Lily knew it was getting late and she didn’t want to be out after dark. She clapped her hands. “Come on, Abs. Let’s rock and roll.”
Abby gave David one more slobbery kiss and told Wes they would be home later. He gently squeezed Abby’s hand and turned his attention back to the baby.
Lily climbed behind the wheel of the SUV, and Abby rode shotgun. Lily headed down Highway 12. Abby stiffened and sat up straighter in her seat.
“Lil, I don’t think this is a good idea,” Abby protested, having guessed their destination.
But Lily wanted to see the cabin in daylight, to see the place she’d called home for so long. The cabin was only a place, she told herself. A building that had no control over her. She’d heard that it had become a local tourist attraction, drawing sick and twisted weirdos that were eager to catch a glimpse of the famous “sex basement.” She wanted to see it one last time, and then she’d never come back here.
She pulled into the driveway, turned off the engine, and climbed out of the SUV. She couldn’t go inside. She’d never be that strong. Instead, Lily sat on the hood, leaning on her knees and staring at the cabin. Abby sank down beside Lily.
“You were so close. So close and I didn’t know it,” Abby said.
“I didn’t either, Abby.”
Lily wished Abby had known. That their bond had brought them together earlier. But that was silly. Just wishful thinking. Lily closed her eyes and was transported to that spectacular day when they’d passed their driving test, sitting on the hood of their car at the Dairy Queen, eating chocolate-covered-cherry Blizzards.
“What does a spectacular day look like now, Lilypad?”
Lily smiled. Their connection was growing stronger. It was as if Abby were reading her mind. Lily seriously pondered Abby’s question. Each day she was free from Rick was spectacular on its own. But she’d been seriously considering her future, thinking about all the possibilities that were available.
“In a perfect world, Sky is healthy and happy and has no memory of Rick or the early years. Mom’s found something that fulfills her. You and Wes would be married and—”
“Lily—”
“Don’t interrupt me. It’s my spectacular day. You two would be married and David would have a sister or brother. I’d go back to school and start running competitively. And Rick Hanson would be gone. Poof.” Lily snapped her fingers. “It would be as if he’d never existed at all. That would be a pretty spectacular day.”
“I want that for you, Lil. More than anything.”
Lily knew there was no escaping Rick. She also knew that she was tired of giving up her power.
“I’m going to speak at the sentencing. Not for me. But for Shaina and Bree.”
“I’ll be there, Lil. I’ll be right there beside you.”
Lily gripped Abby’s hand tightly. She couldn’t stop staring at the cabin. Someone had boarded up all the windows. Police tape still surrounded the perimeter, and graffiti, mindless scribble, covered almost every surface.
“Everything’s going to be all right, isn’t it, Abby?”
It was an unusual thing to say considering how far she’d come, but Lily was overcome with a sense of foreboding she couldn’t quite explain.
“Listen to me, Lil. There are nothing but spectacular days ahead for the Riser twins.”
Abby sprang to her feet, standing up on the hood of the car.
“Do you hear that, world? Are you listening?” Abby’s voice echoed out into the distance. “Come on, Lily. Let me hear you! Look out world, here we come!”
Lily let out a joyous yell. They kept shouting over and over again, their wishes drifting up into the sky, like prayers.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
RICK
Rick continued doing bench presses, trying to appear focused on his workout. The yard was empty and he was finally alone with Angela. She kept a professional distance but her eyes never left his. She inched closer to Rick as he began to lift the weights.
“You feeling okay?” Rick asked her.
“Yeah. I’m good,” Angela said, trying unsuccessfully to hide the tremor in her voice.
Shit. Rick could tell she was unsettled. They hadn’t had enough time together this week with all the bullshit transfer paperwork. He’d have to fix this quick before she got cold feet.
“If you’re having second thoughts, tell me. I’ll understand.”
“No. I’m not. I mean…”
“It’s okay to be scared,” Rick said.
“I’m not scared,” Angela said. She tried to laugh but it had a strangled quality. “Well, maybe a little.”
“As long as the plan is set, we’ve got nothing to worry about. Everything’s in place, isn’t it? As soon as the sentencing is over, they’ll transport me. Your cousin can’t be late.”
“Brian won’t let us down,” she said.
“He’s got the weapons?”
Angela nodded. “Brian’s got it covered.”
“And the money?” Rick asked.