Kept

“I don't really know. But I sure as hell hope Monique has some sort of plan.”

Alexis sat on the edge of my bed as I dialed Monique's number. She wasn't trying to be nosey, she was there for support. I sighed as I sat down next to her.

“I heard you're getting a subpoena.”

I closed my eyes. “I figured someone would've told you. What the hell? I thought I was in the clear!”

She paused and then said, “Somebody tipped them off. There's definitely some shady shit going on here. But you're expected to be in court on Wednesday morning.”

“But I haven't even received the paperwork yet. And how am I supposed to get out of class?”

“Hopefully, it'll only be one day. And I wouldn't tell your professors unless you want to say that you're sick. You don't want them or the college sniffing around, too.”

She was right abou

t that.

“So, what do we do now? What's the game plan?”

“I have a prior commitment that I can't get out of today, but we’ll meet tomorrow night before you give your statement, and we’ll go over what you're going to say. Hopefully, it won't be that big of a deal.”

She and I both knew that she was lying. “What about the media? How do I avoid all the questions about why I was with the judge that night?”

“I can't really answer that. But you know the rules. Try to find a way around it, or you'll be in a lot worse trouble than you are right now.”

The rules.

Boston Buyer’s Club Rule #1

Never talk about the club.

“Understood.”

“Perfect. Dress in something professional, but show a little leg on Wednesday. I’ll meet you outside the courthouse. Tomorrow, show up at the club at six o’clock. The Madame and I will go over your statement with you then.”

And then she hung up. The color drained from my face. There was no real plan. I was fucked.

Alexis looked at me, eager for information. “So what did she say? What's your plan of attack?”

I shrugged because I still wasn't really sure. “I don't really know that she has one. Alexis, I think I'm totally screwed.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Yeah, go into my closet and find something professional for me to wear to court on Wednesday. And Monique said I should show a little leg.”

She laughed. “That girl, she's always trying to get it in. No matter where she is.”

I smiled for what felt like the first time in days. “Yeah, she's definitely got that badass, superhot, confident woman thing down.”

Alexis looked back at me from across the room as she walked into my closet. “So do you, Calla. You can beat this, I’m sure of it.”

I was just glad that one of us was.

Seventeen

Monique called me the next afternoon. “Make sure you’re on time tonight.”

“Am I going to keep working?”