Needing a moment to myself, I sneak out of the private dining room and through the halls of the diner, looking for somewhere to find some peace. The dining room was quiet, silent in fact, and yet it was so loud in my head, I was struggling to concentrate.
I’m not even sure who I’m most worried about at this point. Yes, Zane’s in jail, awaiting a trial, but the determination set in both Sal’s and Tim’s features has me believing he’s going to be okay. That they’re going to find a way to ensure he’s cleared.
My concern comes from wondering what the hell they’re going to do to themselves in the process. Sal’s a smart man, but I wouldn’t put it past him to do something stupid, especially when it comes to protecting the people he cares about.
It’s been over an hour since they left.
What the hell could they be doing?
Sal’s a communicator, always, so his radio silence iskillingme.
After taking a deep breath, l lean back against the brightly colored wall near the bathrooms at the back of the diner, and close my eyes.
The loud pop music works to block the chaos in my mind, and I’m surprised to say it relaxes me a little. But it’s the vibration of my phone that really has me sighing with relief.
SAL: We’re on our way back. I’ll fill you in when I get there.
KEELEY: Thank God. The hearing is starting soon. Will you make it?
SAL: We’re only five minutes away
KEELEY: Did it help?
SAL: I really fucking hope so.
I don’t respond because I want to be back in the dining room when he gets there. Rushing this time, I walk through the doorway to the private area to find that Blair’s a complete mess.
“He’s going to miss the hearing, Mom.” She tugs on the strands of her hair, pacing the floor.
“He’s not,” I cut in before her mom responds. “Sal’s been texting me. They’re on their way back.”
“From where exactly?” Blair asks, her tone suspicious.
“He didn’t say.” And truth be known, I’m just as suspicious as she is.What the hell did they do?
Blair’s previously panicked demeanor turns to frustration now that she knows they’re on the way, but she aims her questions back at her mom, while the rest of us watch the exchange. Helpless. Waiting.
Barely a minute passes before the door finally opens and Sal and Tim step through.
A little of the tension leaves me when I see that Sal’s okay, until Blair’s mom gasps, and I turn to check what has her so frantic.
Sal may be fine, but Tim looks like he’s been beaten with a metal rod, and it doesn’t take much to guess who was on the other end of that beating. Zane’s dad.
God. I hope this works.
I’m usually cool, calm, and collected in high-pressure situations, but here in the courtroom, I feel like a completely different person. I can’t stop my leg from shaking, my heart is racing at a million miles per minute, and the pit in my stomach is so deep, it rivals the Grand Canyon.
Zane, on the other hand, is the picture of calm, relaxing back in his chair, his eyes on the door to the judge’s chamber.
I doubt he’s calm at all. He’s just putting on a front, likely for Blair.
The judge walks into the room, and my body—that moments ago couldn’t stop moving—stills, my racing heart frozen and my limbs paralyzed. This is it. This is the moment. There’s nothing more anyone can do.
I listen to the judge’s every word as he runs through the charges, my gaze darting between him and Zane, and it isn’t until he’s ready to announce the next steps that a shudder runs through me.
Sal’s giant palm curls around my thigh, giving me a reassuring squeeze, and my entire body finds equilibrium. My pulse slows, and I feel like I can inhale deeply for the first time, a calming breath seeping back into my lungs.
I’m about to silently thank him when his hand disappears, and I glance up to find him focused on the judge, as though I imagined the entire thing.
