Page 46 of Spiteful Lies

“Are you okay?” Nova’s fingers graze mine.

I nod as we stare at a monitor. “Thanks for coming.” The courtroom is almost empty as people start to drift in and take their seats. The setup looks similar to what one would expect to see on TV. And in an odd way, I feel like I’m watching something made up, and I wish to God it was.

“I should’ve called,” she says, “but you know, things got funny.”

Grinning, I bow my head. “Yeah, I do know. Shit’s been unreal.” I check if anyone else is in the room, but it’s only us. I can be real with her. “I’m really sorry I pulled back, but I thought you and I were through.”

Nova smirks. “Astrid, we can go years without talking, and the minute we see each other, we’re close again. Things have changed between us, but that doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. When school is over, we’ll really live our lives.”

For a moment, I’m quiet, and I wish I could talk to her about the boys. Pierce is scrolling through his phone, but I know he’s paying attention to everything that is going on.

Nova continues, “When you get a chance, come down to the gym. You’re paying the rent.”

Smiling, I shake my head. “How did you guys pull that off?”

“Grinder went legit. That’s how,” she says, “We turned it into a boxing gym. And the rent is covered until the end of the year, but we got to bust ass to keep it going. But we’re doing pretty well. Derick is teaching ladies kick-boxing.”

“No more betting?” I whisper,

Nova purses her lips together. “We went straight, not insane.”

The screen flickers, and Pierce sits up in his chair as I straighten my back. Our gazes lock on the wide screen, and I hold my breath, hoping that the first face I see won’t be Ted Leister’s. It’s the judge, and Charlotte is sitting beside her, being sworn in.

She’s wearing a navy suit reminiscent of our school uniforms, but she doesn’t look like a schoolgirl. Her long hair is swept up, and her makeup is subdued. If I squint hard enough, she looks almost like Rawlins. But more than that, she looks like an adult who’s had enough.

“I would like to read a statement that was told to me by my sister. It is what she experienced at the hands of Ted Leister and one of his associates, as related to me.”

Cool and calm, Charlotte reads from the paper in a strong voice as she gazes at the people present in the courtroom. She never smiles or giggles nervously as she reads an edited version of my ordeal. Charlotte tells the truth without faltering and relates to the court how I was sexually assaulted by a man that has no one’s respect.

Nova places her hand on my knee, which I didn’t realize was bouncing. I try to relax by leaning back in the chair. I focus on the calm expression on Charlotte’s face as she begins to describe how I was doped up and lay helpless on the bar. I grip the arms of the chair until one of my nails breaks. It’s too much for me. Each word she says results in an image flashing in my mind of what that monster did to me.

I let out a small whimper, and Pierce stands, turning off the monitor.

“No, turn it back on,” I tell him harshly.“I have to see it. I can’t let him win. Ever.”

Pierce holds my shoulders. “Astrid, you’re here in court to give additional testimony if the legal team needs it. And I know you’ll give it. It took a lot to come forward and to even be in the same building as that twisted man. Charlotte’s got your back. Nobody thinks you’re weak because you’re upset. You have a right to be upset.” He sits back down, wrapping an arm around me as Nova holds my hand.

“So that’s Charlotte,” says Nova lightly, “She sort of looks the way I expected.”

I wipe my eyes and look at her. “And how’s that?”

“Rich, white, and blonde.” Nova grins. “But she has her shit together. Astrid, I like your sister. She looked out for you when I wasn’t around.”

“Thank you for coming with me, Nova.” I smile at Pierce. “And you too.”

“Hey, I have to earn some points away from Wyatt.”

I shove his shoulder, and he grabs it as if it hurts. “It’s incredible how much I used to hate you.”

“And now you can’t keep your hands off me.” He winks. “You never could. Love and hate are opposite sides of the same coin. Both are a strong visceral feeling,” he looks at me, “I guess I landed on my feet today.”

I shove him again as Nova scoffs. We stop joking around quickly as a bailiff walks into the room. The woman looks like she’s in her thirties and hasn’t smiled a day in her life. I freeze as she walks toward the monitor. Nova stands to stop her.

“We turned it off, ‘‘ Nova explains. “It was too intense.”

The bailiff nods. “Charlotte Howland is done with her testimony. The judge would like to see you in his chambers.”

I am sworn in, and then I swear again that every word spoken by Charlotte is true. Pierce is brought into the chambers and tells what happened after being sworn in. The judge even speaks to Nova, and she describes how the Pit was a fight club. Ted Leister brought in the sex workers. Nova tells the judge to look up her story if she doubts it. She was charged with running an illegal gambling establishment. The judge does look it up and asks Nova if she’ll make a sworn statement. She only agrees to do it if she receives immunity. There’s no decision yet if Leister will stand trial. It no longer matters what happens in court. The press has already declared him guilty.

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