The One

🔨 Chapter 27

🔨

This is not my first time. I've been handcuffed once before. I even rode in the back of a police car. It was also for fighting and 'disturbing the peace'. But what is new is seeing Prim's disappointed expression as she watches me and Jamie get carted off. I hate letting her down. She didn't want me to punch Jamie. But I don't know how any guy could hold themselves back when someone is saying stuff like that about their girl. Prim will get over it. Hopefully.

"Ray, you got my phone?" He was the one that went to grab it while I was being cuffed. He doesn't reply, he just holds it up from the front seat. "You'll be interested to watch the last video I recorded."

Ray turns in his seat and looks through the plexiglass at me. "You're giving me permission to look on your phone, Stanford?"

I nod, "Yep, code is 1235789."

He unlocks my phone and pulls up the video of Bliss and Jamie arguing behind the concession stand. His lips purse but he doesn't comment on it. I thought he'd at least say 'thank you'.

Once we get to the station I am put in a holding cell. "I don't have to be in here with Jamie do I? Not sure I can hold myself back from finishing what I started."

Ray says, "You are done fighting for tonight, Matt. They took him over to the medical clinic. He was worse off than you." He pretends to ignore my smile. "We have two holding cells, so stop your hoping."

Almost an hour later Ray opens the gate and walks me down the hall to where my father is waiting. My dad looks disappointed. It is the first time he's had to pick me up from jail so I don't know why he's so salty. Bryan got me last time.

Ray hands me a big envelope with my watch, phone, wallet, etc... "Text me that video." I nod and send it to him on the spot. He says, "Thanks. You are free to go." He looks me in the eyes, "No more fighting, kid."

I nod but the 'kid' stings. He's only five years older than me. But I see judgement in his eyes. I was caught fighting in front of the whole town. Pretty immature behavior. Honestly, I deserve to be called a 'kid'.

I follow my dad out to his car. "Can we pick up my truck?"

"Already at home."

"Oh. Um, thanks." He's still annoyed. "I'll pay you back for the bail."

"No bail. They just released you." We get in and he starts driving home.

I sigh with relief, that means there won't be charges.

"So, your mom says Rosie isn't my daughter."

My eyebrows shoot up. What a way to say it. "Wow, Dad. No, the woman you had an affair with didn't birth your child."

He frowns, "You can't be mad at me now."

"I can't?"

"No. Everything's fine, you need to let it go."

I'm frowning now, "I still had to go through all that turmoil dad. You still cheated on Mom. The fight tonight was because Jamie tampered with the DNA letter. A letter I wouldn't even have had to get if it weren't for you. I don't have to forgive you instantly. You really hurt me and Prim and Mom." I shake my head and say quieter, "It's like you don't care."

"You of all people should understand what I did. If you love Rosie the way you say you do then you have to realize you would probably do the same thing. If she were to get married to someone else, you don't think you'd still want her?"

I shake my head, "There is no way I would have an affair." He snorts like he doesn't believe me.

"If Prim married someone else I would probably just never get married. Maybe I'd wait for her to get a divorce. And if I did marry, there is no way I'd cheat on my wife! You are just trying to justify your actions, like somehow what you did was okay."