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’thad 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.”
