Page 13 of Fall (Rise & Fall Duet 2)

Though I hoped it didn’t come to the two of us running things without Lexie. Because she had to be out of jail by tomorrow. Or I’d lose my mind.

Teague nodded and tossed me his keys. “I’ll go meet them at the kitchen. It’s best if I drive the van instead of Beau.”

I gave him the instructions Lexie had expressed regarding Eric’s belongings. “Is it better for him to stay at their home? So as not to disrupt his routine?”

Teague and Daniel stared at me. I didn’t ask opinions very often. But if it was better for Eric, then I’d move to their apartment for the time being.

My brother lifted a shoulder and lowered it. “Maybe? But what about Muffy and Millie? I’ve tried to get Lexie to take a dog, even for the weekend, but she said they can’t have pets in their building.”

“Then the decision is made. Take them to my apartment.”

Eric needed Millie. The dog would ease his mind in a way nothing else could until Lexie was home. And he’d liked that his painting hung in my office. He’d seemed comfortable the last time he’d stayed.

“I’ll tell Beau I’m on my way. If you do it, she’ll take off just to spite you.”

That was the complete and total truth. Teague had a way of getting what he wanted without coming across as demanding. I didn’t have the time or inclination for such finesse.

“Update me.”

He lifted a brow. “Will you do the same?”

Reluctantly, I nodded. Somehow I felt better and worse now that he was involved in the evening’s events.

“I’ll see you in a—what the hell is he doing here?” Teague stiffened as he stared at the figure looming in the doorway.

I clenched my fist at the sight of our father.

“I called him.”

Chapter Six

Lexie

Jail was worsethan I imagined.

It had a weird smell. And I was locked up with an array of women ranging from various degrees of drunk or high to quiet ones, who quite frankly scared me.

I wouldn’t judge any of them. I shouldn’t be here, and maybe some of them were innocent too. Or at least justified in what they’d done.

Is Eric okay?

Beau could take care of him. In that, I could rest assured. But it was his mental state. He’d seen me arrested. That was traumatic for anyone. I didn’t want to lie to him, but I’d have rather spared him the truth of the scene.

Although, if I’d proposed a surprise adventure with Beau for a few days, one where I wouldn’t be, he’d have had his suspicions. He knew my moods, sensed my stress, and carried them like his own.

Thank goodness Beau had agreed to take custody of him all those years ago in case something happened to me. She hadn’t hesitated, and I hadn’t given it much thought since we’d finalized the documents. I’d had to make sure Eric never ended up in our parents’ hands again.

I didn’t want to stay in a cell any longer than I had to, but I was relieved to know my brother was safe.

Is Lincoln still with them?

He’d been unreadable, though supportive. He’d been present, yet withdrawn.

When he’d been the one in cuffs, I’d helped him despite not even liking him. At that moment, I would’ve sworn it was because of Beau. Upon reflection, I wondered if something in me had wanted to helphim.

Had I rebelled against him so vehemently because I recognized he was risky? Not only for me but for Eric.

I leaned my head against the concrete block wall. Did people who spent a lot of time locked up contemplate everything in their life? I’d never known such true isolation. I felt so cut off from the world, even though I’d only been here such a small time. I could well imagine that people cycled through thoughts like I was. Thoughts I usually was too busy to think about refused to be pushed back.

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