Page 37 of The Fall Guy

Lifting my shirt, I pull out the letters. The handwriting on the front is mine and I find the envelope unsealed. All mail is checked on the way in and out of prison, but none of these letters have ever been sealed.

A bitter taste fills my mouth. Not one member of my family has visited me since I went down. The governor might’ve cut off my written communication, but surely she couldn’t control myvisitor rights. Plus I’ve tried to call. I have to face the fact they’re all absent from my life because they choose to be.

The day my father died I lost them. When I get out, perhaps it’s time to cut ties completely. Fuck them. I don’t need them.

Going back to the Cyclones also doesn’t sit right with me. I might be getting a second chance and maybe I need a new start. If I slip back into old ways, I could end up back here of my own accord.

Then there’s Rio. He’s not a good man, I know that. But he’s been good for me. He’s pushed me to own who I am. Maybe I’ve always known I was gay, he just confirmed it.

I’ve fallen asleep in the chair when the door opens, and my lawyer, Jarred Burgess, enters. He looks unimpressed, which is probably because I haven’t given him an ounce of truth since we first met. He shoos the guard out of the room before setting his briefcase down on the table.

“I think it’s time you give me the whole story so I understand what is going on.”

I raise my eyes, studying him. Now the governor knows the truth, what do I have to lose? “The police turned up at my house and accused me of a crime. They had evidence, including pictures of someone who looked like me in the car that injured the boy.”

“But you weren’t at the scene when the accident happened, and you’ve never driven that car?”

I chew on my lip, finding it hard to admit the truth. I shake my head. “No, it wasn’t me. This stays between me, you, and the governor for now. My twin brother was in the car. He was the one who injured that boy.”

He wipes his hand over his lip. “Okay, so you were trying to protect your brother?” He thinks out loud. “We can work with this. What’s changed with your brother? What has he told them?”

I shrug, unable to hold back my sarcasm. “Have you forgotten I’m trapped in this hell hole? The last person I spoke to on the outside was my old housemate about a week ago to check on my pet goldfish.” Okay, so that’s partly a lie, I don’t have any pets, but hopefully, he’ll understand I’ve been abandoned in here.

“Why did you agree to take the fall, instead of letting your brother take the blame for the crime he committed?” He completely ignores my outburst, choosing to continue his line of questioning.

I rub my jaw carefully considering what I’ve been asked. “I’m not sure exactly. I was told it was the right thing to do because I’m the screw-up of the family.” I frown hating that I’m admitting this.

He nods, lost in his own thoughts. It feels weird trusting someone, especially after being inside. Trust is a weakness while in prison and not something I did often even in the outside world. It takes time to scope people out and although I’ve spent time with this guy, I haven’t given him a chance to prove himself before now. I’ve known my lawyer for a while, but all I’ve done is ignore his pleas and advice on how to handle my case. Now I have to put my confidence in him if I want to be a free man.

I tell him about the conversation I had with the governor and give him the letters I took from her office. We fill in some paperwork and he makes some calls. By the time he’s packing up I’m exhausted and just want to go to bed. The guard takes me back to the inner prison, and I slip into my cell after the jail is locked down.

Rio’s topless laying on his bed. My eyes wander over his abs, and suddenly, I’m not so tired anymore.

“So, you’re getting out?” he says.

I shouldn’t be surprised he already knows something has changed. He’s been one step ahead of me all this time.

“It looks that way,” I say, trying not to show any emotion on my face.

I head to the sink and wash my face. I remove my shirt, dropping it to the floor. Towering over Rio I keep tight-lipped. I’m not sure how he’s feeling about us or the idea of me getting out.

“Take the pants off too. I want to enjoy you for as long as I can.” It’s so easy with Rio. He always knows the right thing to say especially when I’m not ready to play all my cards. I do as he requests, and he loses his trousers too. The smile on my face feels wicked as I climb on top of him.

Our lips connect and he puts his arm around my waist. I already know what he’s planning. Rio likes to be in control. But after the day I’ve had I’m not willing to submit. He tries to flip me over so I’m underneath him; I thrust down into his groin not letting him.

“Not tonight,” I whisper in his ear.

He tries again but I’m not budging. I lick down his collarbone paying special attention to the mess I made with my knife. The skins reddened and is healing into a thin scar.

“You still owe me for that,” he says, gesturing to the mark I’ve left.

“Aw poor kitty, how can I make it up to you?” I bite down gently on his shoulder as close to the wound as I dare.

He growls. “Let me take your ass.”

That’s the first time he’s asked to have sex. We’ve fooled around plenty of times but never gone the full way. The offer istempting but he’s playing dirty. He just wants to dominate the situation as usual.

I shake my head. “No.”

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