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I know this part too. Most of my clients argue their innocence until I lay out the facts and explain that there’s no way they’ll win if we take it to trial. Granted, there are the occasional few who really didn’t do what they’re accused of. But those are rarer than I care to think about. I know some public defenders would look at a kid like Will and write him off. They’d look at their caseload and talk him into a plea so they could move on to the next file. But that’s not why I took this job.
“Why don’t you tell me what happened that night,” I say. “Everything you can remember.”
Will looks at me for a long moment like he’s trying to decide if I’m tricking him. I guess he must be satisfied with what he sees because he blows out a breath and sits up a little straighter in his chair before he begins to speak.
Chapter 5
Presentday
Cole
I walk away from Layna’s apartment, taking the side street that leads to my house. I keep replaying those last few minutes in my head. How did I not realize she was going to end things? It’s not like she hinted at it. She’s been a little distant lately, but I just figured she was busy with her sister’s wedding. I didn’t think she’d actually end things.
I don’t know why I’m so surprised. Someone like Layna doesn’t do flings. I’m shocked it went on as long as it did. Hell, I’m shocked she ever let me touch her in the first place. She’s a lawyer and I’m the owner of a bar in Peach Tree, Georgia. What did I think was going to happen? I tell myself it’s for the best that we ended things now before one of us got too attached. That might have made things awkward between us. Especially since her sister is marrying my best friend. It’s not like we’d never see each other again.
This is for the best, I decide as I let myself into my house. It’s quiet, as it has been ever since my brother and my niece moved in with his girlfriend. I’m happy for Linc, even though it took me a while to get used to the house being so empty. The three of us lived here together for so long that I’d grown used to the company. Come to think of it, I’d never lived by myself before Linc and Ella left. I went from my parents’ house to the college dorm, to living with Linc and Ella.
Now that I’ve had time to get used to the silence, I think I like living alone. Not that I don’t miss having them nearby. But in a town as small as Peach Tree, it’s not like I need to go far to visit. Plus, I volunteer to hang out with Ella any chance I can. I pretend it’s just to give Linc and Harlow time alone, but really, I just love being Ella’s fun uncle. It’s a role I take seriously. And it has the bonus of annoying the shit out of my big brother.
I have a few hours before I need to go to work, but I don’t want to spend them in this big empty house all alone. I could go to the gym, but I’m not in the mood for a workout. If I’m honest with myself, I’m not in the mood to be alone with only my own thoughts for company. The thing about living in a small town is that there are limited places to socialize with other people, especially at 8:30 in the morning. Luckily, I know just the place. Smiling, I turn and walk back out the front door and to my truck.
I make the short drive to Piping Hot Brews, Peach Tree’s most popular coffee shop. The coffee is amazing, but that’s not the main reason I like to go. The blueberry scones are the best I’ve ever had. If I’m lucky they’ll still have some left from the morning rush. The shop also happens to be owned by Layna’s sister, Piper. The joys of small-town life.
When I arrive at Piping Hot Brews, I’m surprised to see not Piper behind the counter, but Luke. I’ve known Luke since he and my brother met their first year of college and he’d come home with Linc for Thanksgiving. At the time, I’d wondered why he didn’t go home to his own family for the holiday, but it seemed rude to ask. Eventually, Luke told us that holidays with his parents were typically miserable affairs and he’d much rather experience them with a loving family. He usually couldn’t get out of Christmas with his parents, but he spent every Thanksgiving after that with us. Not that my folks minded setting another place at the table. They adore Luke. If he weren’t a grown man, I think my mom would have tried to adopt him.
“Hey, Luke,” I call as I make my way to the counter.
“Hey,” he answers. “Let me guess. Blueberry scone?”
My eyes scan the glass case where the pastries are stored, searching until I see that I’m in luck. The blueberry scones haven’t sold out yet.
“You know me well,” I say when I reach the counter. “Iced coffee and a blueberry scone, please.”
Luke shakes his head at me, but he’s smiling. “You know it’s possible to become addicted to sugary pastries.”
I shrug. “If these blueberry scones are wrong, I don’t want to be right.”
I look around for Piper while Luke works to make my coffee and plate the scone. I don’t see her anywhere. The shop isn’t overly busy right now, but there are enough patrons in here that one person shouldn’t be working alone.
“Where’s Piper?” I ask.
He hands me my coffee and rings up the sale on the register. “She needed a few minutes to relax,” he says. “She’s stressing about the wedding. I sent her back to her office with some noise-canceling headphones and a calming playlist.”
I nod as if I understand. I don’t know the first thing about planning a wedding or the stress that goes into it. But I know Layna was on the phone with Piper earlier and she was definitely talking her down over something to do with dresses. Not that I can tell Luke that. No one knows about me and Layna. We’ve kept it a secret from everyone we know.
“I’m sorry, man,” I say. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t think so. I hired a wedding planner last month. It’s last minute because we thought we didn’t need one. But it’s a friend of Mya’s. She’s doing us a big favor taking us on.”
I nod as I bite into the scone. I groan, my eyes rolling back in my head as I chew. I point to the scone and talk with my mouth full.
“This is just what I needed,” I say.
Luke rolls his eyes and tosses me a napkin. “Chew with your mouth closed. Heathen.”
“Don’t scold the customers,” Piper says, walking up behind Luke and wrapping her arms around his waist.
Luke shifts so he can put an arm around her shoulders and kisses the top of her head. “Cole doesn’t count as a customer.”
