Page 67 of The Final Straw

“Yes.” She pulls out her phone and begins to type.

“I rode with Bre, so I’ll have to get a ride to come for me as well,” I tell the officer.

“Okay. I’ll wait until you’re both picked up and then your friend will be going with me to county.”

Chapter 33

Kipp

Ollie- Bre is being arrested. We were at the mall in Macy’s and Barbi was here. Things got heated and Bre assaulted her.

Ollie- I rode with her and didn’t know who else to message and come get me. I know Grady and Van had things they needed to do today.

Me- What the hell is she thinking? I’m on my way.

I don’t waste any time. Grabbing my wallet and keys from the dish, I rush out the door.

I still don’t know how Jessica managed to get Barbi out on bail. The only thing I can figure is she put the house I bought up as collateral. Regret courses through my veins that I didn’t push to have the house sold and the profits split between us, versus letting her keep it since Barbi was staying with her.

At the time, Barbi was always my first thought, not to mention that I felt guilty about continuing a relationship when I knew I wasn’t in love with Jessica. My therapist told me staying together for the benefit of the child isn’t the best thing to do, and she was right. I just wish I had listened to her sooner.

I get in my car, turn it on, and back out of the driveway, speeding to the mall. Right now, Barbi and Jessica aren’t my problem. The only thing I’m concerned about is making sure Ollie is okay and getting Bre out of this shitshow that my daughter has caused.

My first thought as I drive is to message my husband, but I know I don’t need to be texting and driving, so instead I call him. He needs to know what’s going on. The phone rings once before he picks up and his voice fills the interior of the car through the speakers.

“Hey baby, missing me already?”

God, he sounds delicious.

“I am, but that’s not why I’m calling. Ollie just texted me. She and Bre were at the mall and my wonderful daughter showed up and started harassing them. I guess Bre had enough and put hands on her. Now she’s being arrested and Ollie’s stranded.”

“I just finished my meeting. I can head there now.”

“No, baby, you don’t need to. I'll get Ollie and see what’s going on. Can you call Van? I know he’s meeting with the DA this morning and this might help with getting him a restraining order. It’s clear my daughter is unhinged.”

“I can do that and I’ll call our attorney and have him head to the police station and help Bre.”

“Fuck, I didn’t even think of that. I should’ve called him first.”

I grip the steering wheel, my knuckles white. Not only has my daughter committed a heinous sex crime, she hurt Ollie, the sweetest soul I’ve ever met, and now she’s affected Bre’s life. An assault charge could impact her life greatly. But not once did contacting our attorney cross my mind.

“It’s okay. Barbi has you so messed up, and your mind was on our girl. I would’ve forgotten too.”

“When you talk to Van, can you reassure him this isn’t his fault? He’s going to panic, and he doesn’t need to. This is just another case of my daughter being an entitled, spoiled brat. But she’s my daughter, so hearing she’s caused more trouble may be better coming from you than me.”

“I will. Go take care of our girl and I’ll see you at home.”

We hang up and my fingers anxiously tap the steering wheel as I hit another red light. It seems the world is trying to keep me from getting to my woman.

I finally get to the mall and pull into the first empty spot I find, not even caring how far I have to walk to get inside. It’s on the side of the mall Macy’s is on and that’s good enough.

I head straight inside Macy’s, going to the first cash register I find and asking for the manager. The young girl at the register picks up her phone and places a call. She’s only on it a moment before hanging up and letting me know he’s on his way.

An older, overweight man heads our way, a determined look on his face.

“How can I help you, sir?” He places his hands on his hips as he stops in front of me.

“Yes, my daughter was assaulted, and I wanted to make sure she’s okay.”

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