Chapter 9: Exposed

With her right hand ‘injured,’ Rachel got even wilder, hanging out with Jason every day. She skipped class, snuck out after curfew, and her grades tanked.

One Sunday, my mom was busy in the kitchen and said, "Eric, go call Rachel to come eat at our place."

I didn’t want to, and my mom frowned. "What are you two fighting about now? Rachel’s hand is broken, her parents are away on business, she’s home alone—poor girl."

"Be a man, be generous and tolerant. Go on, call Rachel over."

In my mom’s eyes, Rachel was still that sweet, spoiled little girl. She couldn’t see what Rachel had become—or maybe she just didn’t want to.

I figured I’d just walk over, come back, and say she wasn’t home. I wasn’t in the mood for drama.

Rachel lived next door. The porch light was off, but music thudded from inside.

I heard ambiguous laughter coming from her house. As an adult, I knew exactly what was going on. It was obvious, even if the neighbors tried to pretend otherwise.

I was about to turn and leave when the door suddenly opened.

Jason stood there shirtless, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, clearly after sex. He smirked at me, looking me up and down.

The air was thick with an indescribable smell. The living room behind him was a mess—clothes strewn everywhere, TV blaring some reality show.

"Four-eyes, did you enjoy eavesdropping? You know you gotta pay for that, right?" He blew a ring of smoke in my direction, taunting.

Behind him, Rachel was hurriedly buttoning her shirt, hair messy, cheeks flushed, and red marks obvious on her neck.

Even more absurd—her right hand was perfectly fine.

So it was all a lie. There was no fracture. I almost laughed out loud.

I just hadn’t expected them to be so bold, doing this when no one was home. They didn’t care about consequences. Not even a little.

Jason shoved my shoulder, eyes cold. "Keep staring and I’ll gouge your eyes out, virgin."

Rachel came over and threatened, "Eric, if you dare tell my parents, I can’t guarantee what Jason will do to you."

Her lips were swollen, with bite marks all over. The sight made me queasy.

I didn’t want trouble. "My mom asked you to come eat, but if you’re not home, forget it."

Jason grinned, kissed her, and blew smoke into her mouth. She laughed, leaning against the doorframe, daring me to say anything.

Before I left, I added, "By the way, don’t mess with me again, or I might just let something slip." I turned on my heel, slamming the gate behind me for emphasis.