Page 7 of Real Sexy
“I’m thinking you already know you don’t want to be spending any more nights in jail.”
Somehow his quiet question made the shame more acute than a tirade would have.“No, sir.”
“Then use your head, Boone.The Lord has bigger plans for you than this, so don’t prove him wrong.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Apologize to your mama when you get inside.She’s been worried sick about you.”
“Yes, sir.”Guilt flooded me next.
After I tromped into the house and apologized to Ma, that was the end of it.My parents never spoke of it again.Never took me to task.Somehow, they knew that the ass-ripping I was giving myself was worse than any they could deliver.They were right, as my folks usually are.
As I lean up against the cool concrete wall of this cell, my hat pulled down low, all I can think about is how deep this is gonna cut Ma when she hears it.She’ll know it’s not true because I’d never hit a woman, but some people in our small town won’t be so kind about it.
She’s been a target more than once because of my antics, and that’s part of the reason I’ve tried to clean up my act.
I can imagine those catty women whispering about it behind her back.She’ll say she doesn’t care, but I still hate that I put her in this position, especially over something I clearly didn’t do.
This is so insane, I’m still reeling from the charges.
It isn’t the first time someone has accused me of something, thinking I would be an easy target more likely to pay them off than create a big stink that could affect my reputation, but those people don’t know me.
I’ve shown up at more than one person’s house or apartment, asking them to explain how some of the stuff they’ve accused me of could have happened.I always make sure it’s recorded too, just so I have something to show the cops.Turns out that a lot of people who think they’re going to get rich quick off me don’t have the balls to lie to my face.I’m hoping like hell this is going to be the same kind of situation.
The media is going to crucify me if I can’t get Brandy to drop the charges and issue a public statement pretty fucking quick.Even then, it might already be too late.Regardless, I’ll be vindicated.I’d never put my hands on a woman in anger, and that lying bitch knows it’s true.
I don’t care that she’s Ripley’s cousin; she’s going down for filing a false police report at the very least.I have a hard time believing Ripley will argue with that, because from what I’ve seen, Brandy sure doesn’t treat her like any kind of family I’ve ever had.
And fuck,Ripley.She’s stuck at my place, not sure what the hell is going on.I feel like shit that I couldn’t take the time to explain, but I wasn’t about to drag her outside with the cops and let some asshole with a long lens get a picture of her caught up in this mess.Those frigging paparazzi are like some unholy combination of cockroach and vulture lately.Scuttling out of nowhere and picking at the bones until there’s nothing left.
Like I told Ripley, my privacy is what I miss the most, and I miss it even more now that she’s in my life.
If she’s in my life much longer.
No, there’s no way she’ll believe Brandy’s accusation.
But it’s Brandy’s word against mine, and she’s the one with the wicked shiner, according to the pictures the cops shoved in my face.
They didn’t care that I said I didn’t touch her, just told me to tell it to the judge.They were the second type of cop you run into in Nashville.Type one being the kind who will usually let things slide if you’re a celebrity.Type two is the hard-ass who wants to make sure you’re not getting any special treatment at all due to your status.I don’t usually care either way, but this time, it’s bullshit.
“Thrasher, you’re sprung,” a guard’s voice calls out as he walks down the hall to slide the cell door open.
Thank fuck.
I don’t know what strings my agent and my lawyer had to pull, and I don’t care how much it cost me, but I’m glad to be walking out of here.
At least I am until I hit the lobby and see the cameras flashing in the direction of the woman waiting for me.As I step through the door, she runs and throws herself into my arms.
“I came as fast as I could, baby.Everything’s going to be just fine now.”
I’m stunned and motionless as Amber plants her lips on mine.
5
Ripley
No.Way.In.Hell.
