Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail

"Look!"

I'd already known, but I had hoped…then it deflated as I watched Deputy Doug open his back door and cover Brady's head when he climbed inside. When he sat back, he looked for me. I saw a flash of vulnerability in my best friend and blinked back some of my own tears. I rarely saw that side of Brady and only saw it now for a second before his usual cockiness flared back.

No one seemed surprised when Deputy Doug approached me, hand in hat. "I'm sorry for this, Rayna."

"They both fought."

"There are witnesses saying Brady threw the first punch."

"He thought Kid had hurt me."

Deputy Dog scratched his head. "I'm sorry, Rayna. I really am. You know how I feel about that boy, but Brady flares up. We all know this. Kid hasn't had that history. I'd suggest for you to be at the station in the next hour. I'm sure bail will be set. I know that grandmother of yours can be a firecracker, especially with Judge Bailor."

I wasn't quite sure what he meant, but I nodded anyway.

"Again. I'm sorry, Rayna." Then he trudged towards his squad car. As he headed into town, I saw Kid climbing into another squad car. I was pretty sure he wasn't getting arrested.

"Kid's hot," Clarissa declared.

"What?"

"He's hot. I want to jump his bones. Don't tell Brady. He wouldn't like that."

I reeled. "Of course not. Brady and you…"

"Hell no." Clarissa snorted, laughing. "He just doesn't want anyone or anything to do with Kid. Me and BradesKins are buds, but I want to be more than buds with Kid. That's why I'm saying 'don't tell Brady.'" Clarissa caught the mystified expression on my face. "Don't say anything. That's all you gotta do."

I stood there as she sauntered away with a seductive sway to her hips. More than most of the males sent appreciative glances her way. They all looked and they all lingered. I would never be like that. Clarissa was just naturally sexy and me…I was a social deficit or whatever she had called me.

Okay. I swallowed tightly. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered because Brady needed me and I needed him. So I balled up my hands into tight fists and jerked forward. When a group remained in front of the garage, I realized that they didn't see me.

They didn't even notice me.

Brady was gone, therefore; I was gone. If Brady had been there, they would've moved without thinking. He wouldn't have needed to say a thing. But me—I'd have to walk around them, start my car, and honk to get them to move. Sighing, I started to go around when I heard an abrupt bark, "Move, idiots! Rayna's gotta go in and bail Brady out. She can't go anywhere with you blocking her car"

The group looked up. As they started to move to the side, a few apologized, but most just shuffled to the side and continued their same conversation.

I looked over to say thanks to Matt, but he flashed a charming smile and then went back inside, beer in hand. It wasn't long before the door shut behind him and I was left with the idea that I might've made one other friend that night.

I knew the way to the police station like the back of my hand. It wasn't long before I had turned into the parking lot and entered the lobby like before. Except this time, Deputy Doug wasn't at the front desk to greet me. A small lady with greying hair was. She looked like she was from Asian descent, but I wasn't sure. All I saw when she looked at me was blaring disappointment and contempt.

I forced myself forward. "Has bail been set for Brady Remington?"

She sniffed and muttered something unintelligible.

I frowned, unsure, and then said further, "Brady Remington just came in. Do you know if there's bail for him? I'd like to pay."

She glared again, muttered underneath her breath, and stalked away. Her black skirt was so tight it barely moved, but her arms swayed in an angry fashion. When she disappeared around a corner, I scanned the waiting room. Josh sat in the corner. As my eyes landed on him, he glanced up, but remained hunched over in his seat.

"He's coming, you know." He leaned back and looked away. I saw his hands jerk into fists.

"Who?" I had a good guess.

"They brought Kid in and they called his dad right away. He won't be long."

The world fell away in that split second and I couldn't breathe. Frank Stephens was coming—he might already be there. I didn't want Frank Stephens anywhere near Brady…and I turned, horrified, as I expected the door to open and emit him. But the door didn't move.

"I can't believe you."

I looked back, confounded. "What?"

"Brady. He's an ass and you're….you're here like a puppy dog. What is wrong with you? What's wrong with this entire town?"

"You just don't know him. You don't understand."

"No, I don't. I'm glad that I can say that I haven't been brainwashed by this criminal."

"Brady's not—"