“Okay, why don’t you start from the beginning and tell me everything you can remember? If I have any questions, I’ll let you know.”
With a quick glance at Coop, who nodded in support, I told Detective Stafford everything, starting with what happened in high school up until the events of the night before, reiterating that Tim had started the confrontation since that was on the recording. By the time I was finished, I felt emotionally exhausted, but also like a weight I’d been carrying for so long had finally been lifted.
“I’ll need a copy of the video you have, along with the recording you got last night. You can email them to me.” He handed over his business card.
“Okay. I can do that now.” I drafted an email and attached the two videos. “And sent.”
“Great. I’ll be in contact soon with the next steps.” He walked us to the door. “Feel free to call me if you have questions or remember anything you think might be important.”
“Will do,” I replied, and then Coop and I left.
When we were back in my car, Coop looked at me and asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Great, actually. For the first time, it feels like Tim no longer has any power over me. I’m finally free.”
20
COOP
My phone buzzed with a notification,waking me. I rolled away from Ford’s warm body to see I had a text from Hayden lighting up the screen.
Congrats on the win the other night. I have a free afternoon. Want to grab lunch?
I hadn’t seen Hayden since he and Tyler got married a few months ago. They’d had to deal with Tyler’s best friend getting shot, then they went on their honeymoon, and we hadn’t found a time to get together recently due to my schedule and Hayden’s.
I didn’t think Ford would have an issue with me having lunch with my friend, and I didn’t want to wake him to ask. Instead, I sent Hayden a reply:
Yeah, sure. I’d love to. Where?
Riverstone Grill? Noon?
I’ll be there
As I set my phone back on the nightstand, I caught a glimpse of my swollen knuckles. Surprisingly, they didn’t look that bad, and only felt a little stiff and bruised when I clenched my hands. I could only imagine what Tim’s face looked like because I didn’t go easy on him. I wasn’t much of a fighter, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have it in me.
Especially when it came to defending Ford.
As I had told him the night of the fight, there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him.
Ford stirred and rolled over to face me. “Good morning.”
I kissed his lips softly, trying not to wince, since the cut on my lip wasn’t healed. “Morning.”
It was still technically morning, but we had slept in. After the past forty-eight hours, I needed as much sleep as I could get. Especially since the next two weeks were going to be a whirlwind, what with playing the Finals.
“I thought maybe we can go to my place and get a few of my things today?”
I sucked in a small breath. “Um …”
He arched a brow. “What?”
“Hayden just texted me about meeting for lunch in a few hours.”
“Oh.”
Ford tried to turn away from me, but I grabbed hold of him.
“We can go get some stuff afterward. Lunch shouldn’t be long. He probably just wants to meet up to congratulate me for making it to the Finals.”
