Chapter 22 - Mckenna
TWENTY-TWO
MCKENNA
The days that follow Laura’s call are some of the strangest hours of my life. Time passes both quickly and slowly. My head is a mess. My emotions are all over the place. Confusion and hope. Worry and anxiety.
It all comes to an end four days later. I’m alone in the kitchen at the band’s brownstone, sitting at the butcher block island and researching various legal positions, when my phone rings.
When I note May’s number, I suck in a breath. My finger trembles as I swipe across the screen and lift my phone to my ear.
“May,” I murmur.
“Hi, Mckenna,” she says kindly.
I release a shaky breath. “Tell me. I’m ready.”
“All right,” she agrees calmly. “I have an update about the outcome of the case involving Branson Burton. This morning, the defendant pled guilty to one count of rape, two counts of assault and battery, and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon. The defendant has been sentenced to thirteen years in state prison followed by five years of probation. Once released from prison, he will have to register as a sex offender and comply with additional probation conditions. He will be eligible for parole after serving approximately eight years and ten months of his sentence, although that is not guaranteed and will be up to the decision by the parole board. We will notify you if there are any appeals, status changes, or parole hearings. Do you have any questions, Mckenna? Or would you like to arrange for a follow-up call after you’ve had some time to digest this information? ”
Holy shit. My heart pounds erratically and my palm feels clammy even though I’m gripping the phone hard enough to crack my knuckles.
On my laptop screen, the letters swim and words blur together. I pull in another breath, trying to quiet my mind enough to think straight. I suck in another lungful of oxygen.
“Yes,” I manage to say after a long moment. My voice is scratchy. Hell, my throat feels simultaneously dry and like I could vomit. “I’d like to arrange a follow-up call.”
“How about I email you some dates and times and you can confirm once you’ve had some time?”
“Good. That’s good, May.”
“Okay. Thank you, Mckenna.” May disconnects the call.
I drop my forehead to the top of the butcher block, resting it against the ledge.
“Oh my God,” I whisper to myself. When I straighten, the tears come. Tears of relief and anguish. My chest heaves as I press my face into my hands and sob. Laugh. Remind myself to fucking breathe.
Bran pled guilty. Guilty!
Did his family put pressure on him? Talk sense into him?
Did he make the decision on his own, propelled from some semblance of conscience?
I shake my head. I can’t believe it. He pled guilty.
And now, he will serve thirteen years in prison.
Relief flows through my veins as I sit in the quiet of The Burnt Clovers brownstone and feel the page turn on a chapter I’ve lived in too long.
So much pain. Agony. Uncertainty. Loss.
And yet, those months of not knowing, not understanding, and not belonging led me here. To this home. To Maverick Tate. To stability and family and love.
My sobs soften into shaky exhales as the instant release of emotion runs its course.
I’m okay. I drag a palm across my abdomen. We’re okay. I sputter as I glance around the kitchen, my home for the past year. Everything is fucking okay.
“Mckenna,” Mav calls out as he enters the brownstone. “I think I like daffodil best. It has more golden undertones than limoncello. I think that has more of a peach, maybe even orange, hue to it and—what’s wrong?” He stops in the entrance to the kitchen when he sees me.
“Maverick,” I say, my voice breaking.
“What is it? What’s happened?” His eyes roam over me. “Are you okay? Are you in pain? Do you feel—”
“Bran pled guilty,” I interject. “He was sentenced to thirteen years in prison.”
Mav’s mouth drops open. Then, his eyes narrow. “Not life?”
I snort. “We always knew that wasn’t a realistic term.”
“Should be,” he murmurs.
“Thirteen years, Mav. And he was charged with one count of rape. He was charged for what he did to me,” I say, that relief expanding with every passing minute.
As the information of Bran’s sentencing term sinks in, an unbearable weight dissipates from my shoulders, the space in my chest opens up, and I can breathe.
Full, deep breaths. I smile. “He’s going to prison. ”
“I’m so fucking happy to hear that, beauty.
” Mav cracks a grin. “In fact, that’s the best news you’ve told me since telling me you’re having my baby.
” He crosses the space between us and pulls me into his arms. “And asking me to marry you,” he tacks on, kissing me hard.
“And agreeing to be my fake girlfriend.” He cups my cheeks, looking directly into my eyes.
“And moving in here in the first place and changing my life for the better.”
Pesky tears prick my eyes again. “Mav.”
“He’s going to prison, Mckenna.”
“For thirteen years!”
Mav smiles. “That’s more than a decade.”
I nod, grinning at him through my tears. “I love you.”
“I love you so fucking much, I can’t express it.” He kisses me again, softer this time.
“You do any okay job,” I tell him.
He chuckles.
“I have to call Dad. And Allegra. I need to tell Ivy and Nova.” I point to my discarded cell phone.
“We should celebrate.” He glances around the kitchen. “Here. Let’s throw a house party here. Keep it casual but fun. Just, hang out like we used to.”
“Okay,” I agree.
Mav smiles. “I’ll plan everything. You call your dad and tell him and Jeannie to come over tonight.”
I laugh. “Okay.” I can’t remember the last time we had a party. Well, other than that one time Maverick attempted it and I kicked everyone out.
As if recalling the same memory, Mav pauses and glances at me. “Is this okay with your house rules?”
I flip him the middle finger and he laughs. “Call your dad,” he reminds me. “I’m calling the caterers.”
I sit back down at the island to dial Dad’s number when a call from Laura comes through.
“Laura!” I answer.
“You heard?”
“May called a few minutes ago. It’s true? Thirteen years.”
“It’s true. Do you have mixed feelings about this since there will be no trial now that Bran pled guilty?” Laura asks.
