Page 22 of Pretty Black

“This better be rock bottom. I want to see some fucking upward trajectory.”

“We will.” For as long as his eternal optimism had driven me insane, today, I loved it.

“We should get out there.”

“Kiss me again, please,” he asked, lips already on mine.

I did, lingering in it. Trying to absorb as much of him as I could before we were forced apart. “I don’t want to leave you. I feel like I just found you. I haven’t gotten enough time.”

“I’m going to be there and waiting when you get out.” He slid a hand around the back of my neck, kissing me harder.

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

I felt better, but I knew as soon as I saw Alexander’s smug face and the reality of the psych hold set in, I’d lose it again.

“Are you ready?” Caspian whispered into my lips.

“No, but I have to face it, so might as well rip the bandaid off.”

“I wish I could fix it or take it all back. I wish I’d never told Alexander anything.”

“But we can’t go backward. We can’t take any of it back. I’ve made so many mistakes, and I’m so tired of feeling horrible about it all. I’m tired of wishing I could change things. We can’t, and maybe if none of it had happened this way, we wouldn’t be here. And I wanted to be here. I want to be with you. So I’m done wishing I could change any of it.”

I wanted to know we had a future, and we felt solid for the first time in maybe ever, and changing one thing might ruin everything.

I wouldn’t risk it.

“You’re right. You always amaze me with your insight. I want this. I want to be here with you. So we’ll face it all together?”

“Together.”

SEVEN

PRESENT DAY

Caspian Locke

We held hands as the hearing proceeded. I followed along, but not knowing any of the laws or precedents either side referred to, I didn’t know how good or bad it was going.

But the video—even with no sound—hurt.

Watching what had transpired the night before would haunt me. Maybe I’d blocked out how bad it had been or couldn’t conceptualize it from inside the situation, but from the outside, in the light of the day, Iris appeared unhinged. He closed his eyes and turned away thirty seconds into the replay, and I didn’t blame him.

Maybe he’d been too intoxicated to remember how bad it had been, and even our lawyer’s tone changed after seeing it. I couldn’t help but think every single person present for the hearing believed Alexander was perfectly in line with what he was requesting. Even I doubted my stance, but I knew Iris, and I’d seen the change in him this morning. I didn’t fear he’d be on the top of a building tonight or any time soon, but how could either of us convince a judge?

I squeezed his hand and ran my fingers up the inside of his arm, trying to instill as much comfort as I could. He pulled my hand into his lap, gripping it with both of his, keeping his eyes on my cheek and nowhere near the little television rolling cart the video played on. I spoke and answered questions from both counsels, and Iris did, but I knew deep in my chest it wasn’t enough. The video was too damning, so when the judge finally spoke, I already knew the outcome.

“I understand the complexities of this case and how this move could be seen as an attack by Mr. White against Mr. Black, but after evaluating the evidence presented, I can’t help but feel concern for the wellbeing of Mr. Black. I think given the circumstances, it would be dangerous with possible grave consequences to not have Mr. Black evaluated by a medical professional. I think Mr. Locke should have taken Mr. Black to an emergency facility last night after the incident, but considering their ages and relationship, I won’t hold it against him for making the judgement call. If Mr. Black were my child, I would want documentation and accountability that everyone involved with his management and care had ensured he had the best chance of treatment and survival given the very serious consequences that a failure would result in.”

The judge took a breath and turned towards Iris. “Mr. Black, I know this isn’t what you want, and today, you feel of sound mind and in control of your illness. But it’s my opinion that we need a trained medical professional to make this judgement call. I won’t recommend ninety days like Mr. White petitioned for. I will leave a treatment plan at the discretion of the doctors, but I am ordering an involuntary admission under the state’s Chapter III code, and I will reevaluate the case once you have been assessed. We will proceed with the doctor’s opinion.”

Iris crumpled. He didn’t make a sound, but the judgment was a crushing blow. I didn’t know how to help him get through this.

“I want to continue by saying I will monitor this situation closely because of the seriousness of the allegations against you, Mr. White. I don’t want to see either party acting out of turn here. Which means anything leaked, any moves for control or backhanded endeavors, or any actions I see as aggressive from either side will be taken as seriously as I’m taking Mr. Black’s mental health.”

“Your honor, we dislike the suggestion our firm would do any such thing. Mr. White is a well-respected talent manager who has worked in the industry for over twenty years. The implication he would do anything to put the health or safety of his clients at risk when the courts are much—”

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