“Why?”
“I’d rather not have this conversation here.”
“Told you — no cameras, it’s just us. Plus, where else are we supposed to have this conversation?”
He nods, agreeing with me.
“Is that why the club’s paying your legal fees?”
“They’re not.”
“Oh, right… I forgot; a nonprofit is paying them. You think I don’t know it’s a shell for the club?”
“What do you want from me?” he shouts, thrusting his arms out to the side.
“The truth.”
“I told you, not here.” He pauses, shaking his head. “You asked me not to plead, so get me out of here, and I’ll tell you everything.”
“I never asked you not to.” I don’t even know why I’m trying to lie to him.
“Right,” he laughs loudly now. “Granted, you never said thewords, but we both know that’s only because Z was there, and we both know that’s exactly what you were asking.”
I don’t even know why I’m upset about him calling me out on the truth. I stand up, shoving everything that was sitting in front of me into my bag. “They dropped all charges last night; they’re just waiting on the paperwork to process.” Seeing new guards walking up to the door, I nod. “I’m assuming that’s what they’re here for.” Spinning on my heel, moving toward the door.
“Drew, wait.”
Letting my hand drop from the door, I motion to the guards to give us another minute.
“No, Eli, I get it; you owe me no explanation… about anything.” Emotions wanting to take control, but I’m attempting to force them back down. “Don’t explain how you’re suddenly best friends with my brothers again after years. Don’t explain why you ‘allegedly’ tampered with evidence that got you fired and arrested. Don’t explain why it looks pretty apparent that you’re on the club’s payroll. And definitely don’t fucking explain why I woke up alone.”
“I —” he stops abruptly. “Drew, I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, Eli. Really, it is.” I nod to the guards. My heart breaking all over again as the door unlocks and I lie to him before they open it. “It was a year ago. It doesn’t matter anymore.”
The guards move into the room and place the cuffs back on his wrists. Our eyes lock with one another’s as they move him out.
I’m sure he sees my eyes filling with water even as hard as I try to remain stoic.
The sun blinds me as I walk out the prison again.
I shouldn’t be surprised to find Z sitting in his truck outside the walls.
“Drew!”he calls out.
“What?”
“You did it!”He exclaims as he wraps his arms around me.
Pulling back, I give him a curious look as he glances back at the prison, like a little kid.
“You just tell him.”
“Yeah. What are you doing here?”
“I figured he’d need a ride back to his house, least I could do.”
“That’s nice.” I nod my head. “It looks like you got your friend back.” Shrugging my shoulders before I push past him and walk the rest of the way to my car.
