Page 37 of The Ruckup
After dragging off my own shirt and pulling it over her head, I stand from the couch, pulling her up with me. “We should eat breakfast before it’s completely cold.” I lean close, pressing my lips against hers before I say, “and then I’m getting you off again.”
13
Don’t Fuck with Glenda Albright
Maddie
I KNEW THIS was coming, but gosh I freaking hate this place. If I never see the inside of this courthouse again, it will be way too soon. It’s been months since the last time I was here, but I still remember the smell. Almost like an old attic. Maybe that’s from the aging carpet and fixtures. Possibly the scent of all the paperwork that passes through this place.
Or that could just be how depression and regret smell. If it is, I might be what stinks. It’s been nearly a week since Drake showed up at my office, and I’m still fighting my emotions surrounding the incident. The fear. The violation. The guilt. The frustration. It’s at the front of my mind all the time.
Well… notallthe time. Leo’s managed to distract me on more than a few occasions.
Unfortunately, he’s the reason for many of the emotions I’m harboring, so as soon as thatdistraction’sover, they come back with a vengeance. I can’t help but feeling like I’m fucking up his whole life. That he’s giving everything and I’m bringing nothing but problems to the table.
And I’m an awful, needy person because I still wish he could be at my side right now.
I’m not alone. My victim’s advocate is here on one side and the new attorney Leo hired is on the other. But neither of them makes me feel safe the way he does. Which is kind of funny considering I’m pretty sure my new attorney could take Drake down without breaking a sweat. She hasn’t stopped glaring at him since we took our place at the back of the courtroom for his hearing.
My victim’s advocate leans close, resting a hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to be here for this if it’s too much. I can stay and let you know what happens.”
I try to smile, wanting her to know how much I appreciate the offer, but I can’t. Not while I’m staring at the back of my ex-husband’s head. “I want to be here.”
Wantis probably a strong word. Ihaveto do this. Not only to prove to myself I’m not afraid, but to show Drake I won’t hide from him.
Plus, I want Drake to see my new attorney. I want him to know the game has changed. That I won’t be dealing with the lackluster and meddling representation of an attorney I felt forced to use.
Now I have Glenda Albright in my corner. From what Leo was able to find out, she has a reputation for being vicious, cutthroat, and fearless. All things I could never be—even on my best day—and I love having her next to me.
Even if I do find her a little intimidating.
Hopefully she scares the shit out of Drake. Or at least a couple juicy farts. Enough to make him back down on a few things concerning our divorce so we can get it done and over with.
Unfortunately, today won’t deal with any of that. Today is about his violation of the protection order I have against him. My victim’s advocate seems to think he’ll get at least a little bit of jail time for it, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad thing. I learned very early in our marriage it wasn’t advisable to poke the bear.
And jail time would be one hell of a jab.
I check my watch, because it’s gotta be close to starting time, and I want to get this done and over with so I can get the heck out of here. Go visit Abuela and let her feed me something that might make me feel a little better.
But when I see the time has come, instead of relief, I feel ready to throw up. I don’t like confrontation, and court is kind of the ultimate confrontation.
I wipe my palms down the front of my dress pants—by the time this is all over I’m going to have worn holes on the thighs of everything I own—as the bailiff moves to close the doors. Before she can complete her task, I hear a familiar voice yell, “Keep it open.”
I turn as three faces I know well rush into the quiet courtroom. I blink in surprise as Sylvia, Sharon, and Betty make a beeline for the row of benches along the back wall where I sit. My advocate seems to understand they’re coming for me, and she stands, leaving space for the girls to take the seats directly beside me.
Sylvia plops her butt down on the long surface, immediately reaching for my hand. “Did we miss anything?”
I shake my head, throat tightening. I planned to go through this pretty much alone. I knew there was no way in hell I wanted my parents here—and that there was no way in hell Leo should be here considering what happened the last time his path crossed Drake’s— so I was resigned to having only the advocate and lawyer at my side. And that would have been enough. It would’ve been okay.
But knowing these girls have my back gives me strength I wasn’t expecting. Strength enough I lift my chin and my eyes, holding Drake’s gaze when I find him staring back at me.
I can do this. And, because of my friends and Leo, I can do it without the fear and isolation I was facing before. It gives me hope I’ll come out the other side of this. Probably a little broken and a little damaged, but somehow I think I’ll also be better than I was before. Braver. Stronger. Maybe even a little louder.
The bailiff checks the hallway, then closes the door and takes her seat as the judge enters the room, and the hearing begins.
“THEYWHAT?” MY abuela’s head tips back on a hearty—and slightly evil—laugh. “That is amazing.”
My lips twitch at the memory of watching Drake walk out of the courthouse—after being told to report Friday for the four weeks he was sentenced to serve—to discover his car being towed. “It was pretty fantastic.”
