Page 153 of Forgotten Prejudice

“Mr. Rogers is in no state to testify,” Jones mumbled when Soren stepped closer to the judge.

“With all due respect, Your Honor, Jones is lying. Mr. Rogers is more than capable of testifying, and more than that, he wants to do it. As a matter of fact, I have a signed statement from him in which he states that he wants to testify at this very trial.” He then narrowed his eyes at Jones. “Perhaps you missed that day in law school, but isn’t it illegal to forbid the victim from giving their testimony?”

They exchanged a few more heated arguments before the judge slammed the gavel on the desk, asking for order in her court.

“Very well,” she coughed, fixing her glasses to sit better on her nose. “Since this is indeed an unusual circumstance, I will allow it. But since this case has already gone on long enough, I ask that you make every effort to have Mr. Rogers come to court this afternoon to give his testimony. I will not tolerate any delays.” With that, she dismissed the court for a recess and stated that we would reconvene at noon. Shocked, we all stayed seated in our chairs while chaos erupted around us. This might have changed everything.

While waiting for the hearing to reconvene, the guys decided to find somewhere to eat and pass the time. Too nervous to go anywhere, I told them I’d stay here but urged them to go and eat. As much as I was glad to see Andrei, Levi, and Jess giving their full support to Diesel, I didn’t love how the trial affected their lives. They were all young men at the most exciting times of their lives. The last thing they needed to do was waste their days in court halls, not to mention the memories it might bring back. But, thankfully, they were all doing fine. Andrei loved keeping his head in the game, and knowing what was going on gave him the confidence he needed. Jess was brilliantly sweet, and his therapist told me he was doing fine. Levi? Well, he was communicating, which was something.

The main reason I skipped the restaurant and stayed here wasn’t just my anxiety but my eagerness to speak to Soren and learn more about what was happening. Sitting outside the room I believed he was currently in, I waited patiently, my knees bouncing each time the door opened and someone stepped out.

“Want some?”

Turning my head, I saw the bleached-haired guy standing beside my bench while offering me candy.

“No, thank you.”

“Suit yourself.” He shrugged, popped a few into his mouth, and sat beside me.

Something about his odd personality made him feel familiar, even though I couldn’t pinpoint what it was exactly.

“So, how you doing?” he asked after I hoped he’d stay quiet.

“I don’t think I know your name,” I said instead of answering his question. It wasn’t like he actually cared.

“Eiv,” he said between chewing. “I’m working with Soren—”

“I know that.”

He swallowed, then turned to look at me with narrowed eyes. “Why do I feel like you don’t like me?”

I shifted a bit further on the bench. “I don’t know you enough to not like you.”

He snorted and placed the packet of candies beside him before cleaning his palms over his pants.

“You know we used to hook up, yeah?”

My eyes snapped to him, and he immediately smiled.

And he wondered why he wasn’t likable.

“Relax, hon. I said used to.” He nudged my arm with his elbow.

So they’d fucked. I knew it.

“He sure is fun to be with,” he went on while pouting his lips. “But sadly, he’s no longer interested in me.”

“I don’t care.”

“Is that so?” He eyed me. “Sure doesn’t look like it with that pout of yours.”

“How did you two meet?” I asked, mostly to divert the subject away from my obvious jealousy.

“Awww, you really are as cute as he says you are,” he suddenly said, eyes locked with mine. “And as handsome. Although, you’re not my type. Not really.”

He’s so scattered.

“You haven’t answered my question yet.”