I am taken aback by Charlie’s affection. He has been acting differently towards me since Kline died. I appreciate that he is trying, but I hate that it took losing Kline to turn him around. My sweet mom can’t stop hugging me and kissing my cheek. Tears are streaming down her face.
“Let’s go see this sicko get his,” I tell them as we get in the car.
I check my makeup on the way to the courthouse. There is bound to be a media circus outside of the courtroom. I feel a little faint but wave it off as my nerves getting the best of me. The drive isn’t nearly as long as I had hoped it would be. I’m not sure if I am ready to face Parker yet.
“Are you ready?” Charlie opens my door, escorting me and my mom on each of his arms.
A reporter shoves a microphone in my face. “Mrs. King is it true your husband has an ongoing vendetta with Parker Garrett?”
“No Comment,” Charlie growls, pushing the dickweed out of the way, and we come to face with the man who killed my brother…The man who could be the father of my unborn child as he is lead into the courtroom. Parker locks eyes with me immediately. He has the nerve to wink and smile at me. I look away from him, but I can still feel his eyes lingering on me. Coming here was a bad idea.
Everyone is asked to rise for the judge and then we are seated. The sentencing goes fairly quick. The judge reads Parker’s fate. “In the case of the commonwealth vs. Parker Garrett we the court hereby sentence you to five years in the penitentiary. You will be able to seek parole after you have served two years.”
I knew with his plea deal that this outcome was a possibility, but that doesn’t soften the blow.
Kline and Elizabeth deserve better than this.
Parker brings his cuffed hands to his mouth, and blows me a kiss. I shudder and my stomach churns, the acid burning the walls of my throat.
My family and I are able to have a police escort to our car to keep the media from hounding us. Our attorney will issue a statement on our behalf. Mom and Charlie treat me to dinner. It is nice seeing them.
I can’t believe I just said it is good to see Charlie.
Royce is blowing up my phone. I can’t believe I neglected to call him after we left the courthouse. Everything was so crazy. There were cameras and reporters all over the place.
Royce says that he understands but to please not scare him like that again. My man can’t wait for me to come back home.
All during dinner, I can’t seem to get the smug look Parker had on his face today off of my mind. It made me feel as though he knows my secret.
Mom and Charlie don’t push me to talk about anything. They let me sulk in silence.
We get back to their new apartment and I go into the guest room and collapse on the bed.
My hand instinctively cradles my stomach.
I need to talk to someone about it and there is no better time to call Tiffany. I have put seeing her off long enough, and I could really use one of our talks. I just hope she doesn’t hate me. Even though I was going through a hard time, she lost Kline too. I shouldn’t have treated her so poorly.
Tiffany agrees to meet up with me for lunch before my doctor’s appointment. I am a bit nervous to see her after the way I handled things between us. She has always been a great friend. I know I shouldn’t worry, but telling her my secret will be good practice for when and if I have to tell Royce. We meet up at Healthy Vines. I am hoping their tea will be easy on my upset stomach.
When I arrive at the restaurant Tiffany is waiting for me. She looks really good. She greets me with a hug and we easily fall into conversation as if there hasn’t been a rift separating us for months. It feels like I just talked her last week as opposed to months.
“So you’re married woman now, congrats.” She smiles and I think she really is happy for me. “How are things going? Do you like LA.?”
“LA is different, but good. And Royce is amazing. I know you had reservations about him before, but he is so good to me.” I take a deep breath and say what I have needed to say for some time. “I owe you an apology. When Kline died I was in a bad place and I was so confused about everything and everyone. I didn’t blame you for any of it. It was just easier not to see you.”
“I’m so sorry about Kline. I didn’t mean for anything bad to happen. Kline made it very clear that he wasn’t interested in being my boyfriend anytime soon. He knew I was seeing Jake too. I wish I had never gotten involved with Jake. I had no idea he was working for the mob. He just told me to get your vehicle and meet him at my house. When I got there he said he wanted to treat me to a few days at the casino. I didn’t know he was in on some crazy scheme. I did think it was odd that he wanted me to get your jeep. Then Royce came to talk to me and told me you were in danger, and that if anyone asked I was to say I was you. It was all so strange, and then Kline died. You wouldn’t see me—then you were gone, and now here we are. I have missed you so much.” A few stray tears run down her cheeks.
/> “it’s so good to see you Tiff.” I go over and give her a hug and shed a few tears of my own.
We order our lunch and I tell her my secret. “Tiffany I asked you here today first to apologizer, but also because I could really use a friend, and I need to talk to someone about this so badly. I am freaking out. I think I am pregnant.”
“That’s great right. I mean you said you and Royce are good." She looks at me like she is unsure of why I am freaked out. Her brows are knitted in confusion as she takes a sip from her straw.
“I slept with Parker, and depending on how far I am, this could be his baby.”
Taking my hand Tiffany tries to reassure me that no matter what the results are that I am going to make a great mom. I wish I felt her enthusiasm.
“What if I am carrying the child of my brother’s killer? How will I live with myself? How will I look that child in the eyes and love him or her?” I feel ill again and unable to finish my lunch.