Chapter Twenty-Four #2
Together, the foursome quietly entered the courthouse and followed the signs to the room where Tyler’s case was taking place.
It would be a lie to say she wasn’t worried because she was.
If found guilty, Tyler could spend the next five years in jail or walk away with a shit load of community service and fines.
Gene assured her the goal was to tell the judge she blacked out, that she didn’t know what was happening.
Tyler agreed, but she knew exactly what she was doing and wished like hell she could’ve twisted the scissors before she was tackled to the ground.
“It’s fine,” Aria whispered, holding Tyler’s sweaty hand. “Everything is fine.”
“Thank you, friend.” Tyler gave her a light squeeze, trying to swallow the wave of nausea that washed over her.
The night before, Aria thought it would be a good idea for them to have a sleepover, and as fun as it was, by the end of the night, Tyler was the last one standing.
All night she anxiously paced the floor and took shots of tequila like it was water.
She was hoping the liquor would put her to sleep, but it did the opposite.
Tyler was up rocking, pacing, mumbling under her breath, and silently fighting the demons on her back.
She hoped the liquor would cure her craving, but it didn’t, and at around three in the morning, Tyler found herself popping expired valium that she found in the back of Shane’s medicine cabinet.
The valium wasn’t the high she was chasing but mixing it with the liquor had her floating.
Tyler didn’t know what time she closed her eyes, but when she woke up she was sick to her stomach, and the smell of Shane making them breakfast sent her running to the bathroom.
“Right this way.” Gene extended his arm.
As they moved through the courthouse, Tyler tried not to make eye contact with the people, but her attempt at being discreet went out the window when a couple of fans recognized her.
Almost immediately, a swarm of people approached her asking for her autograph and sticking their phones in her face.
They bombarded Tyler with questions about Logic, Dexter, her beef with Bobbi, and her next album.
The flashing lights had her covering her face as she tried to push her way through the growing crowd.
Aria and Shane jumped into action, one taking the front and the other taking the rear.
A court officer waved them over and Gene held the door open for them to walk into a holding room.
“Oh my god,” Tyler sighed. “How the heck do they know we here?”
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but Dex made a post about the hearing and asked for support,” Shane revealed.
“I know you fucking lying,” Aria gasped.
“Nope, his crusty ass always gotta be the center of attention.”
“I’m not surprised.” Tyler shook her head in disgust.
“They could have gave us a back entrance or something,” Shane snapped. “Do something, Harvard!” He frowned at Gene. “Use that degree to pull some strings.”
“I’ll talk to them when the case ends. We’ll have the car brought around to the back,” he promised.
“Thanks babe,” Shane cooed.
“Bipolar ass,” Aria snickered before glancing over at Tyler. “You good, friend?” she asked, noticing Tyler’s leg shaking.
“I’m fine,” she lied. Tyler was anything but fine.
The demons on her back slithered up her spine, causing her body to shiver as if a drift whipped through the room.
Tyler’s teeth chattered, her mouth watered, and her stomach did somersaults.
Her body was going haywire, and before she could make sense of what was happening, vomit violently expelled from her mouth onto the floor.
“Arrrgghh,” she gagged, releasing all the tequila on her stomach.
“Oh shit!” Shane grabbed a garbage can from the corner and gave it to her. The strong smell burned his nose hair and caused his stomach to churn. “Bitch, did you drink before we came?” he hissed, smelling the liquor and stomach acid mixture.
“No-Arrrgghh.” Tyler threw up again, this time in the garbage can.
“Crack a window,” Shane cried, torn between holding Tyler’s hair and plugging his nose. “Oh my god, my wig. Don’t get throw up in my wig, take it off!”
“Shane, stop!” Aria yelped. “You can’t take her wig off in here.”
“It’s going to smell like a distillery. I didn’t even take pictures for promo. I thought you were watching her last night.”
“I was sleep!”
“Ok, ok, calm down,” Gene hushed them. “Here,” He handed Tyler paper towels to wipe her mouth.
“I’m so sorry,” Tyler apologized, wiping her mouth.
“It’s ok, friend. Drink this water.” Aria handed her a bottle of water that was sitting in the middle of the table.
“It’s not ok!” Shane fussed. “As soon as we get in the car, take my wig off. I was going to sell it and you got chunks of food in it,” he whined.
