Page 126 of Saints & Sailors

I tried and failed to come up with any altercations I’d been in since moving here. I’d clashed with Scott and Dreux, but neither would cross me like this.

Shaking my head, I felt defeated. “No.”

“And no one else has the combination to your locker?” René asked, going and grabbing his tablet to type notes.

“Just, like, the senior office I believe,” I said. When I’d met with the senior guidance counselor my first day, she’d issued me a locker along with the combination to the embedded lock.

René was quiet as he typed this up. It was in the silence that I took the time to look at him. In his seriousness and determination, I saw Dreux. He even had a few freckles when I looked close enough.

“I’m going to have my guy do a little digging at that school,” René said as he came back to me. “Look at the cameras. See who has access to your locker besides you. If you’re telling the truth, none of this adds up. A shit ton of weed doesn’t just appear out of nowhere.”

“It looks bad, but I promise, it’s not mine and I wasn’t selling it,” I swore. “I’ve been a fuckup for a long time, Mr. St. Julien, but after Scott laid down the law and made me get rides from Dreux and work at Angela’s, I’ve been good. I’ve followed all the rules. And I’ve been sober. I did not do this.”

René stared at me as I stared at him. He broke away and rubbed at his chin, appearing thoughtful. “You go before a judge in the morning. I have a rapport with Judge Sparks, and I’m sure I can pull strings to get you bailed out. From there you will go home to Scott and remain there. No hanging out around town, no skipping town, and please, no stupid shit.”

Staying home under the radar sounded more like a reprieve than a punishment.

“Okay,” I agreed, hopeful this would be my last night in jail.

René released another sigh and once more took to examining me. “He really likes you.”

Considering where I was currently sitting, it felt like Dreux’s downfall. “He’s good for me, but I’m bad for him.”

René snorted. “He’s not perfect, either, Saylor. He was messing up a lot before his mom got on ’im. You were messing up until Scott got on you. Neither of you rebelled or pushed back. You listened, you learned, and you grew. Give yourself some credit. You deserve a happy ending.”

Tears lined my vision, and as much as I wanted to reject his kind words, I couldn’t.

After the arrest, I’d been nothing but hard on myself, and it wasn’t right or fair. I was innocent, whether anyone believed me or not. And René was right. I did deserve a happy ending.

It was all a matter of hoping I would see it.

Through his magic and connections, René was able to get me out on bail Wednesday afternoon. There were a lot of rules to follow upon my release, but I was free and out of that hideous sweatsuit.

There was something about the air of freedom that tasted better. I wasn’t out of the woods, but it was a step in a better direction. As hard as it was, I just had to stay positive.

“I’ve got someone doing research as we speak,” René told me as we stood outside of the courthouse. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this.”

“Thank you,” I said. “For giving me a chance and fighting this with me.”

“You’ve been a big help.” Scott stepped up and held his hand out. “I can’t thank you enough, René.”

René shook his hand and gave an earnest smile. “Never a problem, Scott.” He tipped his head my way. “I’ll be in touch. Be good, Saylor.”

Scott placed his hand to the small of my back and guided me to the parking lot toward his truck. It was just like the beginning, when he was picking me up and bringing me to his house after my life had gone to shit. I didn’t feel it then, but I felt it now. Shame. Embarrassment. Failure.

We were quiet the whole drive home and I tried my best to shrink into the passenger seat and disappear. Once or twice, I felt Scott glance my way. I wondered if he regretted this. If he wanted to send me back to LA.

“Dreux and Cameron have been worried sick.” He broke our silence as he let me in the front door at home. “Your friends Vanity and Bonham, too.”

It was nice to know the small circle I’d built gave a damn about me. That they weren’t about to ditch me over this.

Standing in the foyer, I turned and looked over at Scott, unsure where we stood.

He stared back at me, staying planted where he was. “Hey.” He opened his arms and I began to tremble as I stepped into them. I lost my strength as he embraced me tightly, like he’d never let me go. “I’ve got you, Saylor.”

I cried into my father’s chest, feeling like a little kid. “I’m sorry.”

He rubbed my back and rocked me. “It’s not your fault. We’re going to figure this out. Either way, I’m with you. We’ll fight this together. I’m not going anywhere.”