“Drew? Low?”Z’s voice calls out as we round the corner. “What are you guys doing here?”
I stand wide-eyed, just staring at my brother, not sure what to say.
“Oh, good!”Sherri comes around his side. “You guys were able to make it.” She turns to look at my brother. “They’re actually interning for me, and I told them to come if they could.”
As he nods to her explanation, before looking down at his phone. “I’ll be right back. I just need to take this.”
We remain silent as he walks toward the front of the courthouse.
“I thought you said you wouldn’t lie to him?”
“I don’t know why you guys are here. And I don’t really care.”
“Eli’s my ex, and Z doesn’t know.” It falls out of my mouth.
Sighing, she looks up towards the ceiling and sighs. “Nope, I didn’t want to know that.”
“And she’s still in love with him.”
“Fuck my life.” Sherri mumbles before she shakes her head, looking back down at me. “Actually, this could help. Find something in the discovery to get him out.”
“Please don’t say anything.” I beg her.
“Why is this family always so messy?” she nods to herself.
“You know how he can get. He’s gonna freak out.”
“Fine, but this is the only one.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
“Come on. Let’s go in.”
Glancing behind me, I see that Z’s now walking back up to where we are.
I’m sitting between Low and Z in the front row, as Sherri sits at the table on the other side of the railing.
I’ve sat in enough courtrooms waiting for an arraignment over the years; I’m used to this feeling.
“Ugh,” Z starts, looking over at me. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” I ask him.
“I haven’t been on this side in a long time; I forgot how stressful it is.”
“It’s fine.” I laugh. “I mean, the last time was a lot more stressful; you were facing life in prison...”
“Again, sorry.” Just shaking his head. “Why didn’t you tell me about the internship?”
“Ugh, it’s new. I’d been thinking about one and honestly Sherri slipped my mind until you brought her up the other day.”
We’re cut off by the sound of the side door opening, and I have to hide my reaction as I see Eli walk into the room, cuffed and in a jumpsuit.
I’m not sure who he’s more surprised to see here, Z or me.
Subconsciously, I grab Low’s hand and shake my head just enough for him to see, trying to tell him not to plead, wait it out, wait for us to find something.
“Sherri said he wants to plead.”
