“God, that would be fucking great if it was done with.”
“Right?” she asked, taking a loud sip of something. “Bad news, though, they refuse to drop resisting arrest.”
“What about the bribing an officer bullshit?”
“They aren’t backing down that it’s legit, but I’m not worried about that. This charge though, resisting arrest, they are leaning to make it a felony. That could be jail time if they go that route instead of a misdemeanor.” She sucked in a breath. “There has been a push to make an example of the hotheaded athletes who do cross the line and use their power to abuse the system.”
Jail time. Jail time.
Jail time.
“Hm?” I said, my stomach turning over inside to the point the heat felt stifling. I could throw up. “Jail?”
“It’s a slight chance, Brigham. If they can prove, without a doubt, that you did try to hurt or threaten an officer…it won’t be good.”
“I didn’t fucking do that.” I ground my teeth again and Sarah’s laughter caught my attention. God, our life were total opposites right now. Hers was on a high, mine at a low. She met my eyes and stilled, her pretty face contorting to concern, and I positioned myself so my back was to her. I was selfish enough thinking I could keep my mess away from her, but I would never forgive myself if I took a moment of joy away from her during her event. “What are the next steps? Do we go to court?”
“I’ll see what the prosecutor says. I’m calling them tomorrow. I don’t think you’ll have to do time. They might want a plea deal.”
“You think I should plead guilty to bullshit charges?”
“I think we wait and see what happens first.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose as anger rolled over me, clouding my mood and making every muscle tighten to the point of pain. If I pled guilty, that would be forever. Felony?Fuck no.There was no way Los Soles’ owner would want me around. They prided themselves on being role models. I could hit .700 and still get the boot if I got charged with a felony.But jail time?I gulped and tried to swallow, but it got stuck in the back of my throat. “Keep me posted.”
“Will do. I’m hoping this will come to an end soon, Brigham.”
Me too, I thought, hanging up the phone and giving myself thirty seconds to shove all thoughts of this, my life, thewhat-ifs, deep down so Sarah wouldn’t see. My gut churned and my mind raced at everything I could lose. It was fucking hard not to imagine myself in jail, not playing baseball again. A final numbness took over. Karma had a weird way of working out and I was a dumbass, an asshole party-boy who’d taken it too far one too many times, and this was life’s way of balancing that out.
Acceptance was a real bitch and the uneasy realization made one thing very clear.
Sarah Bell had no place in my life.
Not when hers was just starting. If I got convicted…she couldn’t be associated with me. A dude who could be in jail.Fuck.My breathing got heavier and the weight on my chest felt like a car pressed against my beating heart. My jaw tightened and I masked my face.This is about her. Sarah.
“Brigham?” she asked, walking closer to me, and it took every part of my body to look relaxed. I slouched a shoulder and turned with a smile. “Hey, what happened?”
“Lawyer call. Nothing new,” I said, reaching for her and pulling her into a hug. “Enough of that. Let’s talk you, superstar.”
Her face flushed and it was then I noticed the sunburn on her shoulders. It looked wrong on her smooth white skin, and the image of it bothered me. I reached over and trailed a finger on it. “We need to get you out of the sun.”
She hissed and looked down. “Damn. I put on a ton of sunscreen.” She shook her head and looked up at me with so much hope, tenderness and trust that it was enough to make me almost get sick. “You’re frowning, Brigham.”
“Just tired.”
“Ugh, my fault.” She leaned forward to rest her forehead on my chest. “Sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize. I’m glad I was there with you.” God, my chest fucking hurt, having her in my arms and knowing there was a timer ticking down until I had to say goodbye to her. “Come on. Is there anything I can help you with, or can we head out?”
“Uh, well.” She looked around and chewed on her bottom lip. “It’s picked up. The tent guys will come later today to take them down, and they were already paid. I think… I think I can leave.”
“We have a lot to celebrate, Blue Bell.”
“Yes, yes we do.” She softened her gaze, letting it fall from my eyes to my mouth. My breath hitched in my throat when she reached for my hand and intertwined our fingers. “You have been the best surprise. I feel lucky.”
Fake it. Fake it, don’t ruin this.
“Baby, I feel lucky.”
