Page 39 of Buddy System

Chapter

Twenty-Nine

Levi

I can’t believeany of this. I’m utterly speechless as I see Skyler being driven away in the deputy’s vehicle, and in cuffs, no less. We’re trained soldiers, and we’re used to combat situations—and sadly Skyler and I have had to take some lives. But it’s a hideous feeling even when the person who is maimed or dies is your mortal enemy who wanted to kill you first. It’s the kind of memory you bury in the deepest, darkest recesses of your brain and hopefully never revisit again.

But Skyler being vindictive enough to beat up a gossipy old shrew? Never. She may have been obnoxious, but no one deserves to be thrashed for that. There must be a terrible person at large in this town. Is Honeybee Hollow deceptively tranquil but actually harboring a madman? As I was leaving to get Skyler some clothes, I overheard the deputy say Mrs. Henshaw was in a bad way. I know Sky wouldn’t have wished that on anyone.

Still…I hate that I’m even thinking this. I did call Skyler from the bar when I knew I’d be extra late coming home, and he didn’t answer me. So I sent a text to let him know. I didn’t evenremember it when I got here because I was so excited about how well it had gone with the band. Maybe he was in the bathroom or had his music up too loud and missed the call. I don’t know…No! He couldn’t have left and hurt an old lady. It’s just not in his nature. I banish any doubt right then and there. He would never!

I do as Skyler asked and immediately call Mike Colfax. With a shaking voice, I try to the best of my ability to explain what happened, and I ask if he can get Skyler a lawyer. His father is justifiably outraged and swears he’ll take care of things. “Skyler should have sued that old biddy for slander when she first started spreading those awful rumors about him,” he grumbles into the phone.

“Yes, sir,” I reply, but I know Skyler would never have sued her. He expected her story to blow over.

Obviously not paying much attention to me, he continues, “And Sheriff Hansen isn’t much better for believing that crap about my son. He has so little to do, he’s probably overly excited about having a crime to handle before he retires. I’ll make that call right now, Levi. Thanks for alerting me. Take care, son. We’ll get this fixed.”

Then I call the one person I need now as much as air to breathe—Brooke. I can barely choke out the words, “Come home, Brooke. I need you. Skyler’s been arrested!”

Naturally, Brooke is flabbergasted with my news, so I try to make the situation sound better by explaining that Skyler’s dad is getting a lawyer, and hopefully, he can get him out quickly on bail. I’m sadly ill-informed about people getting arrested for assault—or pretty much for anything. All I know is that I’m spiraling, and unless I can get a grip soon, I won’t be any good to myself or anyone else. I’m scared and angry and feel like dogshit. What started out a great day has devolved into crap.

I decide to clean up the kitchen and discover by the smell that someone was sick in the sink. Poor Skyler. He tried to clean itup, but he missed a bit. At least this gives me something to do. I don’t know how long it will take Brooke to get here, and I don’t know if I can do anything for Skyler if I go sit in the sheriff’s office and try to argue his case. I don’t want to make anything worse. I just fucking don’t know what to do.

My dilemma is somewhat handled when, about twenty-five minutes after Deputy Ogden hauled Skyler away, some other officers show up with a warrant to search the house. Nothing will come of me being anything other than a hundred percent cooperative, so I let them in and resolve to answer any questions they may have. They don’t have many. I also have no idea what they’re looking for.

They search all over the ground floor, including the unmade bed that we vacated not too long ago. I’m sorry I hadn’t thought to straighten up because I don’t like the smirks I get when they realize there is just one messed-up bed that clearly accommodated two people. Closed-minded assholes. When they see women’s clothing in the closet, they probably decide one of us is a cross-dresser to boot. I don’t bother to comment when they squint at me.

They tromp around upstairs a while, and I don’t want to risk making my hip hurt more, so I don’t follow them. When they come right back down quickly, I tell them, “You missed the important part. Skyler was upstairs painting for hours last night on the third floor in his studio. My hunch is strong that you’ll find both a semi-dry painting and some color splotches that match the stains on his shorts he left here wearing.” And I can’t help but add sarcastically, “You’re welcome.”

They stomp away, clomping up the stairs to the attic. I still can’t imagine what they think they’ll find unless something was stolen from Mrs. Henshaw when she was beaten. I wonder too what might prompt someone to break in and fight with her. I have so many questions. I don’t even know if it was a break-in.

Once they finally leave—telling me not to skip town—I proceed to start cleaning up the bedroom and try not to get too upset. It’s not working. I have too much anger and too much quiet. But then Sky’s dad calls to tell me they have a bail hearing set for an hour from now. “Want me to pick you up, son?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll be ready right away,” I tell him. Skyler needs to see that I support him.

What a fucking nightmare.Skyler and I finally get home around the same time Brooke shows up. He’s met with his lawyer—a guy named Hamilton—and posted bail to the tune of $5,000. I think that’s the maximum they could ask for, so of course they gave him that. It turns out that in Kentucky, the sentence for assault is ten to twenty years with a $10,000 fine!

Skyler’s lawyer, however, has taken photos of Skyler’s hands, showing that there is no bruising or damaged skin that would be consistent with a severe beating as described by Mrs. Henshaw. We haven’t seen her to determine for ourselves what kind of shape she’s in, but his lawyer asked for a complete account of her injuries, including photographs. The whole thing seems like someone is trying to frame Skyler for something he couldn’t have possibly done—even if he didn’t answer my call. I’m keeping silent about that. They don’t need any more fuel for their ridiculous charges.

Skyler has been morose ever since I first saw him in the courthouse. Getting out of cuffs didn’t even do much to raise his spirits, and he was pretty silent on the way home. Now that we’re here with Brooke, I thought he might cheer up a little, but all he said was, “I’m going to go take a shower.”

“I’m sure Skyler’s starving by now, babe. We should make some supper,” I say to Brooke. “I can probably grill something if you want to put a salad together.”

When Skyler returns to the kitchen with wet hair and fresh clothes, we’re both in the throes of cooking. “Thanks, guys. I could go for a beer. Anyone else want one?” he asks.

Brooke smiles and suggests, “Here, have some cheese and crackers before you drink on an empty stomach.” She pushes a tray toward him on the counter. I love that she’s taking care of him. “You know, Skyler, we believe you,” she tells him and walks around the counter to wrap her arms around him in a warm embrace. My heart gives a little jolt…and so does something in my pants. What is it about seeing the two of them together that gets me so worked up? He buries his face in her neck and breathes in the sweet smell of her. Like a moth to a flame, I scoot over and join the group hug, wrapping my arms around both of them. I can feel Skyler giving a big sigh, and his muscles relax a bit.

“After we eat, I think we need to…you know…” I suggest. I don’t know what to call it. Fucking? Making love? Having extracurricular activities? “Cheer up with some fun in the bedroom.”

Brooke makes up my mind when she says, “Yes, I desperately need to make love to both of you. I missed you so much while I was gone. I want to show you how badly.”

“Works for me,” Skyler says with a groan.

“You need to eat first,” Brooke says with finality as she hands him a cheese-topped cracker. “And I have a special idea for later.”

“Yes ma’am.” He winks at her, and arousal zips through me like a lightning rod. At least he seems to be relaxing.

Chapter

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