Page 6 of Feeling Blue

“And smart, and strong, and capable, and protective, and unbeatable. The fucking blueprint. Don’t cower to your own fears. Once you stand to speak today, this entire room is going to be under your influence. Today, you’re the absolute biggest person in this room, so act like it every time it’s your time to shine. Understand?”

Forever nodded with a sheen of tears covering her eyes. Unable to say anything in response, but more grateful than she could even put into words. Forever hugged Jerrico tightly. He encompassed her in a tight embrace until she pulled away.

“Thank you doesn’t feel like enough right now.”

“Because you’re too big for something so small. We’re all here pulling for you.”

Forever nodded as he stood and went back to his seat. Her eyes followed, landing on all of her and Blue’s loved ones. She smiled at them all before turning back to face the front of the room. She used the rest of the time before court began to review and prepare her arguments. Before long, the judge entered, then the jurors, and lastly, causing her heart to beat erratically, her Blue-Blue.

In the tailored slim fit suit and Jordan 1’s on his feet, Blue strolled into the courtroom. His long locs tied at the back of his neck, swaying with each step he took. His thick black beard rested just along the neckline of his shirt. He’d looked massive in the small meeting room at the prison, but to see him in the middle of the courtroom, still looking larger than life,made Forever’s panties moisten. His laid back demeanor, calm facial expression, and sexy ass walk made her heart race with anticipation.

As he always was, Blue appeared to be unbothered by any and everything going on around him, until…

“Damn…”

She read the words on his lips the moment she stood to her feet.

His eyes unhurriedly took her in, as he swaggered closer to her the best he could with his ankles shackled together. If their eyes could talk, there was no telling what the room would hear. Their gazes were just that potent. With his suit pants covering his long legs, and impeding just above his sneakers, Blue stopped in front of her with cuffed hands. He outstretched one for her to take. She did.

“Good morning, Mr. Rose.”

“Good morning, Attorney Maverick. Thank you for being here today.”

The goosebumps covering her skin should have been a shame, but she couldn’t help it if she tried. Blue standing tall in front of her, inches away from the free world, dressed good and smelling better, had her mind going blank. To reel herself back in, she stepped to the side to allow the sheriff to seat him at the table and uncuff his hands and feet.

She could hear their family saying one thing or another to him, bringing a small smile to his face. It wasn’t big as she was sure he wished it could be, but Forever saw enough of a curve to know having them there made him feel better. Once she was back next to him and the court had been called to order, Forever inhaled deeply with her head bowed.

She was about to pray once again when she felt Blue’s hand grab hers. She glanced at him, and his head, too, was bowed.

“God, you knew before I got here what was needed, you know now, and I trust you’re going to see us through to the finish. I’m here, use me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

When her head raised that time, it was game time. Forever didn’t bother backtracking into fear, nor did she bow down to her worries. She bowed to a man who didn’t tolerate fear, so she sent it back to hell where it had come from and stood to her feet next to her man.

“Attorney Maverick?” the judge called out to her. “Let’s hear it.”

He believed her from the inside out

Zurich “Blue” Rose

“Your attorney and family are waiting for you outside, Mr. Rose. Congratulations!” The sheriff, who had been escorting him all morning, gave him a pat on the shoulder. “You dodged a bullet today. Don’t come back.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Blue assured him while looking through the glass doors at all his family standing on the stairs laughing and taking turns hugging Forever.

He could see her smile from inside the building, and she deserved it. Not only had she done a damn good job and gotten him out, but she’d annihilated the shit. The way she moved around the room on her tall heels, making each of her points better than the last, showed just how good she really was. Blue had been able to tell she was smart just by her chosen profession and how she spoke, but being given a front seat to it was mind blowing.

As much as he’d tried to focus on the fact that his life was hanging in the balance, he hadn’t been able to do anything but marvel in admiration at Forever. A feeling of pride and astonishment overtook him as he watched the way she handled the judge, jurors, and courtroom as a whole. She’d been telling him that she could do it with her eyes closed and not to worry, but damn.

Seeing it actually happen had taken him by surprise. She was a bad bitch for real, and not on no disrespectful shit, but on some un-fuck-with-able type shit. She was truly in a league of her own, and he couldn’t wait to get her home and show her off to his family and gang.

“Scared?” the Sheriff asked as he stood next to an unmoving Blue.

“A little.”

“Don’t be. Just keep this as a learning lesson and make the best of your second chance. You know with the charges you had, this doesn’t happen often, if ever.”

“I plan to. Appreciate it.” Blue shook his hand once more before taking a few more deep breaths and heading outside to meet his people.

As soon as he pushed the doors open and the free air hit his face, he closed his eyes and held his head back toward the sky.

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