He picks up the receiver, and I do the same.
“Did you do what I asked?” I croak.
“Yup, all done. I have the money waiting. Got a good price for it too.”
That’s painful to hear. I loved that car. It was the first thing I ever had to show for myself.
“You see the judge tomorrow?”
“Yup.”
“What’s it looking like?”
“It’s looking like three and a half years.” I bemoan.
“Shit, man.”
“I met with my public defender the other day.” A guy who doesn’t look much older than me and is way more discombobulated. “He said he could’ve probably gotten me sixteen to eighteen months and probation if I was going in front of any other judge. But because I am going in front of the biggest douchebag in the Monmouth County judicial system, and because I have a prior arrest, he’ll probably give me the max.”
“You’re fucking kidding me.”
“Nope.”
“Who’s the douche?”
“Remington.”
Mac looks at me funny. “Why does that name sound familiar?”
I sigh. “Because it’s Alana’s last name.” My chest tightens at just the mere mention of her name. My heart and soul, who I gave up to be here.
“Her dad?”
“Yup.” My life is a fucked-up reality TV show.
“Speaking of her.” Mac clears his throat uncomfortably. “She came looking for you.”
“When?” I nearly jump through the glass. “What did you tell her?”
“Nothing! Just like you told me to. I told her nothing. That I hadn’t seen you, and I had no idea where you were.”
“Good.” I sag in relief. Yes, I am the biggest dirt-bag asshole on the face of the Earth. You don’t have to tell me. I am fully aware. I did the worst thing imaginable to the one person who means the most to me in this entire universe. But I did it for good reasons. At least, that’s what I keep trying to tell myself. I miss her every second. There’s a chunk of me missing without her. I’ll never deny it. Giving her up has been the most excruciating thing I’ve ever had to endure.
“Are you sure you want to go through with this, Ry? I will go out there and drag Sean back here in a headlock if you want me to. I can’t stand you doing this to yourself.”
“It’s the way it has to be.”
“I’m not so convinced. At least let me tell Alana where you are. That you didn’t just abandon her.”
“Didn’t I?”
“Sort of, but it doesn’t mean she won’t forgive you. Especially under the circumstances.”
“How can you be so sure of that?”
“Because that girl loves you. You didn’t see the look in her eyes. She’s broken. And I know you feel the exact same way.”
I do. Yes, I do!