One of Us Is Back

The Bayview Crew is a close-knit group due to the fact they have survived false accusations, harassment, and bullying due to others attempting to unjustly exact revenge on them and those they love. Because of this, they often face the challenge of offering redemption to someone who previously wronged them or seeking redemption if they have unintentionally harmed someone else.

The harassment and bullying were particularly bad in the first novel because the original four members of the Bayview Crew were still in high school. Some of this bullying came from a girl named Vanessa Merriman, who believed Jake Riordan was innocent of the crimes he was accused of and stood up to support him. Vanessa also publicly shamed Cooper Clay when it was revealed Cooper was gay. As a result, the Bayview Crew now avoids Vanessa. As Vanessa begins spending time at the country club and talking to Nate about her regrets, she reveals that she “was an insecure asshole” (197) and shouldn’t have done the things she did. Vanessa apologizes to Addy and Cooper, and although Cooper doesn’t respond, his boyfriend, Kris, expresses his outrage and encourages Vanessa to “consider making her regret tangible” (198) with a donation to the Trevor Project.