“Bitch,” Kendall said before she stormed out.
I took a deep breath to calm my racing nerves.While I’d only confronted my mom and sister a week ago, confronting all of them like that… While it felt good to get those monkeys off my back, crashing out was a possibility.
“We’re going to need statements from all of you,” the officer said, watching Kendall and my mother storm off.
“We’ll be right behind you,” Lucas said.
“Central Station.”The officer left, and I could hear my father’s bluster when the officer climbed into the vehicle.
“Well, so much for a quiet Saturday,” I said.Everyone laughed, and the tension dissipated.“Let’s go get this over with.”
“I’ll be right there with you.”Lucas put his arm around my waist.
I leaned against him.“Thank you, my love.”
His eyes widened, but he didn’t say anything.We had time.Lots of time.
* * *
“Are you holding up okay?”Lucas asked several hours later as we left the police station.
“I’m good.”
He’d been more than gentle and caring since we left my house for the police station.I was glad the whole thing was over with.
Charges had been filed against my father, and I was surprised my mother and sister didn’t lie to the police about what happened.Instead they said my father was just upset.I told the officer to only file trespassing charges against my mother and sister and let them go.
Before we left, we were told my father was taken before an emergency judge and his bail revoked.Not even his high-powered lawyer could get the judge to change his mind.So dear dad would be spending some time in jail before his trial.
Honestly, I didn’t care.My family never wanted me.Maybe someday we could be friendly, but I doubted it.
Lucas pulled into the parking lot of a local pizza place.“You sure you’re up to this?”
“Yes.I’m starving, as is everyone else.”We never got the chance to finish the breakfast Cassie and Marcus had brought.
“I vote for an all-meat pizza,” Marcus said after the server had taken our drink order.
“Of course you do.”Cassie patted his arm.
“Valerie?”Lucas looked at me.
“I’m going to get my favorite: chicken and pineapple.”
“Blasphemy,” Asher said.“Pineapple on pizza.”He shook his head.
“That sounds good,” Cassie said.
“It does.Let’s get an extra-large, and the guys can get what they want,” Emma suggested.
In the end, we ended up with three pizzas, the chicken and pineapple, an all-meat, and a cheese pizza.We chatted as we ate, and I slowly relaxed.So much had happened this morning, my brain was still playing catch-up.But I was happy sitting here with Lucas and our friends.
Friends.I had friends I could trust for the first time in my life.My heart lightened.
“So, before we were so rudely interrupted earlier, you didn’t have a chance to answer my question.What do we need to do to convince you to come to work with us?”Asher asked me.
“No pressuring her,” Lucas spoke up.“Valerie can make up her own mind.”
“Thank you.”I placed my hand on his arm.“I’ll need to talk with my boss first.”It was only fair I give him some warning.
