Page 64 of With Wine Comes War

I grabbed both their hands to try and get them to relax. “I have an amazing legal team and the best support system a person in my position could ever ask for, so this week I’ll have a better idea of what’s going to happen in there. Plus, the guys put a sleepover together for me this Friday with the kids. They’re staying Friday night and all-day Saturday, so nothing in this world will be bothering me then.” I didn’t think talking about the Roman and Luke incident on top of all this was such a good idea. I hope they didn’t push it further.

The girls each told me they loved me, and they were there for me no matter what. After that deep talk, we ordered brunch and relived the events of last night while laughing uncontrollably.

***

ROMAN

Harrison lived in a trendy shotgun style house overlooking the river. It was a new development that we helped build. It was three stories with a balcony on every floor. It had three bedrooms, each withtheir own bathroom. One floor was all the kitchen and living room with a half bath. That’s the floor we spent the most time on.

His style was more lived in than mine. He liked lots of color, but it was more sports and music memorabilia than anything. I mean, I liked sports too, but I didn’t want to decorate my house with team merch, and I definitely didn’t know stats the way he did.

I called before I came over in case Amelia was there. Her little white Mercedes convertible was in the driveway. Harrison’s big ass jacked up pickup truck must’ve been in the garage. Amelia answered the door.

“Hey Roman, where’s Alex?” Amelia looked behind me and moved out of the way to let me in.

“She’s at brunch with Abby and Maggie.”

“Oh, that sounds nice. We just made brunch ourselves. Would you care for some food and a mimosa?”

“Food, yes. Do you have any coffee?” I followed her to the kitchen.

“Coming right up. Damn I feel like I’m at work.” She chuckled as she looked back over her shoulder.

“I can get it myself, you know. Where’s Harrison?” I looked around and saw a lot of things that didn’t look like Harrison’s style.

“Shower.” She pointed upstairs.

“What’s up with you today? Everything ok after last night?” She was casually talking while pouring me some coffee and making a plate with some eggs and toast for me.

“You know, it really is. I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve said that, but things are going really well. I’m not trying to jinx it.” I don’t know if she could spot a lie like Alex could, but I didn’t need to explain anything to her.

She nodded with a smile and said, “I bet.” I ignored the inflection in her voice that would suggest she may not believe me either.

After I finished eating, we took our drinks out on the balcony and waited for Harrison.

“This is me being nosy and it’s none of my business, but do you and Harrison live together?” I arched an eyebrow and tried to read her expression before she answered. She was so private I didn’t think she’d just come right out and tell me. If so, it would explain why she used Harrison’s code for my elevator access and the woman’s voice I heard in the background over the phone that morning after Alex woke up in the hospital.

“Yes, you are being nosy.” She looked out over the river view not making eye contact.

“Ok, none of my business, I won’t ask again.”I don’t need to. I already have my answer.

Harrison came out at the end of that conversation and said, “Despite it being none of your business, yes, we are living together now.”

Confirmed.

“Ok, good. Maybe you’ll get to meetings on time now.”

He laughed but said, “Yeah, doubt that.”

As soon as Amelia went back inside, Harrison asked, “Tell me, man, how is everyone with the court hearing coming up? I mean you all were on edge at the club last night.”

“I don’t know. This case seems like it’s cut and dry, but Alex seems apprehensive about something, and I can’t figure it out.” I paused before I got into it with him about the ex-husband. “Luke was a separate situation.”

“What’s she so worried about? That dude wouldn’t do anything stupid like coming after her, would he?” I shook my head while shrugging my shoulders.

“I don’t know what he’s capable of. It went from grabbing her ass calling her names, to drugging and attempted rape. I mean, that escalated pretty quick.”

“Yeah, sounds really fucked up for sure. You be careful with all this, ok? I’ll be in that courtroom with you. I’m pretty sure mom and dad are too.” That’s all she needed was everyone hearing all the sordid details.

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