23. Baylee #2
I’m immediately pulled into a hug by my mom, followed by my dad and each of my siblings.
It’s a weeknight, so I assume my nieces and nephews stayed back as they had sports and after-school activities.
My brothers-in-law must have taken them to those commitments.
Danny remains cold toward me and Tucker, but I appreciate him coming despite what’s transpired between us.
I look over to find him standing further back than the rest of the family.
Once Tucker reaches me he whispers, “I couldn’t help it, they just showed up. I texted but I assume you didn’t see it as you were on ‘Do Not Disturb.’ Sorry, baby.”
He moves to kiss my cheek and I bring my fingers to lace with his. I can’t help but notice my brother’s eyes swing to our connection then quickly look away. I see his jaw clench. It’s hard to suppress my eye roll.
Carolyn comes toward me and pulls me into an embrace. “I’m so glad today went as well as it did. You deserve justice for what he did to you, Baylee.”
Justice was indeed served. Myles received the maximum sentence for what he did, at least for a first-time offender.
Obviously, I wish he could stay in a jail cell forever, but I think anyone that went through any type of violent act would want the same.
In Myles’s case, he’ll serve a year in jail.
Turns out, the case against him was my word against his for a while, until Fiona started gathering evidence a few months back.
She came across my neighbor’s doorbell camera, which caught a few images of Myles from the open doorway into my apartment that night.
The sound is choppy and, at first, I was worried his lawyers were going to argue it could’ve been anyone yelling at me.
The video shows the assailant hitting me and the image of me getting knocked out.
Had Myles decided to walk in the other direction, the evidence wouldn’t have been as solid.
But as luck would have it, Myles parked his car in the direction where he had to walk directly past the camera.
His outfit matches that of the person attacking me and the evidence was damning for him.
He plead guilty. To add to this, Fiona jumped on the fact that Myles followed me into the bathroom right before the pre-trial conference, since there are cameras all over the courthouse.
The judge would’ve probably been more lenient on his sentence, but she decided to hold firm on her decision.
His attorneys, along with his mother chiming in, didn’t want this to go on further to a long trial.
So, he took the deal, and he’s now going to be behind bars.
He will also be required to seek counseling and I do hope he can recognize his behavior is not something he can continue. Either way, I stood up for myself and hopefully put a stop to him hurting someone else in the future.
“Thanks, everyone, for being here. It’s been a long day, but I’m really glad he’s being punished for what he did,” I say.
“We just wanted to see you and tell you how proud we are of you,” my oldest sister, Ariana, tells me.
“Listen, I wasn’t going to stay long, I have some plans, but wanted to say I’m glad that bastard is where he should be,” my brother announces.
Before anyone can protest, he’s already saying his goodbyes.
He’s out the door without much more than a simple nod my way.
I guess he’s going to hold a grudge, and I honestly don’t feel like figuring all that out right now.
He needs to work his shit out. I’m not going to let that bring me down today.
My dad shakes his head and I can see the disappointment across his face. I give him a smile and a simple shake of the head to let him know it’s not worth it right now.
“Should we order a pizza or something?” I ask the rest of our family.
“Actually, we aren’t here to take up much of your time. We just wanted to swing by and give our congratulations,” my mom says. “Your dad, Carolyn, and I have a night out to the movies planned!” She claps her hands.
“Yes, I’m dreaming of a big tub of popcorn.” Carolyn looks excited.
Tucker smiles at his mom. “That sounds fun. Anything good out right now?”
“ Dirty Dancing ,” my dad groans .
“Isn’t that old?” I ask, confused.
“My point exactly!” My dad throws his arms out. “Thank you, Baylee! She gets it!”
Both Carolyn and my mom look at me like I’m a traitor.
My mom chimes in, “Baylee, for your information, Dirty Dancing is a classic and they’re doing a special tonight where they’re releasing it in theaters for forty-eight hours.
So, Carolyn and I are going to see it. Your dad heard about it and wanted to join.
So don’t act like you didn’t want to go, Thomas! ” She points at my dad.
“You know Mr. Rios has a bad case of FOMO,” Tucker whispers.
“Excuse me, I do not have whatever you just said. I’m healthy. I just had a physical,” my dad retorts.
“FOMO is ‘Fear of Missing Out,’ Dad.” I roll my eyes.
“Oh, yes, I do have that. But I just want the candy. I love Hot Tamales,” he states matter-of-factly.
“You can’t have those. The doctor just said your blood sugar was a little high,” my mom throws to him.
“Then why am I going?” he pokes back.
“Oh my gosh, this is exhausting,” Hannah, the third Rios sister says, pulling at Ariana’s arm. “Drive me home. My own children don’t bicker this much.”
“I think it’s comical.” Sierra, my middle sister, snickers, as if this is the most entertaining thing.
“Alright. We’re off,” Ariana says as the three of them start hugging me goodbye. “Mom, Dad, see you later. Have fun and good luck, Carolyn. Tucker, it’s good to see you and love seeing you with my sister.” Ariana waggles her eyebrows at me. Gross . In front of our dad, nonetheless.
Tucker laughs and my cheeks flame. Awesome, this is how gatherings will be from now on.
Carolyn looks down at her watch and claps her hands. “Okay, we have to go. I need to prep with my pre-movie snacks. Let’s go! ”
“Thomas, no whining or you’re getting a ride home from our girls and not hanging out with us. We’re going to this movie with or without you,” my mom declares.
“Fine, I’ll go,” he says as they begin to say their goodbyes and head out the door.
Once everyone has left, it’s just the two of us and Tucker leans against the front door, his eyes bulging.
“What just happened?” he asks.
“They’re all nuts and we’re the normal ones,” I declare.
“Agreed,” he says.
“Can we start this over and I walk in and you maul me?” I smile sweetly.
“I like that plan better.” He pushes off the door and grabs my face with his hands and kisses me hard.
We end up skipping dinner and going straight to dessert. And by dessert, I mean he gives me three orgasms—two in bed and one in the shower.