Page 48 of Fighting Jacob

“Just a statement?” I double-check. I don't want to be blindsided for the second time today.

“Yes. It will only be used as evidence to assist in Jacob’s case.”

My heart drums out a lively tune as I nod. "Okay. I can do that."

For the next hour, I draft a statement on what occurred earlier today at Mavericks under the pretext it will only be used in Jacob’s case. Ryan is hoping to use my statement as evidence as to why Jacob attacked Callum with just cause. If the DA accepts our statement, Jacob’s charges may be downgraded to assault and battery instead of attempted murder.

Just hearing how serious Jacob's charges are cracked my heart. Jacob is the kindest, gentlest guy I've ever met. He's a gentle giant who's now facing years in prison because of me. He must regret the day he offered a stranger a ride home.

I sign the bottom of my statement and date it before raising my eyes to Ryan. “Is that it?”

He nods. “Yes. Thank you.” He guides me to the door and down the hall. “If you change your mind about charging Callum, my number is on here. Use it any time, day or night.” When he hands me his business card, I accept it, even knowing I have no intention of using it. “Even without pressing charges, the restraining order is still valid. If Callum comes near you, call me.”

I nod before walking out the large double glass doors of Ravenshoe PD. Just as I’m about to gallop down the stairs, I hear Maggie shouting my name. She’s leaning against the wall, smoking a cigarette, the shudder of her hands visible from a distance. I had no clue she smoked. If her screwed-up expression when she puffs down the last half of her cigarette is anything to go by, neither did her lungs.

After stubbing out her smoke, she strolls my way. Her eyes are full of tears, and her lips are twitching. “I'm sorry I broke my promise. I just didn't know any other way to help Jacob.”

“It’s fine; don’t worry about it.” I’m accustomed to people not keeping their promises, so what’s another name on an already long list?

The composure I’m struggling to maintain nearly raptures when Maggie mutters, “He loves you, Lola. That’s why he responded like he did.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, warning my voice it better not crack. “I know.” That’s why I have to stay far away from him. “Can you find someone to cover my shifts?”

Maggie steps back, her brow inching up in concern. “For how long?”

I give her a tight smile before starting my gallop down the stairs again. “Forever.”

I race down the cracked sidewalk, not once looking back on what will be my old life.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jacob

My eyes float up from the cuff circling my wrists when a door creaks. Ryan is heading my way. His shoulders are still slumped, but they’re not as low as earlier.

“Did Noah get out okay?”

He sits on a hard steel chair across from me before jerking up his chin. “Yeah, the neighbor who called in the disturbance issued a statement saying he was a bystander. He left around an hour ago, saying he’ll be back as soon as he gets you a lawyer.”

He spreads his knees to the width of his shoulders before leaning forward to undo my cuffs. When they’re removed, I rotate my wrists in a circular motion to loosen them. The officer who brought me in tightened them to the point they pinched my skin.

After dumping my cuffs in a briefcase balancing on the desk separating us, Ryan returns his eyes to me. “Are you sure you don’t want me to call someone? Your dad or brother?”

“Nah, I’m good.” The longer I keep this secret, the better for all involved.

I'm still struggling to understand why I reacted so poorly today. It's pretty scary realizing you can kill someone with your bare hands. If Noah hadn't dragged me off Callum, I'm confident that would have been the result, so not only am I grateful Noah avoided charges, I'll forever be in his debt for pulling me off him.

Noticing the low hang of my brow, Ryan says, “Don’t beat yourself up, Jacob. Most guys would have responded the same way.”

This is why I like Ryan. He looks past what others believe to form his own opinion.

Our heads shift to the door in sync when a tap sounds into the room. The officer who cuffed me to the table is standing outside, requesting to speak with Ryan. They chat for a few minutes, but I don’t hear anything they’re saying because my thoughts are elsewhere. Mainly with Lola, but a small part wonders how I’ll explain what happened to my dad and Hank. Hank said if I ever used my skills outside the cage, I’d be booted from his training schedule. I don’t want that. I love fighting... nearly as much as I love Lola.

I lock my eyes with Ryan when he returns to his seat. “Lola and Maggie issued statements on what happened today.”

“Does that mean Callum has been charged?”

Ryan’s jaw ticks as he shakes his head.

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