Opening the glass doors to the Grassy Pond police station is kind of surreal. As I walk inside these doors, it feels as if it is a dream. I’m going to wake up from this nightmare, and everything will be how it should have been before Dylan. Once the glass closes behind us and a middle-aged woman with glasses asks how she can help us, I’m brought back to reality. No, this isn’t a dream. I’m awake and in the moment.
“I need to file a report.”
Adjusting her glasses, she punches a few keys on the computer. “Name?”
“Charley Anne Rice.” She pauses and looks at me.
“As in the Rice farm?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Cash places his hand on my lower back. I glance and smile at him.
“I went to school with your daddy. What type of report are we looking into filing?”
“Rape.” She stops mid-type and gives a deer in the headlights look. Undoubtedly, this isn’t something they hear a lot of in Grassy Pond.
“Miss Rice, are you sure?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She asks me basic information, and then we sit and wait. The lobby area is cold and musty smelling. After what feels like an eternity, an officer appears from behind a wooden door.
“Miss Rice, this way, please.”
Cash and I stand. Hand in hand, we make our way to the officer. He takes us back to his office and offers me a seat. Taking a deep breath, I explain everything that occurred eighteen months ago. Cash’s hand never leaves mine, and the officer listens while taking notes.
Once I finish reliving my real life nightmare, the officer folds his hands and places them on his desk.
“Miss Rice, you understand that once this charge is filed, there is no going back. I’m not sure exactly what will come of this, due to the time frame and his word against yours, but you need to be prepared. This town isn’t going to take lightly to these types of accusations, especially against Dylan Sloan. I’ve seen him swim, and he’s got a fan club in this town.
“Yes, sir. I know I should have come forward a long time ago, but who’s gonna believe ‘Mr. Can’t-Do-Anything-Wrong’ raped me? Cash tried to get me to, but I wouldn’t. The rape was awful, but his control and presence is the real problem. I just want him to leave me and everyone else alone.”
“I understand. I haven’t been in your situation, but the allegations are serious. Once I submit this report, things might get ugly. I’m not sayin’ you shouldn’t; just be prepared.” Turning, he looks at Cash. “Mr. Montgomery, do you understand that if Dylan Sloan comes to press charges against you, you will have consequences to face?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Officer, I have a question? What if I file my report based off the stalker like conduct? I have evidence.”
“As in what type of evidence?”
“Sir, I have a box with photos that he had taken of me, phone records, and Facebook messages. The list is a mile long.”
“Miss Rice, it is totally up to you, but if you want him to stay away, you need to file a restraining order. We will need the evidence, but I wouldn’t let the other charge go. You never know what the court will decide, and you just might save another girl's life. As for you, Mr. Montgomery, I need a statement from you about tonight’s events.”
Cash gives his statement to the officer, and once he is finished, we are dismissed except for bringing the evidence back to the station as soon as possible.
As we walk out into the lobby, Piper, Tessa, and Joe stand. About that time, the receptionist informs the officer that charges are planning to be filed from the Grassy Pond Medical Center. We all look at each other and realize this is about to get dirty.
“Cash, let’s get that box now.”
“You got it.”
As we walk back to the truck, the Kluft girls are waiting. I tell them to follow us to the farm, but we have a lot to do in a short amount of time. I snuggle up to Cash as close as possible. I have no idea what is about to happen, but I know that it is going to involve the devil in human form, my knight in an F250, my parents, my friends, and half of this town if I’m not careful.
As if Cash is reading my mind, he kisses the top of my head. “It’s gonna be fine, Char-coal. I promise.”
“I know, but it’s what we have to get through until the ‘fine’ part that I’m worried about.”
We remain quiet for the remainder of the ride to the farm. Once we turn onto the gravel road, I know I have to make a decision—talk to my parents, get the box of evidence, or act like this didn’t happen.
Cash puts the truck in park. “You ready?” I nod.
“Cash Money, I love you more than life itself.” I crash my lips into his because it could be our last kiss for an extremely long time.
Cash pulls away from me. “Don’t do this, Char-coal. This isn’t the end; it’s the beginning. Remember, we’re in this forever. Now, let’s go get that box!”
As I open the door, I’m greeted by the Kluft girls, Joe, Piper, and Tessa.
