I stand alone in the middle of the park as the wind swirls around me. I continue to push my hair behind my ears as it sways in my face.
My phone screen showed the time to be twenty minutes past the hour, and I was beginning to think I would be stood up.
"I didn't think you would show up."
I turn around, "I'm here, I have been here. I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up."
A smirk. Of course.
"I hated to keep you waiting, but I had other obligations."
"You were the one who called me here. You said it was urgent."
A nod, "Yes I did."
"So why am I here? What's so important?"
I could feel my chest burning and I was passed the agitation stage of impatience.
"I was told your friend has a drug problem," he took a few steps to the side, "I hate that."
"Just tell me what you want."
"I was at the docks the night she showed up, you know?"
Suddenly I became interesting in the conversation, "And what were you doing at the docks with them? You don't associate with them."
He laughed, "You don't know anything about who or what I associate with."
"Tell me what happened."
He pointed to the park bench, "Let's sit."
"I don't want to sit."
"Fine," he sat and crossed his leg over his knee, "We were all hitting some hard stuff that my brother brought home from college when Sarah showed up. She looked pretty rough," he pat the seat beside him, "Have a seat."
Hesitantly, I agreed to sit.
"What else?"
"Heath asked her to chill with us, and to all of our surprise, she had some products herself. We just passed around a few hits and trays, nothing too crazy."
"And why were you there, again?"
"I was invited. I have friends outside of West Heights, Emilie."
"What all did Sarah take?"
He tapped his chin, "Just a few pills and puffs, nothing of concern."
"Who did she leave with?"
He looked at me with a grin, "Not me if that's what you are worried about. I'm nothing like AJ, I like for girls to be fully aware and accepting of what I have to offer."
My throat formed a lump as I flashed back to the party and AJ.
"Sorry, too soon?" His sarcastic grin made me want to punch him.
"Did she leave with anyone?"
He nodded, "Yeah, Dawson."
"Which Dawson."
He stood up, "Heath."
"So you called me out here just to tell me that you were there that night?"
"No," he held his hand out to help me up, "I called you out here to tell you that she confessed something that night."
My eyebrows hugged each other, "Confessed?"
"Yeah," he nodded, "She informed us all that her brother was a daddy to be, Congratulations."
My heart sank, "You are a fucking liar."
"I am many things, but I am not a liar."
"Benjamin, I'm not dealing with you and your games right now."
He laughed, "So I take it that you aren't the baby momma? When AJ told me he saw you two at Alonzo's I was almost sure."
"You are lying."
He began to walk away, "Sorry to drop the bomb then leave, but AJ is waiting for me. Don't believe me? Find out for yourself."
He walked to the edge of the park and left in a Mercedes.
My heart throbbed, and I felt like I could throw up. I couldn't face Sarah or Liam, and there was only one other person there that night. Without thinking it through, I pulled out my phone and called Heath.
"Hello?"
"I need to ask you a question."
There was a muffled laugh on the other end, "And what might that be?"
I took a deep breath, "Did Sarah tell you a secret the night she slept with you?"
There was a long pause of silence, "Who did you talk to."
"So it's true?"
His voice changed from pissed to sympathetic, "I'm sorry, Emilie. She was pretty high, she may have been lying."
I tried to form words but my throat was too dry.
"Emilie?"
"I have to go."
I put my phone into my pocket as tears stung in my eyelids. The wind had picked up and the sun was disappearing behind storm clouds.
I sat down on the park bench taking slow deep breaths. I felt like I could vomit. Did I want to believe this? Why hadn't Sarah told me? Is it true?
I sat through the rain not moving from the bench, my phone rang- calls and messages from both Sarah and Liam.
After an hour, I had finally worked up enough courage to go back.
The front door to the White household seems so much more heavy as I pushed it open.
"Emilie is that you?" Sarah called out from the couch.
"It's me."
"Thank God, where have you been?"
My heart starts to beat out of my chest as I connect eyes with her.
"What's wrong?"
I slowly sit down on the couch beside her.
"Emilie?" Liam turns the corner and shows signs of relieve as he lays eyes on me.
With both of them staring at me, I break down. Tears flow down both cheeks and I have trouble calming my breathing.
"What happened?" Liam grabbed my hands.
"Where did you go?" Sarah wipes a tear from my cheek.
I had finally calmed myself enough to speak, I faced Sarah first, "I went to go talk to Benjamin."
"Lex? Why?"
My eyes fell, "He wanted to talk about that night."
Liam started to put the pieces together, "He was there?"
Sarah nodded, "What did he say?"
Her eyes met mine and she knew. She looked away and bit her lip.
"What am I missing here?" Liam stood up.
"He told me that Sarah made confessions that night."
"Emilie, please." Sarah grabbed my arm.
"Confessions of what?" Liam was starting to show signs of annoyance.
I began to open my mouth but Sarah cut me off, "Farrah is pregnant, Liam."
Liam laughed, "Nice try. I haven't seen her in over a year, Sarah."
I felt myself start to breath again, until Sarah spoke.
"That's a lie, and you know it."
He narrowed his eyes at Sarah, "Excuse me?"
She sent me an apologetic look, "She was in town this summer, and I know you met up with her."
By the look on his face I knew it was true.
"It's impossible." Liam mumbled under his breath.
"Well congratulations on your miracle baby."