Page 2 of As the Rain Falls
He sighs. “Let’s hope you do.”
The clock hits eleven thirty.Mr. Lin opens the files. I drink more water and fix my hair again like it’s a ritual.The humidity is making my hair look too messy now. I realize just how stressful this is.
Ten minutes later, Beckett finally walks in.
My heart speeds as I watch him walk from the main hall to the left side of the room. He is followed by another police officer, his father, and Mr. Lin’s assistant, Tamara Lucas.The handcuffs are a procedure, I know they are, but it still hurts to watch him going through this.
Besides, I haven’t seen my boyfriend in nearly a week and I really miss him. But I can’t waste any more time thinking about how little choices we’ve had so far. It’ll only make me resentful.
The police officer frees him, and Beckett immediately tries to loosen up his black necktie. I bet Mr. Lin made him wear it because he doesn’t like fancy attire.
I wet my lips nervously, tapping my fingers against the stand. Beckett reorganizes the papers around him methodically as he speaks to his father, and I crack my knuckles anticipating the moment when he finally notices me.
Gregory Evans is blocking his vision from the other side of the room in an almost protective way. At first glance, it almost seems like he cares about his only son, but I know the truth. Being here feels like watching a poker game, and as cruel as it may sound, everybody has a hand to play.
Especially him.
I take a deep breath and clear my throat, and as if compelled by the gods above, Beckett’s head snaps forward and towards me. I raise my gaze to look at him again instinctively, right on time to catch the way his blue eyes soften as they meet the green in mine.
For a second that feels endless, the world stops spinning.My mind blocks every other outside noise.Nothing else matters.
This man saved my life, and it’s all I can think about. He did it all for me, because of me, and for the tiniest moment, this is all I can care about too. I don’t think there are enough sacrificesleft in me to afford repaying him.I love him so much it hurts to breathe.
As the thought of losing him again crosses my mind, Beckett makes a silly face to try to make me laugh. Knowing the jury is only a few feet away, I try very hard not to. It’s hard though, because he can be quite expressive when he wants to be.
I press my hand against my chest, feeling the steadiness of my heartbeat. It’s strong and unwavering, and totally his. He mimics my move like it’s our secret language before coughing discreetly and dropping his gaze down to the floor.
“We’ll be fine,” I whisper, knowing he won’t hear it.
It’s the thought that counts, anyway.
***
You swear you won’t lie on the stand, some of us even swear it on the Bible, but in reality, there’s always some concealment of the truth.
I was briefed day and night about this.I know how to play the game better than anyone else does.I even like to think Lucia Evans would be proud of me. I am about to save her brother one lie at a time.
But what does it take to tell a good lie?
According to Mr. Lin, a portion of the truth.
“Where were you the night of the accident again?”
“Mateo’s apartment with my friends.”
“Which friends?”
“Kayla, Angelina, Antony, and Mateo, of course. Fernanda also was there. She is Mateo’s oldest sister.”
“And Mr. Evans?”
“And Beckett, yes.”
“How would you describe your relationship with Mr. Evans?”
I don’t hesitate.
“We’re close.”
