Chapter 19 #2
The younger officer, who came to take us away an hour ago, goes in for a clap. “Jacob Greymoore in the flesh. What are you doing here, man?”
Stevie and I move around Ray, closer to where Jake and Norman stand.
He hands some paperwork over. “I’m here to pick up my friends who were wrongfully accused of drunk driving and lewd conduct.”
“Now, Jake, we found them in a pretty compromising position—”
“I heard it was Officer Dick who saw them.” My friend lowers his voice so only the three of us hear. “And I looked into Officer Dick. I can read everything I found about your friend out loud. No, better yet, let me see if I can get in contact with your chief—”
“No!” Norman clears his throat. Stevie and I look at each other, both of us wanting to know what Jake found out about Officer Dickhead. “Look, drinking and driving was still mentioned. We can’t let him go.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Simmons. I was with him all day.
He drank two beers six hours ago, and I know that neither one of them was showing any naked body parts.
So do us both a favor, unlock the cell and let my friends out because you have nothing to hold them on.
” Norman hesitates for a second. “Or I can call my father and his lawyer.” Jake whips his cell phone out.
“I’m sure he’d love to take back that big donation he promised the department. ”
I’ve never seen anyone move so quickly as Norman does. And just as Stevie and I are about to be free, Jake speaks up.
“Wait.”
Officer Simmons stops immediately.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now, Jake?” I slam one of the bars.
He smiles, still putting on the cocky front, which has now turned into a playful one. Jake lifts his phone. “Smile, you two.”
Stevie tries to cover her face, but the flash goes off before she can.
“You dick!” My voice booms, and everyone in the cell looks at us. This so-called best friend of mine is getting on my last nerve.
“Jake, if you post that anywhere, I swear you will see a side of me that you never have,” Stevie threatens. Too bad she doesn’t look remotely sinister.
Jake waves his hand. “Let ’em out, Simmons.”
The cell door opens, and Jake hugs Stevie. We’re about to leave when he sees him.
“Long time no see, Ray.”
Shit.
Ray puts a hand up. “Hey, Jake.”
Jake smiles and leans toward Simmons. “What’s he in for?”
Officer Simmons looks at all of us before whispering the answer into Jake’s ear. I’m not sure what he’s up to, but I don’t feel like staying in the same room with the girl I made out with and my most recent ex.
“An ex?” Stevie whispers quickly.
I nod my confirmation. “Last summer.”
Her eyes turn sad out of empathy, and she squeezes my hand, thankfully not asking any more questions.
“Interesting.” Jake points to Ian. The freshman is still pacing, but stops when he sees my friend. Simmons rolls his eyes and tells Jake Ian’s story in a whisper. This time, his eyes widen, and he lets out a whistle. “And he’s only eighteen?”
“Yup.” Simmons shakes his head.
“You could’ve gotten someone seriously hurt, kid,” Jake says to Ian.
Ian rubs a hand over his face and goes back to pacing.
Jake looks down and taps his foot. “Very interesting.” He walks to the cell door and looks at both men for a moment with his back to us. “What to do, what to do.”
“Get to the point, Jake.” I grit my teeth. I want him to get Ray out so we can leave.
He turns back around and smiles at Ray and then Simmons. “Let the freshman go.”
All of us whip our heads to him.
“What?” Simmons, Ian, and Ray say at the same time.
Jake pulls up his dad’s contact. “Your choice, Norman.”
Simmons looks at all of us before moving to the door and unlocking it. “I hate my job.”
Ian walks out slowly, looking at us with red-rimmed eyes. Jake puts an arm around him and looks at Ray as the door locks.
His mouth goes straight, and his eyes are cold. “I hope the pool boy was worth it, dickhead.” He turns and walks out with Ian.
Stevie’s jaw is practically on the floor, and I would be in the same state if Jake weren’t ten steps ahead of us. Grabbing Stevie’s hand, I look at Ray long enough to see his face drained of color. I roll my lips inward, halting my smile.
It shouldn’t surprise me that Jake did that because he’s Jake. He’ll go the extra mile for all of us, and fuck was that satisfying.
The second we step outside the station, Jake lectures Ian to stop being so reckless, and gives him enough money to get food and go home.
After Ian leaves, Jake walks over and gives me a knowing look.
“What did he do? And what did Ray do?” Stevie asks, still stunned by what happened. I’m used to the drama that seems to follow our gang everywhere, but she isn’t at that level yet.
“This stays between the three of us,” I repeat what I told him on the call. “The girls do not need to know about this.”
Stevie hums her agreement.
Jake nods, smirks, and points. “There’s one small problem with that.”
My stomach sinks when I see Em standing by Jake’s car, shaking her head.
“We were having our bi-monthly friendly ‘let’s complain about our families’ dinner. Not much I could do about it.” He adjusts his jacket. “Don’t worry,” Jake whispers, “she only knows about the drinking. Talk about Ray and Ian. She’ll be too focused on that to be interested in what you guys did.”
And with that, he skips back to the BMW.