"I don't want her near you."
Tyler turned to look at me, a small smile creeped up.
"I'm not kidding," I reiterated.
"I'm not into her anymore."
"She's obviously trying to get you back. You don't see it?"
He watched me as we drove back to his place after the cafe.
"Nadine I'm not—,"
"The way she said you looked good? How she reminded you that you were obsessed with her? The fuck? Why is she even bringing that up?"
"Baby, you just jealous." His right hand landed on my thigh for reassurance.
I rolled my eyes.
"I want a different lawyer." I crossed my arms.
"She already got us the court date for this week. She's a good lawyer Nadine. I need her on my side to get this shit over with."
I sighed.
"When are you meeting her again?"
"Tomorrow."
"I'm coming."
He looked over at me chuckling.
...
Tyler picked me up after work to go talk to the lawyer. I wasn't going to let her try anything with Tyler. Her flirting was way too fucking obvious.
We got to the same coffee shop, it was less crowded than it usually was.
She was already sitting by one of the tables in the back.
"Hey," Tyler hugged her lightly. She smiled, eyeing me as soon as she took her eyes off of him.
"Oh, I didn't know you'd be joining us," she shook my hand.
"I asked her to come." Tyler interrupted. I knew he didn't want to fuck anything up.
"Oh," she smiled lightly and looked down at the file of papers.
They began to talk about the case, what Tyler should say, what he shouldn't, among other things. It was a good thirty minutes before I excused myself.
I went to the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. Maybe I was just making shit up in my head. Maybe she wasn't really into him. God, I was literally becoming him.
I was taking on his obsessive characteristics again. It was jealousy, but fuck, how couldn't I help it? Tyler had everything, plus he was attractive and charming. It wasn't the first time he'd turned down any girl.
Not to mention Danielle's status. She's up there in Tyler's same tax bracket; she's pretty, a well known lawyer, too. Tyler and her even had a past together. There's no competition there. I was literally just a college student at this point. I felt insecure again.
I made my way out.
I watched as she placed her hand atop of Tyler's arm, both laughing at something that was said. Fuck. He looked so happy.
I took a seat, Tyler noticing me.
"We were just talking about how fucked up I was."
"His mom used to literally beg me to watch him and make sure he was going to all his classes." She turned back to look at Tyler. "You were so fucking crazy," she laughed again.
"That time we both skipped class to go to that stupid concert, fuck, we were so stupid," Tyler chuckled.
I smiled along with them.
"What about you? Tyler told me you were still in school?" she sounded condescending.
"Uh, yeah. I'm studying film."
"She's talented. Good at it too," Tyler replied.
"Hm. Interesting career choice."
"Why's that?" I asked.
"I just didn't know he'd be into that...you know, art majors. Tyler was always a numbers guy."
"Maybe it's best if you just focus on the case." I eyed her.
"Nadine, you should just go wait in the car. It's just a few more pages I gotta sign. It'll be quick." Tyler replied.
I sighed, nodding. I didn't even wanna fight it. I didn't wanna fuck it up for him.
...
Another thirty minutes passed before I saw them both walk out. They hugged, Tyler waving before getting in the car.
"Court tomorrow. She said it was gonna be a quick trial, nothing too serious."
"Good." I looked out the window.
"You coming right?"
"Mhmm."
"Nadine."
I rolled my eyes, not wanting to look at him. I was way too annoyed.
"You still think she's trying to get at me?"
I didn't respond.
"Talk to me."
"I just want this shit to be over."
Tyler sighed, starting the car.
...
I called off work to go meet with Tyler. I had butterflies in my stomach, hoping this would all be over with soon. There was always a possibility that they had some type of evidence against him; shit that could turn everything left.
"Are you nervous?" I asked, greeting Tyler.
"You know I don't get nervous."
He gave me a kiss before they announced the judge. She walked in, then everyone took a seat.
Tyler was sat next to Danielle, she kept a straight face while Tyler fidgeted in his seat. His knee bounced up and down.
The prosecutor walked in along with the man that had filed the charge; the man Tyler assaulted. They sat on the left of us.
The judge read the case, letting Danielle respond.
"Your honor, my client was minding their business when this man, Mr. Angelo walked into the shop and began to berate my client—,"
"And what was the matter about?" The judge interrupted.
"Uh, he owed me money." Tyler spoke.
"For?"
"Car parts."
The judge asked Angelo more questions; both Tyler and him kept the same story going—acting so realistically I could almost believe it. Angelo was sat with his wife, he kept looking back at her like he was scared his lie would crumble on him.
"What injuries did Mr. Okonma cause?" the judge spoke.
Angelo's lawyer stood up, a medical paper in his hand.
"Broken nose bridge, fractured collar bone, and approximately 36 stitches on the right cheek, your honor."
The jury gasped, Tyler biting his lip.
"It was self-defense. He was threatening me with a knife," Tyler replied.
"It was a small pocket knife. Who knows what harm Angelo would have caused if Mr. Okonma did not protect himself." Danielle stated.
The trial kept on, and about 45 minutes later, the jury had made the decision.
Tyler looked back at me, a slight smile before the judge began.
"The jury has reached a verdict. On Angelo vs. Okonma, Mr. Okonma, you are not guilty of assault and battery."
I took a deep breath out, my knee bouncing up and down.
Angelo's wife started to make a scene before the judge interrupted.
"Mr. Okonma, I do expect you to pay Mr. Angelo's medical bills on everything that you did cause. However, since it was in self-defense, you will not be charged with battery. Case dismissed."
Tyler nodded, a sense of relief knowing that all he had to do was pay some medical bills—that was all too easy.
Once everything was over, we walked out.
"I told you I had it under control," Danielle smiled at Tyler.
"Thank you, for real."
"Don't worry about it—,"
"No, really. This shit could've ended badly. I don't know what would've happened if it wasn't for you."
She watched his lips move as he talked, a smirk playing on her lips.
"You made my job easy."
I rolled my eyes, walking closer as I interrupted.
"Thank god that's over," I kissed Tyler. "Thanks again," I looked over at her. Her smile disappeared.
"We should talk. What you've been up to..."she looked at Tyler again.
He nodded slightly.
"For sure."
I clenched my jaw.