by A. J. Macey
“I love you too, Jess,” I murmured, hugging him tightly before pressing my lips to his. “And you don’t have to thank me. You three are my world, and I’ll do whatever I have to, to make sure it stays that way.”
“Mr. Bell,” the bailiff called, “Judge Tursen would like to see you in his chambers.”
“Okay, kids, stay with Stell until I get back,” Kaleb instructed, waving Reid and Kingston over to where Jesse and I stood apart from the group. “Don’t talk to anyone outside of your friends, alright?”
“Of course, Dad,” Kingston agreed, the rest of us nodding before he followed the officer. “Probably a shitty question, but how are you guys feeling?”
“Ha, sick,” Jesse huffed, his lips curling despite the worry in his eyes.
“Same. That was utterly terrifying, and if I don’t have to go through that ever again, it’ll be too soon,” I muttered in irritation. “Can it be after graduation already, and we’re on our flight to Hawaii to do all the things on our bucket list like we talked about?”
“Soon, Cali girl, soon,” Reid agreed with a nod.
Not soon enough.
Twenty minutes passed painfully slow, but when the court was called, I found myself holding a barf bag.
You know, just in case.
“Alright, in the case of Mr. Jesse Parker vs. the State of Nebraska,” the judge stated. “I find the defendant guilty of juvenile misdemeanor assault with the punishment of two hundred community service hours to be completed in the next six months. If you fail to complete the punishment within the allotted time, you will face up to a year in jail. Understood?” Jesse dipped his head with a “Yes, Your Honor,” as the crowd gasped, either from surprise at the lenient punishment or what the judge said next.
“There are also new charges against Mr. Brad Warland for attempted first-degree sexual assault and harassment. Bailiff, if you would, escort Mr. Warland to Booking and Intake for processing.” Brad scoffed, but was agitated, glancing at his parents who were outraged based on their bright red faces and near snarls.
Holy shit.
Brad just got arrested.
As soon as Brad had been removed from the room in handcuffs, somewhat forcefully by the bailiff, the judge banged his gavel.
“Court is adjourned.”
Our friends jumped up in excitement, hugging Jesse as he came around the barrier separating the defense table from the gallery, but all I could think was, it was finally over.
Well, for now.
I’ll deal with that bridge when we get to it.
“Is that why the judge asked to talk to you?” I asked when Kaleb came over to where I sat, still unable to move.
“Yes. He wanted to know if we were pursuing charges against Brad, and when I said yes, he nodded. I hadn’t expected him to have him arrested immediately, but I am grateful he did,” Kaleb explained, holding his hand out to help me up. My mom stood stoically off to the side of the room, her lips still curled into a scowl, but it wasn’t as harsh.
At least, I didn’t think it was.
Might just be the intense relief flowing through me right now.
“We did it, Em,” Jesse stated quietly, his smile full of relief as his shoulders drooped.
“Told you everything would work out,” Reid exclaimed. “Now, who’s up for some pizza or dessert? Some sort of food because now that my stomach has settled, I’m starving.”
I had just opened my mouth to agree when Brad’s parents stepped in front of me, cutting off my path out of the building. His parents glared at me, his mom’s brow rising sharply as his father stepped closer.
Now I see where freaking Brad learned it from.
“Don’t think this is over, Miss Clark,” he sneered. “By the end of this, you’ll be ruined for coming after our family.” My blood ran ice-cold as they turned on their heel and stormed away.
“That won’t happen, Babydoll,” Kingston stated.
“Yeah, Cali girl,” Reid agreed, “we’re here.”
“You’re not alone,” Jesse finished out the round of promises, and as much as I loved their reassurances, I couldn’t stop the lead weight that formed in my stomach.
One trial down, one to go.
Awesome.
Epilogue
Anonymous
How little she notices, almost as if she’s taunting me, trying to make this easy for me.
She shuffled through the cold winter weather into the shop, her head bowed. My lip curled, the urge to sneer growing as I watched her move behind the counter and into the employees’ only hallway. My fists flexed, the unconscious movement betraying the adrenaline that ran through me at the thought of what I could do once I had her.
The way her skin would bloom a fresh bruise, all the more startling against her fairness. Coils of her hair would twist around my fist. Imagining the way she would gasp with each gratifying tug, the urge to sneak into the back became a persistent itch I was dying to scratch. It would be so easy to just go through with it now… I shoved the thought away, settling into my seat as I prepared for a long night of watching and waiting.
But when it’s time?
I’ll break the ungrateful brat for good.
Chaps & Cappuccinos
Book 3 of the High School Clowns & Coffee Grounds Series
Coming Spring 2020
Special Thanks
Huge thank you to Sue Johnston for participating in on of my takeovers on social media! Keep an eye out for the gift you picked in book 3- Chaps & Cappuccinos!
Acknowledgments
Jake, my amazing husband, who supported me and cheered me on even when I doubted myself!
To Jaresif for being the best friend I could ever ask for as well as Cas and Ash who have been behind me through this book’s rough journey
My beta readers-Michelle, Jessica, and Cassie—you guys are awesome and are the best, forever #AJsAlphabets!
Finally, for all of my readers, this wouldn’t be possible without you.
About the Author
A.J. Macey has a B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and previous coursework in Forensic Science, Behavioral Psychology, and Cybersecurity. Before becoming an author, A.J. worked as a Correctional Officer in a jail where she met her husband. She has a daughter and two cats named Thor and Loki, an addiction to coffee and swearing. Sucks at adulting and talking to people, so she’ll frequently be lost in a book or running away with her imagination.
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Also by A.J. Macey
Best Wishes Series:
Book 1: Smoke and Wishes
Book 2: Smoke and Survival
Book 3: Smoke and Mistletoe
Supplemental Point-of-View Stories: Between the Wishes
FSID Agents Series (Spin-Off to Best Wishes):
Book 1: Whisper of Spirits
High School Clowns & Coffee Grounds:
Book 1: Lads & Lattes
Book 2: Misters & Mochas
Book 3: Chaps & Cappuccinos (Coming Spring, 2020)
Supplemental Point-of-View Stories: Behind the Grind
The Aces Series:
Book 1: Rival
Book 2: Adversary
Book 3: Enemy (Coming January 25th, 2020)
Supplemental Point-of-View Stories: Making the Cut
Vega City Vigilantes:
Book 1: Masked by Vengeance
Book 2: Cloaked by Conspiracy (Coming Spring 2020)
Arcadia Reformatory Academy Series:
Book 1: Arcadia Reformatory Academy for the Sick and Sinister (Coming Early 2020)
Not Your Basic Witch co-write series with Jarica James:
Book 1: Witch, Please
Book 2: Resting Witch Face (Coming Early 2020)
