Page 36 of Clap Back (Carter Brothers)

But now, hours later, the pain meds were wearing off.

Plus, I was angry from the visit with the lawyer.

I would not have been good company tonight, that was for sure.

“I’m curious. What else did the lawyer have to say?” Dorsey asked. “Does she think you have a case?”

“She thinks I could have one if Dad wasn’t who he is.” I sighed. “She said that we could definitely try to bring a case, and it’s a strong one, but since Dad knows everyone in the city and surrounding areas, it might be impossible to find a judge willing to try the case because they want to keep Dad in their good graces.”

“Oh, that’s just fantastic,” Dorsey said. “So pretty much he’s going to get away with it?”

I rubbed at my cheeks. “Maybe I’ll just move locations.”

“You signed a three-year lease last month,” Dorsey said.

Dorsey was right, of course.

I had.

I shouldn’t have, though.

I’d been more than aware of the issues I’d been having when it came to Dad, and the city.

Sure, I could’ve moved.

But I was close as fuck to all the popular downtown retailers, and my rent was amazing.

I hadn’t wanted to leave.

But now I may not have a choice…

“I know,” I admitted. “Let’s just say I have no idea what I’m going to do.”

“I freakin’ hate him,” she said. “I hate him so much.”

“You and me both, sis,” I said. “How’s work going?”

Dorsey was a third-grade teacher for Dallas ISD. She’d been working there for four years now and loved it.

“The classroom is ready, but I’m not,” she admitted. “I love summer so much.”

I snickered. “You’ve just had two months off.”

“I know, and it wasn’t enough. I enjoyed the heck out of my vacation.”

“I think that’s fairly normal to love being off.” I giggled. “What’s your plan? Do you still want me to come help hang up the posters with you?”

“About that,” she said. “I had an unexpected visitor. Remember Mr. Freely?”

Mr. Freely used to be her switch teacher. When he’d moved away last year for a year abroad, Dorsey had been devastated.

“I do,” I answered.

Secretly, I thought Dorsey had a crush on the older man.

Not that she’d ever get the nerve to pursue anything with him.

Dad and Scott hadn’t focused their sights on just me, after all.

---