“Everything ok in here?” A court officer tapped on the door before opening it.
“Peachy.” Shane plastered a fake smile on his face, blocking Tyler’s disheveled appearance. “Everything is peachy.”
“Ok, they’re ready for you,” he informed the group. “There’s a crowd, so move fast and keep your head low.”
“Thank you.” Aria smiled weakly.
When the door closed, Shane turned to face Tyler with his nose turned up.
“Here.” He shoved a piece of gum in her hand.
“Bitch, get your shit together. I don’t give a fuck that you’re hungover.
Shit, I don’t even know why you got drunk, and I don’t care.
What you won’t do is go in here and look like a weak bitch. Stand up straight, fix my hair and-
“Your hair?” Aria frowned.
“Yes, my hair. That’s my fucking wig and throw up McGee ruining my shit.”
“Can you yell at your friends later? The judge is waiting.” Gene snapped his fingers.
“Sir.” Shane turned to face him. “Shut the hell up before I yell at you!”
“I’m ready.” Tyler stood to her feet.
Using the napkin, she wiped the corners of her mouth and used the water to gargle. Aria gave her a little lotion and Tyler popped a piece of gum in her mouth.
“Let’s go.” She headed to the door.
“What about the throw up?” Shane quizzed.
“I’ll get someone to come in here and clean it,” Gene assured him.
“Shame on it all,” Shane muttered, exiting the room.
This time Tyler was prepared. There was no evidence of the mishap that took place a few moments ago.
The ruffled shirt was still choking the life out of her, but Tyler dug deep and pulled out her inner bad bitch.
She smiled and waved like Miss America, reminding the onlookers that she was still a bad bitch.
Entering the courtroom, Tyler walked directly to the front and took the seat next to Gene while Aria and Shane sat behind her.
Tyler didn’t have to look over to see Dexter staring at her, she could feel his heated gaze.
Ignoring his presence, Tyler sat back in her seat and stared forward; she refused to give him the satisfaction of making eye contact.
“So, you just gone walk past me like you don’t see me?” Dexter barked, loud as usual.
“Dex, don’t,” his lawyer whispered. “This is not the place.”
“It’s always the place to address disrespect.” He glared at Tyler. “You been gone a couple of months and forgot who you belong to, huh?”
“Bro, chill,” Marty warned, peering over at the court officer near the door.
“Sir, please do not talk to my client,” Gene insisted.
“Fuck outta here. That’s my bitch, and if I wanna say something to her, then I’m gone say something to her.”
“She’s not your shit,” Aria hissed.
“Shut yo lame ass up. You think I don’t know yall amped her up to do this shit?” Dexter waved her off. “Tyler!”
Still nothing. She didn’t even flinch.
“You acting like I won’t flip the fuck out in here.”
“Please do so I can take off my heels,” Shane dared him.
“Yo big foot ass shouldn’t have on heels in the first place. You need to take them canoes off.” Dexter frowned. Only then did Tyler snicker. She told Shane his pointed-toe pumps looked like boats, but he still wore them.
“I’ll slap you in the back of the head if you laugh at this nigga jokes,” Shane hissed. “His Jheri curl wearing ass ain’t funny. Sitting over there looking like a fake ass Mexican. Nigga wanna be a thug but wearing fucking finger waves.”
“Please calm down,” Gene whispered as the doors to the judge's chambers opened.
“All rise,” the court officer requested as the judge marched toward her seat.
After taking a seat, the judge picked up a stack of papers and read through them. Once she understood what was going on, she nodded and placed the stack of papers to the side.
“This is a preliminary examination; however, it is my understanding that both sides are looking to get the case resolved today instead of dragging it out in trial. I’ve read over the information from the prosecution, and while I’m all for not wasting the taxpayers' dollars, this ruling will be fair and unbiased,” she stated. “The plaintive has the floor.”
As soon as the judge gave him permission, Dexter’s lawyer painted Tyler as a young, out-of-control singer who couldn’t control her temper.
He played clips of Tyler’s public disputes, voicemails, and showed records of hospital visits.
If the goal was to embarrass Tyler, he succeeded.
She didn’t remember half of the videos and the voicemails made her cringe.
She’d go from cussing him out to crying to threatening to kill him.
The entire time his lawyer spoke, Dexter sat back snorting and making side remarks.
The judge warned him several times to chill out, but her words went in one ear and out the other.