Page 112 of Famous Last Words
Andy’s gaze flits between mine before he nods, a small smile tilting his lips. “Okay.”
I watch on as the officer leads Andy through the security door, the two of them disappearing. With a heavy sigh, I glance around, left alone with nothing but my own mind racking itself, accompanied by the sound of the handcuffed woman shouting the words to an ABBA song.
Vera: I beg your finest pardon?
Hannah: What do you mean he had drugs??
Vera: He didn’t seem high before you guys left.
Hannah: Are you ok?
Vera: What’s going on? Any update?
Hannah: Do you want me to come down there? Bring coffee? Snacks? Sanitizer?
I heave a sigh reading the group chat. It’s almost three a.m. and there’s still no word. Raymond, Robbie’s lawyer, arrived about an hour ago, carrying a briefcase and wearing a winter coat over a pair of flannel pajamas. He was escorted straight through, but there’s been no movement since.
Me: No, it’s okay. I’m fine. No news yet. I’ll keep you guys posted as soon as I hear anything.
Vera: Ok… have you seen the talk online?
Me: I saw a video. Someone in the bar must have filmed it.
Hannah: People are fucking snakes.
Vera: It’s all over TikTok.
With dread bubbling in the pit of my belly, I scroll to the app and search Robbie Mason. And, of course, the search result returns with video after video of that same footage. I click on the first one, holding my breath when I see the caption.
Hockey’s bad boy Robbie Mason loses his cool in NYC bar.
I watch on as Robbie throws that asshole down onto the table, causing glasses and bottles to go flying. It’s a snippet of what really happened, but it’s not good. It looks like Robbie started it, an unprovoked assault. And the comments make it look even worse.
@User9037468820000: Asshole needs to be released from the league and never allowed to play again. What example is this setting for the kids who look up to him?
@RossSimpson79: Typical Robbie Mason behavior.
@HockeyFan773820: Wouldn’t expect anything less from the guy who broke his own teammate’s jaw.
@ThunderFan1988: We don’t want him!
@NYCThunder22: He looks crazed.
@LionsFanTom77: Probably strung out on drugs.
It’s taking all I have not to comment. I was there. I know what really happened. He was defending me. That asshole got what he deserved; he sexually assaulted me. But I know if I comment, it will only make things worse, so I close out of the app and stare up at the clock up on the wall, watching the seconds tick by so slow they may as well be going backwards.
I’m not sure how many minutes have passed. It could be two. It could be ninety. But when the door opens with a shrill beep, I’m ripped from my daze, my heart stopping when I see Andy walk out. When I notice he’s alone, worry consumes me, and I jump out of my chair, rushing toward him.
“What’s going on?” I ask, my eyes searching his. “Where is he?”
Andy releases a ragged breath, averting his gaze downwards and rubbing his stubbled chin.
“Andy?” I press.
With another hard exhale, he finally meets my eyes. “He doesn’t want to see you, Fran.”
I rear back almost as if he’s slapped me. Did I hear him right? Robbie doesn’t want to see me? What the hell did I do?
