“Great. Thanks. Lot of help you are.” I hang up and pull myself to my feet.
Shit, my knee really hurts, but that’s minor compared to my bigger worry.
Drake’s interview.
From the moment he was arrested, he’s refused everything. No statements. No interviews. Nothing butno commentand silence. Now suddenly, he’s sitting down with a nationally renowned investigative reporter, airing it all out for millions of people to dissect?
Forgive me if I’m scared shitless.
I pace the room, my thoughts spiraling faster with every step. What am I supposed to do? WhatcanI do?
One answer rises to the top. Nothing. Not a damn thing.
I consider calling Drake and forcing him to tell me what the hell he’s planning, but he’s hardly been forthcoming thus far.
No, I’m going to find out the topic of this interview at the same time as everyoneelse.
“Oh good. Fucking great.” I swipe at the tears gathering in my eyes, my chest tightening as the panic claws its way up my throat.
I want to crawl under the covers and hide. Pretend none of this is happening.
But that’s not an option. Not anymore.
Time to call one of the few friends I have left.
Ash picks up on the second ring, Iris cooing in the background. “Hey, Kiki.”
“Sorry, I know you’re busy.” Understatement of the year. There aren’t enough hours in the day for him to juggle his businesses, house remodeling, and infant daughter.
Doesn’t seem to faze the man though.
“Never stopped you from calling before,” Ash teases. When I don’t reply, the humor drops from his voice. “You okay?”
“No. Drake is giving an interview at eight o’clock tonight.”
“Shit. About what?”
I tug a hand through my hair as a sharp laugh rips from my lips. “That’s the thing. I have no idea. His lawyer claims he doesn’t know either, which we all know is garbage.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I was hoping I could come to your place and watch it with you and Ori. I don’t think I can sit through this by myself.”
“Of course. Come on over. I’ll tell Ori to set an extra place for dinner,” he replies.
“I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“Yeah, well, that’s not going to fly with my woman, so you’re eating something. Even if it’s just a few bites.”
I smile into the phone, because I know he’s not lying. Ori may be tiny but the woman is fierce. “Thanks. I really appreciate you.”
“No problem. Door’s open.Come over anytime.”
Seems Ash decided to call in reinforcements, because when I walk into their place, Mina and Braden are already there.
They don’t hesitate, engulfing me in a bear hug.
Dinner passes with jovial conversation, with topics ranging from gardening to Iris’s latest milestones. There isn’t a second of silence at the table. I know everyone’s trying to keep my mind off what’s coming, but let’s get real—that’s not happening. I feel like I’m awaiting the executioner, and I swear the hands on the clock have started moving backwards.
