Page 103 of What They'll Say About Us

"It's ironic how many people didn't act when they had the chance to be heroic. Sloane didn't jump into the lake. And Cabot refused to ask questions that he didn't want to know the answer to."

"That's true, but you were different from everyone else. You acted," Colton said.

"Nine years after she died and only because Alina asked me to get involved."

"But then you jumped into everything. You asked all the probing questions you could come up with. You shook everyone up. And you didn't let anyone scare you away."

"People used to call me Hurricane Tessa, and not in a good way. They said I left a wake of destruction in my path. They weren't totally wrong."

"Maybe back then, but not now. And it doesn't matter what other people say, Tessa."

"What people say can hurt."

"Only if their words are just confirming what you already think."

I thought about that. "You might be right. You're a smart guy, Colton Barclay. And you saved my life today. How can I ever pay you back?"

He shrugged. "No payback required. But it might be nice to have a drink when this is all over."

"I could use one. You arrived in the nick of time. My hand was slipping. My body felt so heavy." My stomach clenched at the memory. "I was going to die like Paige had died, with only two people knowing what happened and probably not telling anyone. Although, Sloane might have cracked eventually. She did try to save me." I paused. "What's going to happen to her?"

"I know you want all the answers now, Tessa, but we need to finish the investigation. And I need to hear her story for myself. I just hope I haven't made a mistake in letting her stay here tonight."

"You haven't," I said confidently. "She won't run again. What Garrett did was too much for her to bear. She'd already been living with nine years of guilt for freezing when Paige tumbled into the water. She should have tried to save her or call for help. She was wrong about that. But the truth is not as black and white as I expected it to be."

"It never is. Go back to the hotel, Tessa. Get some food. Some rest. We'll talk tomorrow."

As he turned to leave, I said, "Wait."

He gave me a questioning look.

"I just want to say thank you again. And I wanted to ask if I could give you a hug?"

He opened up his arms, and I walked into his solid and comforting embrace, giving him a hug that I needed more than he did. "Thanks," I said as I pulled away and gazed into his eyes. "For everything."

"You're welcome. And for future reference, you never have to ask." He smiled, then headed to his car.

I got into my aunt's vehicle, my own smile widening when I realized he wasn't going to leave first. He was going to follow me down the street, and that felt almost as good as the hug.

I got back to the hotel forty-five minutes later. Colton's car had stayed behind mine until we'd gotten to Evanston, and then we'd parted company. I'd thought about stopping there, too, dropping off my aunt's car, but that had seemed like too much work. She didn't need her car, and I didn't want to talk to anyone else right now. It was after five, and my brain was too full. I could only have one more conversation tonight, and that would be with Morgan.

When I got to the room, she jumped up from the bed to throw her arms around me.

"Oh, my God! I've been so worried about you, Tessa." Her gaze swept my body as if she were checking for injuries.

"I texted you I was okay, and that it was over."

"I know, but I wasn't sure I could believe you. Sometimes, you sugarcoat things."

I sank down on my bed, feeling suddenly exhausted. "I want to tell you everything. Let's get Cassidy on the phone if we can. That way, I can tell you both at the same time."

"She's waiting for our call." Morgan moved to the computer on the table by the window. I took one chair, and she took the other as we made the call.

Cassidy answered immediately, and seeing their eager faces on the screen gave me energy. They both deserved to know everything I did. I went through my day and told them exactly what had happened with Sloane in the gazebo, with Garrett after he arrived, and the aftermath.

When I finished, there was a long minute of silence. Then Cassidy said, "I feel kind of bad for Sloane. Is that wrong?"

"I feel bad, too," I admitted. "Maybe because everything she told me felt honest."