Page 78 of Glamour and Grit

I file into the back of the room and sit in the galley. It takes a while for the case I’m interested in to show up. I almost drift off, because I’m quite frankly bored. You’re not allowed to be on your cell phone in the courtroom, because someone might snap a pic or something I guess.

Eventually, I perk up when a particular name is called.

“Justin Jackson.”

Selene’s brother shuffles up in front of the judge, wearing a nice suit that should probably have been tailored more. He seems like a man diminished inside of it, swallowed by the fabric.

The judge reads off the details of Justin’s plea deal. Five years probation, which is pretty damn good considering the grocery list of charges he was facing. The judge notes Justin’s cooperation with authorities, which probably helped lead to his light sentence.

When Justin is free to go, I meet him outside the courtroom. His eyes widen in surprise.

“Dane? I wasn’t expecting to see anyone here.”

“Yeah, well, Selene wanted to be here herself, but they had emergency reshoots today.”

“No, no, it’s good,” he says, nodding. “I’m glad she’s taking care of herself for a change, instead of messing up her life because of something I did.”

I nod. “You need a ride?”

“No, I’ve got it covered. I’m heading out of town tonight. I don’t think I should be in LA seeing as Moreno has it in for me.”

“Moreno’s facing dozens of federal charges, and he’s not getting out of it this time,” I point out.

“Yeah, but I squealed on the Mob. They’re going to have it in for me just on principle, no matter who winds up filling Moreno’s shoes as the head of the family.”

“Fair enough.”

That’s his own bed, and he has to lie in it. But I still wish him luck.

“Here,” I say, putting my number into his phone. “This is my phone number. If you get into some kind of trouble, and yougenuinely can’t handle it on your own, call me. Me, specifically, not your sister. Understand?”

“I understand. I won’t be messing up her life any longer, I swear.”

“I know. I’ll be there to protect her now.”

He nods. “I’m glad for that, too. Take good care of my sister, Dane. She deserves it.”

“I know. She’s one of a kind.”

We part ways, and I don’t look back. I hope Justin gets his life together. For his sake as much as his sister’s.

But now, I turn my attention to happier thoughts. I cruise down the boulevard until I find a roadside florist stand.

She doesn’t speak much English, I don’t speak much Spanish, but the proprietor and I work out a deal we can both live with. I arrange the bouquet behind the windshield and rumble to the freeway.

The sun shines bright and cheery in a perfect blue sky with only a few white fluffy clouds dotting the azure perfection. My bike is riding like a dream, and I’m on my way to see the love of my life.

Life is good.

When I roll up on the studio lot, the security guard is already raising the bar for me. I give him a wave as I pass. A lot of people are starting to think I work here, I come around so much.

I stroll across the lot, passing a gladiator, a stripper, and a half-dinosaur man. An assistant with a tablet and a headset pops out of a random door and glares at me.

“Are you the stuntman for the convict scene? We need you on set, like yesterday.”

“Sorry, no,” I say. “I’m just here to see my girlfriend.”

He mutters something unkind like it’s my fault his guy hasn’t shown up on time. I walk off shaking my head.

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