“Maverick Carter is a brave young man. It took a lot of courage for him to blow the whistle on his own father.”
“Indeed, Miguel. The community owes him a debt of gratitude.”
“Cray cray, right?” Jamal exclaims.
Miguel is silent for a moment, listening to the information being conveyed through his earpiece.
“Judge John Carter has just been apprehended by police at Beckley Raleigh County Memorial Airport, attempting to flee the country.”
“Totally insane,” I whisper.
“This will be the talk of the town for at least a decade. Mr. Holier-Than-Thou is a sex-crazed maniac.”
There’s no doubt in my mind Maverick planned this; the ultimate revenge. I want to comfort him, be a shoulder for him to lean on, but I can’t be drawn back into his world. Dee and Nix will help him cope through this scandal.
“Another beer.”
Ralph sighs, but slides another bottle my way, taking pity on me. I swallow down half the crisp brew in one gulp. Usually, I despise sympathy, but I’ll make an exception if it keeps the alcohol flowing.
I came to Duke’s after spending hours letting myself get beat senseless at the warehouse. Desperation led me there. I sought pain to numb my intense longing for Cocoa, but unfortunately, my ploy didn’t work. For my troubles, I have a black eye, a huge knot on my forehead, a bloody nose, and a busted lip. My only consolation is school starts tomorrow, affording me the chance to catch a glimpse of her.
Has she thought of me? Is she experiencing the same unbearable ache? I poured my soul into her the last night we were together and there it remains. I’m an empty shell. It’s impossible to eat or sleep. This is the worst hurt I’ve ever felt in my entire life.
Considering my abusive childhood, that’s saying a lot. Is this how my mother felt? Why she chose death over living in agony every fucking day? Fuck it, I’m going to her. No, goddamn it. I can’t break my word. I deserve to suffer. The last two weeks have been a helluva ride.
The presiding judge in John’s case deemed him a flight risk, so he’ll remain in jail during the duration of the trial. After news of his sexual crimes hit the air waves, local law enforcement accompanied by FBI agents swarmed the house and stayed half the day collecting evidence.
I was questioned for hours on end. Afterwards, I packed a bag and drove to Nix’s. Technically, I live there now. Mrs. Harper coddles the fuck out of me. I can imagine her reaction when she sees my face.
“Rough night?” Duke asks, sitting on the stool beside me.
“You could say that.” I polish off the rest of my drink.
“Ralph, two shots of vodka.”
“You got it.”
Ralph places the miniature glasses on the bar and fills them to the top.
Duke hands me one. “Here’s to a better tomorrow.”
We raise our glasses in a toast before downing the fiery liquor. The burn settles in the pit of my stomach.
“That’ll put hair on your chest,” Duke says, then turns his body slightly towards me. “Care to explain what caused the epic ass whooping you just got?”
I smile half-heartedly. “A girl.”
“It’s always a girl.” He chuckles. “The bane of man’s existence.”
“I’m in love,” I state somberly.
He nods in understanding. “First time?”
“Yeah.” I rub my chest, attempting to soothe the hollow ache there. “She’s it for me.”
“You’re young, you’ll fall in love again. Trust me.”
“No, never.” I shake my head. “Cocoa isn’t afraid to challenge me. While everyone’s busy worshipping the ground I walk on, she gave me her ass to kiss. I was suffocating until she came along and breathed life into me. Because of her, I’ve known contentment. I’m willing to change for her… do anything for her happiness. I need her now more than ever with this John bullshit going on, but she wants me to stay away.”
