.”
“The offer stands if you change your mind,” Esme says, then turns to me. “Hell of a game, Lexa. Dawnbreak’s start of the season is blowing everyone’s mind.”
“Thanks, Esme,” I say. I feel bad we can’t help her take the bastard down. “I hope you find someone who doesn’t have as much to lose as we do.”
“Me too,” Esme says.
I wave goodbye and return to Valentina, who’s leaning against my car with a curious expression on her face.
“What did she want?” she asks, getting in the passenger seat.
“She’s still digging up dirt on Declan,” I say, closing the door. “She wants Rebecca to go on record, but she said no.”
“Still?”
I start the car so I have something to do with my hands. “She came to me in June.”
Valentina looks at me for a second longer than she needs to. “You could’ve told me in June.”
“I know. I’m telling you now.”
“Okay,” she says, and she means it, but it still hangs in the air between us for a block or two.
