46. Leilani

“I’m telling you, it’s the right thing to do.” Mikayla puffs as she lifts her knee, then steps back into a lunge.

I do the same thing, trying to keep up with the instructor at the front of the room.

Stretching my arms in time with the music, I raise my right knee and continue the set, glancing at Caroline for backup.

Unfortunately, her red curls are bouncing as she nods in agreement with Mikayla.

“I know it’s terrifying, but Mick’s right. You really should report this.”

I stop working out for a second, letting the class continue around me as I brace my hands on my knees and catch my breath.

I can’t believe we’re even having this discussion here. But the music is masking our words and we’re at the very back of the class, so it’s probably safe enough.

“Let’s go, ladies!” the instructor shouts from the front. “We can do this!”

Her enthusiasm is grating, but I force my body back up, my mind running faster than my pulse as I try to figure out what I should do.

Asher and I told everyone at Hockey House what went down this weekend. We had to. This affects them all, and they have a right to know. I was dreading the conversation, but it ended up going way better than I thought it would. Ethan and Casey are ready to castrate Harvey, while Rachel and Mick seem more concerned about my mental health and well-being. The way they reacted was really sweet, actually.

The thing that surprised me most is the fact that none of them complained about the possibility of losing Hockey House. Even Baxter just shrugged and murmured, “We’ve gotta do what’s right,” before walking out of the room.

And now I’m at the student rec center trying to work out while Mikayla chirps in my ear about reporting Harvey to the police.

“This might be a totally shitty thing to say,” she says between breaths, “but this isn’t just about you.”

I punch my arms, then let out a soft “Huh!” like the instructor is encouraging us to do. I’m sure she’d prefer I shouted it like a she-warrior, but I’m not feeling very warrior-like today.

Mikayla keeps glancing at me, her small fists punching the air until her arms drop with a sigh.

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but… if you’re not the only person this has happened to…” Her gaze is sad enough to make me stop. “You need to speak up for them and all the other girls who are gonna get caught in his trap.”

“He needs to go down,” Caroline says over my shoulder.

I blink, my throat too thick to even swallow. With a little sniff, I look between my two friends, then spin for the door and march out of the class. I didn’t even feel like working out today anyway.

Wiping the back of my hand down my sweaty cheeks, I run to the cubby my stuff is stored in and wrench out my bag.

“Leilani.”

I close my eyes. Shit. When Caroline uses my full name like that, I know she means business.

“I love you.” She stands right behind me. “I’m not trying to hurt you, and I would never force you to do this. All I’m saying is that it’s something worth thinking about.” Her hand comes to rest on my sweaty shoulder, and I look behind me to check her expression.

She gives me a sad smile, but her eyes are filled with warmth. “I’ll come with you.”

“So will I.” Mikayla crosses her arms, raising her chin and looking ready to get a little hellcat crazy on Harvey’s ass.

I love how feisty and strong she is.

I used to be just like that.

And I’ve seen sparks of that in me, but Harvey took so much.

Only if you let him take it. Find your fire, girl.

Biting my lips together, I look between them. “It could screw up everything. Mick—” I turn to face her. “—you could be kicked out of your apartment.”

Her expression goes dark, her tone is terse with venom as she seethes, “I know. Fucking asshole.” She huffs. “But Ray and I have talked about it, and it’s just an apartment. We’ll find something else.”

“But what about the guys?”

Taking my hand, she gives it a firm squeeze. “They’d walk out of that place in a heartbeat if it means you get the justice you deserve.”

“That’s right.” Caroline nods. “I know this sucks ass. The whole situation is so fucked-up, but Harvey deserves to be reported. And you deserve closure.”

“I’ve got closure,” I murmur, my face puckering into a deep frown.

Caroline gives me a skeptical frown. “Knowing that fuckface is still walking around with zero consequences over what he did to you is closure?”

Snapping my eyes shut with a huff, I shake my head. “I’m just trying to work through this. I need to move on with my life. I need to be with Asher and make something of that. What’s he gonna think if I go and report his cousin?”

“I’m pretty sure Asher’s hating super hard on that crap-weasel right now, so the timing couldn’t be better.” Mick raises her eyebrows. “You’re his woman. And if I know anything about the hockey bros, they will do whatever it takes to keep us safe. They’re very caveman when it comes to this kind of stuff.” Her nose wrinkles like it should bother her, but I think the thing that really bothers her the most is that she loves it.

And if I’m honest, I kind of love it too.

The way Asher’s been holding me the past couple days, the way he checks in and looks at me. He’s so torn up over this whole thing, but he wants to make this right for me. For us.

He can’t lose me.

The way he said that… the look on his face…

My heart expands like it’s inhaling a deep breath. He fills me in ways no one else can.

Caroline’s fingers curl around my arm as she gets my attention. “What happened to you was wrong. And you have the chance to try and make it just a little bit right. I know talking about it is repulsive for you. You don’t want to go back to that night, but…”

“I’m strong enough to do it,” I murmur for her, then run my hand down my ponytail with a sad sigh. “And if I don’t speak up, Harvey might do this to someone else. And even though that’s not my fault…” I shake my head. “It’s gonna eat me alive if I don’t at least try to stop him.”

“That’s right.” Caroline smiles.

“Yes!” Mick punches the air, then jumps up and kisses my cheek. “Come on, hot stuff. Let’s go take this asshole down!”