Page 68 of The Final Straw

Yeah, it’s a bit of a lie. Barbi was assaulted, but I’m not here for her. Somehow, I don’t think telling him that my girlfriend's best friend is being detained for assaulting my daughter would get me back there to her. If anything, it would get me a side eye and maybe even an escort right out of the front door. Even I think it sounds like some shit you’d find on an episode of Jerry Springer.

“Yes, sir, she’s in the back. Please, follow me.” He turns and heads back in the direction he came from and I fall in step behind him.

He opens a door that takes us from the store floor to a long hallway. At the end, I see another door that has a security guard and a police officer standing outside of it. The manager nods his head in a greeting as their voices halt from the conversation they are having.

“This is the father of the young woman who was assaulted.”

The officer grips his radio and says something. A garbled voice responds, but I can’t make out what was said. The officer opens the door to the room and we step inside.

Barbi’s back is to me, and she’s vividly flailing her arms in the air as she screams at the security guard and the two ladies. Bre sits in a chair with her hands cuffed and has a smug look on her face. Ollie is bent over, whispering in her ear. The only one so far to catch sight of me is Bre.

I clear my throat, and Barbi stops her squawking long enough to turn and notice me.

“Daddy!” she wails. “How did you know?” She’s holding an ice pack to her face, moving as she puts on the performance of her life, sobbing, now that she has me as an audience. Her eye is turning an awful shade of black and blue and there is some dried blood around her nose.

My sweet Ollie has a look of concern on her face as Barbi rushes toward me, her arms open as if she wants a hug. Does Ollie think I’m going to change who I’m here for now that I’ve seen my daughter’s face? Fat chance in hell.

I ignore Barbi, taking hold of her shoulders and pushing her to the side, heading straight to Ollie, cupping her face in my hands.

“Are you okay?” I place a gentle kiss on her lips.

“I'm fine, just shaken up and worried about what’s going to happen to Bre for standing up for me.” I pull her close to me, slipping my arms around her. “But I’m not going to lie. I’m glad Bre got some hits on her,” she whispers, her voice muffled by my chest as I let a soft chuckle escape my lips.

I release Ollie, needing to deal with my spoiled brat of a daughter. Stepping over to her, I try to contain my anger. “What have you done?” I scold her.

“Me! What are you doing? I’m your daughter and you rush in here and kiss that… that… that… toad! What would Grady think about you being with someone else, especially a woman?”

“First of all, watch your mouth, young lady, when you speak to me or about the woman I’m with. Second, Grady is happy I’m here taking care and making sure our girlfriend is okay. You, on the other hand, Barbi, are out of control. What are you doing shopping at the mall when you are out on bond? You should be at home thinking about what you did.”

“And what did I do? Oh, that’s right. I had sex with her boyfriend because she wasn’t satisfying him. Then when she finds out, he goes and cries rape. Like a woman could ever rape a man. So, I’m here because I need to get a damn suit to wear to court.”

“You know as well as I do that the story you are trying to spin is not how it happened. And instead of getting an outfit and thinking about the error in your actions, you decide to provoke a fight.”

“I didn’t do anything, Daddy. They started it. Olivia’s jealous that Van wanted me and not her. She’s always been jealous of me. Look how easily she wormed her way into your bed. She’s nothing but a whore.”

“I’d watch how you talk about her. I won’t tolerate it any longer. And how do you have money for a new outfit after your bail was paid?”

“Mom paid my bail and I’m paying for it with my credit card.” She smiles wickedly.

“Oh, did you get one on your own? Because I had your card canceled weeks ago, after our meal together. Time to grow up, Barbi.” The smile fades from her face, replaced with one of shock.

She starts screaming, but I ignore her, wrapping my arm around Ollie, and leading her toward the officer.

“Is she free to go?” I ask, nodding at Ollie.

“Yes, we have her statement, so she is free to go. She may be contacted later about the case.”

“And what of her friend here, Bre?”

“She’s being taken into custody and will be booked at county.”

“Bre, I’ve already talked to Grady, and our lawyer will be meeting you at the jail. We told him to do whatever it takes to get you out and we’ll pay for everything.”

“You’ll pay to get the skank out that assaulted me, but not your own flesh and blood. Mom had to put up the house,” Barbi whines, but I tune her out. I’m over her and her childish behavior. I’ve coddled her for way too long and it’s time she grows up.

Bre just smiles and shrugs. “It was worth it.” The cops lead her down the hallway and Ollie and I follow, parting ways in the parking lot.

Chapter 34

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