I pause, a thread of uncertainty thrumming through my veins. “I-I don’t know,” I admit slowly. “I was so relieved to hear his sentence that…” I trail off. “Do you know why he pled guilty?”
“I don’t know for sure. I doubt we’ll ever know.
But the rumblings I’ve heard are that his family put pressure on him by cutting all financial resources, including legal representation.
His cousin Eric was the last to bail Bran out, but once Eric decided not to fund Bran’s legal fees, he didn’t see a way out.
Going to trial would have been gambling.
Of course, he would have been appointed counsel, but it wouldn’t have been one of the fancy criminal defense lawyers his cousin was originally paying for.
Bran’s sentencing could have resulted in less time served, but it also could have resulted in a much longer prison term, considering the additional charges pressed against him. So, he pled guilty.”
“I can’t believe it,” I murmur.
“I just wanted to make sure you had all the information. Do you have any questions?”
“Not at the moment,” I say truthfully.
“I understand. Take some time, Mckenna, and I’ll reach out in a few days to check in.”
“Thank you, Laura.”
“You’re welcome, Mckenna. Take care.” She hangs up.
Mav’s still frozen in the kitchen entranceway, waiting.
“That was Laura,” I say.
“Yeah,” Mav replies.
“She heard that Bran pled guilty because his family, including his cousin Eric, pulled all financial support.”
“Thank God,” Mav breathes out. He closes the space between us and kisses me hard. “How do you feel, Mckenna?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit. “It’s surreal.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m relieved it’s finally over. And, I guess, shocked.”
“That’s understandable. It will take some time to adjust to this new normal.”
“Exactly. Let me call Dad.”
Mav nods and relocates to the living room to place an order with his go-to caterers.
“Kenny,” Dad answers on the first ring. “Any news?”
“Thirteen years,” I say, bursting into laughter. Then, I take a deep breath and recount everything May and Laura told me.
Dad whoops through the line, calling for Jeannie. Then, he promises to come to the brownstone tonight.
Because tonight, we’re finally celebrating.
Jameson, Levi, Derek, and Allegra roll through the door at eight p.m. with bottles of champagne, boxes of cupcakes, and noisemakers.
“I can’t believe it!” Allegra gushes, embracing me. “I’m so fucking happy!”
“You have no idea,” I say, holding on to my best friend.
“Best fucking news,” Levi agrees, kissing my cheek hello.
“I’m glad you got some justice, Kenny.” Derek wraps me in a one-armed hug.
“Thanks, Derek,” I say, patting his back.
Jameson’s eyes soften when he releases Maverick and spots me. “Kenny.” His voice is thick with emotion as he hugs me carefully. “You okay?”
“I really am,” I promise, touched by his concern.
But this group has been through so much with me. In many ways, they’re also getting some closure from this sentencing as well.
Dad and Jeannie arrive shortly afterwards. Mav has a delicious spread on the butcher block, courtesy of our favorite Italian restaurant.
Jameson pops a bottle of champagne and passes out flutes, skipping Levi and Maverick on account of their time in rehab and me on account of my pregnancy.
“Allegra.” He passes her a flute.
She fumbles it, almost dropping the glass.
Derek lunges for it, catching it in time. But he doesn’t pass it back to Allegra. Instead, he stands awkwardly with a champagne flute in each hand.
The chatter of our little group quiets as eyes turn toward Derek and Allegra. Their eyes hold, a silent conversation passing between them.
“Uh, is everything okay?” Levi asks.
“Yes,” Derek bites out.
Allegra sighs, giving me an apologetic glance.
“What is it?” Mav presses.
“I didn’t want to say anything, not when this is your night and we’re celebrating news we’ve waited for, for ages…” Allegra trails off, turning to look at me.
Understanding dawns and I squeal. “Holy shit, A. You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
My friend nods and I scream, rushing to wrap her in a hug. “Are you serious?”
“We’re going to be pregnant together,” she replies. “Our babies are going to be besties.”
“This is the best news!” I cry out. Again, we rock from side to side and squeal.
“Not as good as Bran going to prison,” she counters.
“Fuck Bran. This is so much better,” I assure her.
“I’m sorry, Kenny. I just found out a few days ago. Derek and I weren’t going to say anything tonight and—”
“I’m glad you did.” I cut her off. “We’re all together and now, we have more good news to celebrate.”
She pulls back to look at me. “You sure?”
I beam at Allegra. “I’m so thrilled for you.”
“Well, I feel like we should also tell you that we’re getting married next month,” Derek announces.
“What?” Levi barks, looking between his best friend and his little sister.
“Surprise!” Allegra gushes.
“You didn’t get my sister a ring?” Levi accuses.
Derek flips him the middle finger.
“It’s at home.” Allegra blushes. “We really weren’t supposed to do this tonight.”
“I’m so damn happy for you, A,” Mav says, wrapping her in a hug while I embrace Derek in congratulations.
Levi hugs his sister next as Jameson and Derek exchange words.
“How amazing is this?” Mav whispers, his eyes dancing.
“Our littles are going to be best friends,” I repeat what Allegra said.
“Cousins,” Mav corrects.
“Cousins,” I agree, wrapping an arm around his waist. “Isn’t it crazy how quickly things change, Mav? From yesterday to today? It feels like my entire life has flipped again. Righted.”
“Mine too,” he says, winding his arm around my shoulders.
“It’s about time you two get married,” Levi says to his sister and Derek. “Look at Mav and Mckenna.”
Mav snorts. “Who ever thought you and I would be held up as the poster couple for marriage?”
“Not me.”
Mav brushes a kiss to the top of my head.
“But I like that we are,” I add.
“Yeah,” Mav agrees. “And we’re just getting started, beauty.”
“I know,” I agree. We’re just getting started.