Page 11 of Under Rusted Stars

“Shit,” Rhett says. “If you don’t mind, I can take the phone with me and give it to Dad. He might be able to get it to someone with the state. If trafficking charges might come up, he’s already on the state police radar anyhow. You were still in the state, right?”

“Yeah. Dallas,” I say. “I left, probably… four months ago. I’m sure they are looking for me.”

“Well…” Rhett sighs. “Let’s find out.”

I nod, and Rhett pulls his phone out. He taps around before the call rings through the speakerphone. “Hey, son,” Sheriff Dan McDonald says.

“Hey, Dad,” Rhett says. “I’m sitting here with Olivia Monroe…”

“Aw, hell,” Dan sighs. “The state just called me about her yesterday.”

“Fuck,” I sigh.

“Fuck, is right,” Dan says. “They’re trying to subpoena you to testify in court.”

“I thought they dropped the charges?” I ask.

“They dropped the domestic battery, but the state picked up the rest. He was given bail and an ankle monitor. He’s on house arrest until they can get you into court. The last chance before it’s dropped is next week,” Dan says. “Hun, I have to tell him I’ve spoken to you.”

“Is it Jeramy Garcia?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he answers.

“Yeah. I’ve spoken to him before. I definitely cussed him out when I was in the hospital because he was trying to get me to write a statement when I was on pain medication,” I say. “He said other people's lives are at stake, and I kinda lost my shit.”

“I don’t blame you. The fuck?” Kate scoffs.

“I’ll call him, and we can set up a meeting at the station,” Dan says. “Do you want to file a restraining order?”

“It would give him my address,” I say. “I don’t want him knowing where I am.”

“The state will have to disclose where you were found, and they will absolutely ask in court, so he will find out you’re in Willow Creek soon enough,” Dan tells me.

“Just put Bodhi’s address,” Rhett laughs.

“I’m not dragging anyone into my bullshit,” I say.

“Our porches touch, Liv,” Bodhi says. “You think he won’t make assumptions when he finds out how close you live to me?”

“Fuck,” I sigh.

“Do you want to do that?” Dan asks.

“I’m not putting anyone else in danger,” I say. “Just put the cabin.”

“Alright,” Dan says. “I’ll let him know.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Rhett says.

“You’re welcome, son.”

When the call ends, I put my elbows on my knees and drop my face into my hands. “What are you thinking?” Luke asks.

“That I’m going to die,” I mutter. “I don’t know what the fuck I did to deserve the bullshit I’ve been through.”

“It was never your fault,” Bodhi says vaguely. I huff out a laugh and sit up to look at him.

“Then why does it feel like it’s my fault?” I ask.