The Wrong Right Man(60)
I set my cup down, rest my head on Jamie’s chest, and stare at the two men sitting opposite us. I want to say something, but I honestly don’t have a clue what I could say that would make any of this better.
I look up when Braxton comes into the room, and his eyes soften on me before he walks the lawyer to the elevator. Once the older man is gone, he comes into the living room and looks at my brother. “Freddie is fine,” he says, holding Jamie’s eye, and I squeeze my brother’s waist. “The doctors said he had alcohol poisoning, which is why he blacked out.”
“So I didn’t hurt him?” Jamie asks, sounding as relieved as I feel.
“You did, but not as bad as you thought you did. They are keeping him in the hospital overnight, and the cops are going to talk to him in the morning when he’s sober. There is a chance he could press charges against you, but he’s going to have some questions to answer himself, since the cops were able to match his prints to the ones on the box we intercepted.”
“I still can’t believe he did this shit.” Jinx sighs.
“I wish I could tell you it wasn’t him, but I found out a few minutes ago that he’s on video in the elevator.”
“I don’t get why he would do it. He never flirted with me, he didn’t even really talk to me.”
“I knew he had a thing for you,” Lozz admits, running his hand through his long hair. “He just wasn’t sure if Jamie would be cool with him asking you out, and he wanted to make sure you were over the Troy shit before he did.”
“You never mentioned that to me,” Jamie says.
Lozz sighs. “I never thought it was a big deal. I sure as hell didn’t think he’d do the shit he did.”
“I don’t want to bring this up now, but we need to call Dan. We’re down a band member, and we’re going to have to find someone to replace Freddie before we go on tour.”
“Shit,” Jamie groans. “I want to kick his ass all over again.”
I sit up to make room for Braxton on the couch next to me, and once he’s sitting, I curl into his side, resting my cup on his thigh. “You need to wait to see if Freddie presses charges,” Braxton says. “If he does, that might make it a little more difficult for you to leave town. If he doesn’t, you can explain what’s happening and ask if Dan knows someone who can fill in for Freddie until you can find a replacement.”
“I didn’t really want to call him tonight anyway,” Jamie says, and my eyes soften on my brother’s tired face.
“Do you want to stay here?” I ask, and Braxton gives my upper arm a squeeze of approval.
“Nah, I’m going to head home.” He sits up, patting my leg, and then he eyes Braxton. “Thanks for everything you did tonight, man. I really appreciate it.”
“Anytime,” Braxton replies quietly, and my throat gets tight with emotion. Somewhere along the way, he and Jamie have formed a bond that is all their own, and that is something I didn’t know would be so important to me.
Jamie stands, and Jinx along with Lozz get up as I push off the couch, pulling Braxton up with me. “How are you guys going to get home?” I ask them when we reach the elevator.
“Don’t worry about us. We’ll grab a cab when we get downstairs,” Lozz tells me, giving me a hug. I hug Jinx next then go to my brother when he opens his arms.
“I’m really glad you’re okay.” I circle his waist and squeeze as he kisses the top of my head before he releases me.
“Stan will call you in the morning after Freddie speaks with the police. We’ll regroup after that,” Braxton says.
Jamie takes his hand and orders, “Take care of my sister,” patting his shoulder before letting him go.
I watch the three of them get on the elevator then wave as the doors close. Once they’re gone, I turn and look up at Braxton, placing my hands on his chest as his settle on my hips. “I changed my mind.”
“About what?” he prompts.
“My willingness to do whatever you want in order to get that vacation I mentioned earlier.”
He grins then touches his mouth to mine. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I’m ordering Chinese,” Alisha says, coming into the room, and I turn to watch her look around. “Oh, your brother and his friends already left.” She meets my gaze. “Do you two want something to eat?”
“Please.” I rest my hand on my stomach. Now that the drama is over, I’m starving.
“Give me your order.” She smiles, and I tell her what I want, and Braxton gives her his order. “It will probably be a while before it gets here, and your dad is taking a nap. He’s had a day.” She laughs as she walks off, and I couldn’t agree more with Bret. It’s been a day that’s felt like a year. I’m just glad it’s over.
________________
I wake when Braxton’s phone rings, and for the first time ever, I’m not upset, because I can hear the person on the other end of the line explain that Freddie isn’t pressing charges against Jamie and that he admitted to what he did to me. When he hangs up the call, I listen to his phone hit the bedside table then cuddle closer to him as he pulls me up so my head is resting against his pec.
“Are you awake?” he asks with his breath brushing my forehead as his fingers skim down my spine.