Page 148 of Test the Ice
“Dimples? If you tell me that Charleigh is in the ER again…”
“No!” she exclaims. “She’s fine. She’s with Zoe.”
I do the quick math again, just to make sure I have the time right. “It’s seven-thirty in the morning. Where are you going this early?”
“I’m on my way to the courthouse, Malaki.”
My bag slides off my shoulder and lands on the floor with a thud. “What?”
Her shaky breaths echo through the phone, and I swear I can feel them against my skin. “Benedict found out about Charleighfalling. He filed an emergency motion yesterday, and I was just told about it an hour ago.”
Anger claws at my neck. “For what?”
“Neglect and abuse.”
I clench my eyes shut and pinch the bridge of my nose so hard water pricks at the sides.
“I don’t even have a lawyer yet,” her voice breaks.
“How can they do this?” Panic rushes through my veins, but I keep it under wraps with her on the phone.
She sniffles. “I don't know, but I have to go. I can’t get worked up any more than I already am.”
“Don’t worry, Reese.” I’m already coming up with a plan to get home. “I’m on my way.”
We both hang up without another word, and I jog over to Coach. He stares at me over the brim of his to-go coffee cup. “I can’t control the weather, Young. I already told Barlow that.”
“I have to get home.”
He surveys my face and apparently comes to the realization that I’m not messing around, like usual. “No matter the airline, the flight will still be delayed.”
“Then I’ll fly into a different city and drive the rest of the fucking way,” I argue.
Rhodes catches my eye and walks over. “What’s going on?”
I say one word. “Benedict.”
Rhodes turns to Coach. “It’s an emergency. I’ll go with him if that’s the issue.”
He sighs exasperatedly. “Fine. Let me see what I can do to get you home sooner.”
He turns and pulls out his phone.
If he doesn’t find a way, then I will.
One way or another, I’m getting back to Chicago.
Forty-Eight
REESE
I’m shaking,and I’m not sure if it’s from anger or fear. I was told about this hearing without even enough time to shower, so I didn’t exactly have time to call any of the lawyers I’ve been in contact with. How could I ask them to meet at the courthouse within thirty minutes when they haven’t even agreed to work with me yet?
The security guard waves me forward through the metal detector, and it buzzes. He has me go through again and…same thing.
“Do you have anything on you?” he asks.
I blink several times, and I’m still just as confused. My mind is too messy, my blood pressure through the roof. “Like a weapon?!” I squeak.
