“Oh, you can threaten to jump people, but when we do it, it’s a problem?” Aria twisted her lips.
“I just be talking shit. You and lil miss body builder really do it.”
“Hush.” Tyler bumped him. “And be nice. My freedom is in his hands.”
“Girl bye, this nigga always trying to get smart.”
“I mean he did go to law school,” Aria reasoned.
“And I went to school of the hard knocks…the fuck.” Shane switched away. “I’m a gay man that was raised in the grittiest part of Detroit, that beats a law degree any day.”
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.
