Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Banks rolls his eyes. “He’s not found them all yet.”
I rub my forehead.
“We gotta call Foxx,” Banks says. “You gotta call him. I was an innocent bystander in this?”
“How do ya figure?”
“It was your girlfriend we were defending. I really feel like I should get a break somewhere, considering I’ll also be catching charges if you do. The very least you could do for me is to call Foxx for bail and a ride.”
“How about rock, paper, scissors?” I offer.
“Nope.”
I take a deep breath. “Is it bad that I’m questioning if he’ll really come?”
“Ah, he’ll come. He won’t pass up an opportunity to hold this over our heads for the next ten years.”
We sit quietly as we wait on Skylar to come back. I try to keep my mind busy, occupied, and not on Ashley.
It won’t do any good right now.
But how am I not supposed to think about her? How can I not see her swollen cheek? The tears falling down her beautiful face. The pain. The disappointment.
Is she disappointed in me? Fuck.
Will she want anything to do with me?
“We’re friends. We’ve always loved each other. I’m not sure how we could ever hate one another.”
I guess the answer is yes, but she probably shouldn’t.
“Hey, Mad,” Banks says.
I look at him.
“Your mount was a little weak. Need to sharpen up a little. And turn your hips when you throw. You gotta …”
Banks keeps talking, and I hold my head.
It’s gonna be a long night.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Maddox
“I don’t know why you guys didn’t just call me,” Jess says as we climb into Foxx’s truck. “You could’ve saved us all the pleasure of dealing with him tonight.”
Banks leans behind Jess’s seat so Jess can’t see him. “What the fuck?” he mouths to me.
I shrug.
Foxx, clearly unhappy about having to get out of bed at two in the morning to bail his youngest brothers out of jail, glares at us in the rearview mirror.
“Grace is free, Foxx,” Banks says. “Kindness doesn’t cost a thing.”
I fire him a look to shut up.
“You’re so wise. Is that what you thought when you put your fist halfway through a man’s orbital socket this evening, Banks?” Foxx asks.
“In Banks’s defense, that motherfucker had it coming,” I say.
Foxx backs out of the parking space and then pulls onto the road.
The dark and drizzly night is as sullen as I feel. Jess hands me my phone, and I turn it on to see if Ashley has messaged me.
Ashley: Let me know when you are out and that you are okay. I’m going crazy worrying about you.
I type out a quick text.
Me: Sorry if this wakes you. Just got out of jail. Foxx and Jess picked us up, so you can imagine … I’ll call you tomorrow?
Her response comes immediately.
Ashley: Thank God. I’ve been dying over here. Is everything okay?
Me: Yeah. It will be. They told me you were pressing charges.
Ashley: Yes. Fuck him.
That’s my girl.
Ashley: Are YOU okay? Not everything else? YOU.
Me: I’m fine.
Ashley: Thank you for that tonight. For protecting me. I don’t really have words to express all the things right now but thank you.
Me: Do you want to come over? I can come and pick you up.
Ashley: I’m in bed and seriously exhausted. I’m sure you guys are running on adrenaline anyway. Maybe I’ll just come by tomorrow? Will you be home, or do you have to go to the office?
Me: I’ll be home.
Ashley: I’ll see you then. Get some rest.
Me: You too.
Ashley: And Mad …
Me: Yeah?
Ashley: Thank you again.
Me: Always.
Jess looks at me over his shoulder. “You guys hungry? Want Foxx to stop and get you a sandwich?”
Foxx says, “No.”
At the same time, Banks says, “Yes.”
“You’re not eating in my truck,” Foxx says.
“I’m starving,” Banks tells him. “I’ve been in jail. Where is your empathy?”
“It’s like you just met me. Do you honestly think I’m going to feel sorry for you tonight?” Foxx asks.
“It wouldn’t kill you.” I shrug. “We’re not asking for affection or nice words.”
Foxx ignores us.
“I tried, guys,” Jess says.
I shift in my seat. “Jess, why are you being so nice tonight?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
I glance at Banks. He looks terrified.
“No reason,” I say. “It’s just the middle of the night, and Foxx isn’t thrilled.” I pause. “How did you even know that Foxx was coming?”
Did Foxx smirk? Surely not. What would that mean?
“I just got home,” Jess says. “Traffic was awful, so I ended up stopping and ... long story. But I was in the driveway when Foxx went by, and I flagged him down to see if something was wrong or if he was going on some late-night surveillance mission.”
Makes sense. But I don’t know if it helps or hurts Banks’s state of mind.
Foxx pulls up in front of my house and stops.
“Thanks for coming,” I say. “We’ll pay you back in the morning.”