But as I stand, Thayden grabs my shoulder, and his grin widens. “Oh, no no no. You, my dear Patrick, will be joining me in front of a judge today.”
I swear our lawyer and friend is having way too good of a time with all this. He’s on his way to being demoted to almost-friend. The amused smirk has not left his face since he walked into the fray thirty minutes ago, right after I accidentally assaulted a police officer.
Hitting Chevy was truly the cherry on top of my last twenty-four hours, in which my brothers came, saw, and dismissed Sheet Cake, we all got arrested for disturbing the peace at a local “bar,” and I got to see Lindy proposed to and pawed at by a man named Wolf. I’d like to stuff him in a shipping container like in the movie Madagascar.
James, Collin, and Chase pause near the doorway, looking back at me.
“A court appearance?” Chase asks.
“Today?” Collin frowns. “Isn’t that … soon?”
“It’s a small town. Not much on the docket.” Thayden shrugs. “Judgement is swift when you assault a police officer.”
I roll my eyes. “I didn’t—”
“You did,” James says, glowering at me. “Even if you meant to assault the other guy. And before you say this is my fault for bringing us here—”
“Wasn’t going to say that. But now that you mention it …”
James jabs a finger in my direction. “You started this when you joined forces with Tank and went behind our backs. Let’s go.”
And then, James is gone. Chase and Collin don’t immediately follow.
I drop my hands on the table and slump in my chair. “They’re really charging me?”
Thayden raises his eyebrows, like he’s telling me to get with the program. “You hit a cop. And assaulted a private citizen. Wolf’s lawyer, the illustrious Billy Waters, Esq., who is also his brother, has encouraged him to press charges.”
“I never touched that guy!”
But I wanted to. From the moment he got down on one knee, it was like I was seeing through a pair of jealousy goggles. Not that I have any right or reason to feel so protective. When it comes to Lindy, reason takes a back seat.
I’m sure the fact we hardly slept last night didn’t help. It was a shock seeing a proposal when Lindy told me the other day she was single. And what was all that about needing to get married to keep custody of Jo?
“And I’ll argue your point before the judge,” Thayden says. “But you struck the deputy, who then collided with Mr. Waters. You’ll be lucky if his lawyer doesn’t file a civil suit for damages. That’s what lawyers do.”
“You’re a lawyer,” Collin points out.
Thayden leans back in his chair, linking his fingers behind his head. “I am. But I’m not one of the undesirable ones. At least, not anymore. I’ve amended my smarmy lawyer ways. Now, I have your family to keep me in business. So, thank you for that. Delilah’s been wanting to get a new rug. Why are rugs so expensive when you’re just going to walk all over them?”
If I punch Thayden, will it look bad for me in court? Probably. Maybe I need to go at least a good twenty-four hours without engaging in fisticuffs. And I need to get out of here and ask Lindy about that custody stuff.
Collin rubs a hand over his jaw, then swings his gaze to me. “Do not do anything stupid.”
“It’s a little late for that, don’t ya think?” Thayden asks.
“You know what I’m talking about,” Collin says, looking remarkably like James at the moment.
I actually think I DO know what he’s talking about, but I’m not going to admit it, so I only shrug. Thayden, realizing he’s missing something, glances between us. Chase simply looks resigned to go along with whatever’s happening here.
“Ooh! I want to know what stupid thing you think he’s going to do,” Thayden says. “As his lawyer, it’s better I know up front.”
“I thought it was better if you had deniability,” I say.
“Depends on what you’re thinking about doing. Murder—that, you should keep to yourself.”
“It’s worse,” Collin says. “He’s thinking about marrying The Woman.”
He’s not wrong. But I’ve been thinking about a future with Lindy since the moment I saw her again in the diner. It has nothing to do with Wolf and his stupid drumline. What kind of grand gesture was that, anyway?
If what Wolf said is true, though, and Lindy is having some kind of custody issue with Jo, I want to help. However I can. And yeah, that includes marriage. Everything is on the table.
Chase’s face is priceless, like a perfect shock emoji. I wish I could take a picture, but the cops still have my phone and wallet. “Now you want to propose?” he asks.
I say nothing, because pleading the fifth seems like the smartest option right now. It’s probably good practice for my case too.
Thayden studies me, amusement lighting his eyes. “Interesting plot twist.”
“Interesting isn’t the word I’d use,” Collin says. “Impulsive, stupid—”
I lean back in my uncomfortable chair. “I never said a word about marriage.”
“You didn’t need to. It was all over your face the minute that Wolf guy said Lindy needs to get married. What kind of custody thing is she dealing with, anyway? Does she have a kid?” Collin asks.
“She’s raising her niece,” I explain. “And I don’t know the whole story.”
“Well, don’t make a Pat Decision before you do.”
“A Pat decision?” Thayden asks.
I lean his way. “He means it as an insult. A Pat Decision is one made quickly.”
“Impulsively,” Collin adds. “Stupidly. When you’re thinking with your—”
Thayden holds up a hand. “I got it. Mind if I adopt the term? It has a nice ring to it.”
“I mind,” I mutter. “Not that anyone cares.”
“Go right ahead. Just—keep a tight leash on him,” Collin tells Thayden. “Whatever you do, make sure he comes back to Austin with you. I don’t trust him not to get married otherwise.”
“Has this been a problem before?” Thayden asks.
“Yes,” Collin says, just as I say, “No.”
“Google it.” Collin gives me a last look I interpret to mean don’t screw up anything else and definitely don’t get engaged.