He looks around and shudders. “You almost died, Calla.”
“I was handling it,” I defend myself and Finn. “Finn needs me. I was handling it.”
“Were you?” Dare raises an eyebrow. I look away.
“His journal is in my bedroom. As soon as I get out of here, I’ve got to finish it. I just feel, somehow, that it’s the key. I’ve got to read it all.”
Dare stares at me, his gaze as dark as night.
“Are you sure?”
I nod. “I’m positive. I’ve been reading it bits at a time, but it’s time that I finish it. Do you know when they’re letting me out?”
Dare shakes his head. “I don’t know. I think they said maybe in the morning, depending on how you’re doing. You were really upset last night.”
“Of course I was!” I snap. “They’re going to lock my brother away.”
Dare stares at me, sympathetic.
“Do what they say today, and I’m sure they’ll let you out in the morning.”
I nod and he holds my hand.
“What if I decide that I want to move to Berkeley early?” I ask him before I go to sleep.
He squeezes my fingers. “Then I’ll go with you.”
“And if I want to stay here?”
“Then I’ll stay with you.”
“No matter what?”
“No matter what.”
That’s all I need to hear. Peace fills me up and I fall asleep. And in the morning, they let me go.
“I want to ride with Dare,” I tell my father.
Dad stares at me, his eyes at once sad and resigned.
“Ok.”
“And if Dare wants to rent the Carriage House again, I want you to let him.”
He nods.
“Anything else?” His voice is brittle.
“Yes. I love you.” I throw my arms around his neck because even if he interfered where he shouldn’t have, he did it because he loves me. When he pulls away, his eyes are misty.
“Go on, then. I’ll be home after while.”
“Can I see Finn before I go?”
He stares at me regretfully. “I’m afraid not.”
I nod, a lump forming in my throat.