Chapter Twenty-Six #2
My temper exploded. “A child? There was a child there and you had a gun lying around? Are you crazy?”
“Be quiet and just get me out of here.”
Fool. “What happened when the police came?”
“I was in the hallway, telling the old witch to mind her business. Tiffany was still yellin’ her damn head off at me, and I told her to shut up. The cops wanted to come in, and I said no, even though Tiffany told them yes.”
I blinked. “Wait. It’s Tiffany’s apartment, am I correct?”
“Yeah.”
The man was as dense as mud. “She said they could come in?”
He scratched his head, and I wondered if there was anything in there. “So? I said no. And it was my stuff.”
“Doesn’t matter. She lives there. She gives the consent.
You’d better accept whatever plea deal the ADA gives you.
Besides, you were fighting, and the police were concerned about a domestic violence issue, which you’ve been arrested for previously.
That right there gave them probable cause.
As I see it, you have nothing.” I slipped my phone into my pocket and rose to my feet.
Lucas, his face a mask of anger, pounded the table with his fist.
“Fuck you. You have to defend me.”
“I told you at the outset, I’m not your lawyer, and I’m not touching this case. Drugs and a gun with a baby in the house? That’s it, Lucas. Guard,” I called out. “I’m ready to leave.”
“Bailey,” he yelled. “Get the fuck back here. I need you.”
I walked out. In the car, I texted Keston.
On my way home.
How’d it go? Was it the same as before?
I grimaced. Not at all. See you soon.
I’ll be waiting. We’ll talk.
And thank God for that. Until that second, I hadn’t realized the weight of the burden I’d carried on my shoulders.
I hadn’t had a chance to tell him I’d decided to sell my father’s house.
After talking to my mother and then seeing the fireman’s tattoo honoring my father, all the energy drained out of me, and I wanted nothing more than a massage, a drink, and my sexy boyfriend. And not in that order.
My phone rang, and seeing it was Belinda, my stomach and heart both squeezed tight. I’d been waiting for this moment for the past few weeks.
“Hi, is everything okay?” I half expected someone from the emergency room to answer.
“Of course. Guess what?”
“What?” As always with Belinda, I had no clue.
“Me ’n Jonas got married! I’m at the airport, leaving for our honeymoon. It’s only gonna be a quickie ’cause Jonas can’t get off work but wanted to do something, so we’re going to Puerto Rico.”
My head spun. “Uh, married? When? Where?”
“Yesterday. At city hall.” Her happy sigh filled my ear. “And there’s somethin’ else.”
“What?” I was almost afraid to ask.
“You’re gonna be an uncle. I’m havin’ a baby!”
Despite my shock, I couldn’t help my excitement. “Congratulations, Lindee.”
She giggled. “Imagine me telling her she’s gonna be a grandmother. She’s gonna flip.”
We shared a laugh. “I’m so happy for you. Honestly. I know I was hard on you and overprotective, but—”
“You were bein’ a big brother. I get it. But I’m tryin’ to change my life around. I don’t want this baby to grow up like me. And I’m not her.”
“All I want is for you to be happy and safe.”
“Jonas and me go to counseling together. You gotta believe he’s changed.”
“I’m glad.” The car slowed to stop at a red light, a block away from Keston’s apartment.
“What about you? Is that guy really not your boyfriend?”
A smile kicked up the corner of my mouth. “Well, maybe things have changed for me too.”
“Bailey!” She squealed in my ear. “He’s such a hottie. You’ll haveta tell me all about it when I get back. We’re gonna have a big party.”
The car pulled into a No Standing zone in front of the apartment, and I exited. “Have a safe trip. And congratulations.”
“Gotta go, they’re boarding. Love you.”
And she was gone before I could reciprocate.
When I walked into the apartment, Keston was waiting with a cold beer and a warm kiss. “Everything all right?”
“Everything is great.” For once, it was the truth. “Only Ambrose isn’t going to be happy.” I gave him a quick rundown of the facts, and he shook his head, his eyes narrowing with anger.
“Maybe now he’ll realize what a dumbass troublemaker his brother is.”
“I hope so.” We sat on the couch, my head in Keston’s lap. “Some people won’t ever allow themselves to see another side of a person. They’ll choose to see only what they want, even if the person has grown. Like us and our misconceptions about each other.”
“Yeah. I thought you were a spoiled, rich smartass.” His fingers played with my hair.
“I’m still a smartass.”
“Mmm. Yeah. Hot as fuck, though, too. That hasn’t changed.”
With Keston’s touch, the tension in my body melted away. “I’m selling my father’s house.”
Above me, Keston’s face reflected worry. “Are you sure? You’re not just doing it ’cause you need the extra money for the new place?”
I reached up to touch his cheek. “No. Absolutely not. We have more than enough to get what we want. It was a crutch I was holding on to, and maybe I was being a bit of a bastard to my mother.”
“She deserves it,” Keston grumbled.
I smiled at his protectiveness. “But I don’t need it anymore. Like Dr. Sharpe said, I carry my father’s memory with me always. I don’t need a house to remind me.” I sat up, held Keston, and kissed him. “All I need is you.”
“You’ve got me.” Keston’s wicked grin sent my blood racing. “We were speaking of a hot and sexy ass, weren’t we?” To prove his point, he pinched mine.
“Ow. You’re bruising the merch.”
“Yeah?” He arched a brow. “I’d better kiss it and make it better.”
I grabbed his hand and pulled him to stand with me. “Everything with you is better.” I took off running. “Last one naked has to sleep on the wet spot.”