“Hey, y’all. We’ve gotta get something from the club. I need y’all to keep my parents occupied until we get back. Then, I got some explainin’ to do.”
“I’ve got ya covered, Sis,” Tessa says, but not before Hayden puts in her two cents.
“Tessa, we’ve got this! We’ve got Mama and Papa Rice under control. Let’s just say we can get her talking, and she’s not gonna stop. Your dad will be stuck listening.”
We have a quick group hug; the girls walk toward the house while Tessa, Piper, and Joe follow us to the club. We make our way to the barn before grabbing a shovel and getting on the Gator, and then we put the pedal to the metal.
Once we get to the club, Cash turns off the Gator, but leaves on the lights. He takes my hand in his while I grab the shovel.
“Um, we’ll just wait here,” Tessa informs us.
“It’s okay if y’all wanna get a little dirty.”
“Char, this isn’t a time to be funny!” Piper says smartly.
Ignoring Piper, I turn to Cash. “We’ve gotta get something on that hand when we get back.”
“I know,” he says, looking at his swollen hand.
They stay at the Gator, and we walk to the club. There is no need for a flashlight because the headlights shine directly onto the spot below the club. Cash tries to take the shovel from me, but I shake him off. He knows this is about me. Yes, his hand is near broken, but this is what I have to do.
Within four digs, I strike gold… I’d guess you’d say. Bending down to my knees, I scrape the excess dirt from the top of the box and remove it from the earth. The fact that it hasn’t been buried too long has helped from ruining the evidence. I stand and begin to walk toward the Gator.
“Char-coal, aren’t you going to open it?”
“Hell no. I know what’s in there.”
Cash has a pleading stare in his eyes.
“Please look, Char-coal. Who knows, he could have been damn Houdini and made it vanish.”
“Seriously?” I ask Cash as he nods. “Fine.”
Once we get to the Gator and are seated, I open the box.
“See… it’s all here.” Everything is within the box, but as Joe looks at the contents, his face loses color.
“Hey Joe, you aight?" I ask.
“Um, yeah. I’m just kinda worried. I mean, what do you think will happen to me since I knew about it all? Dammit! I can’t get arrested. I’ll lose everything Gran and I worked for.”
“Look, I’ll do my best to make sure nothing happens to you, Joe. Just like Cash, I’m not letting you take the blame for what that asshole did. Damn, I wish someone had gotten that shit on video. You’d think that with technology these days somebody would have gotten it, but noooo, they were too busy staring.”
“Thank you, Squirrel. Gran is gonna kill me no matter what.”
“Can we get going? Just lookin’ at that box is freakin’ me out,” Piper says.
In unison we agree and make our way back to the house. As we approach, I’m unsure if I can do this. Walking into that station was one thing, but delivering this box to them will start a ball rolling that can create an avalanche.
As if being mind readers, Cash puts his hand on my knee while Tessa places her hand on my shoulder. Their love and support are amazing.
“Tess, have you heard from Dustin? Is Dylan going to survive?”
“Yeah, he said that he had a few broken ribs, but was going to make it. He might have to stay a few days, though. Cash fucked him up, and he’s a damn puss. Mr. Big-and-Bad, but whimpers like a damn baby. Cash, I’m glad you beat the shit outta him because if I had to go along with this plan much longer, it might have been me.” I roll my eyes as she continues. “I see that, Char! Dustin’s okay, too, but he said his parents were pissed. I don’t know what all this will do to us,” Tessa says.
I whip my head around. “What do you mean? I mean, I know things will be weird, but you and Dustin are perfect for each other.”
“I agree, but it’s going to be hard. I just don’t know if we will survive. We’re not as strong as Cash and you.”
I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing. Once we are at the front porch, I start to fidget with the top of the box. Cash stops me as the others go inside. He takes my arm and turns me around while trying to move my hair from my face with his swollen hand.
“Hey, are you okay? I mean… really okay?” I bite my lip and shake my head yes. “You know that I’m not leaving. I’ll tell as much as you want me to or keep it quiet if you want.” Leaning in, he kisses my forehead and lets his lips linger for a few extra seconds.
We don’t separate each other’s hands as we walk to the house. Feeling like I’m in slow motion, I count the steps going up the porch, one…two… three…four. Cash pulls on the screen door, and it squeaks as he opens it. It’s time to tell everything.