Page 64 of On Her Team
I shove my phone in my pocket and bury my face in my hands. I can’t believe this is happening. Otis is in jail? What did he do? This is Smuggler’s Hideaway; you have to be a real ass to end up in jail here.
Most transgressions are laughed off as part of the Smuggler way of living. But not this time. Why not this time? What happened.
Gage plies my hands away from my face. “You’ve got this. And I’ll be there with you. Together we’ll get this solved.”
“He’s seventeen. Nearly an adult. What if he gets tried as an adult?”
He squeezes my neck. “We don’t know what Otis did yet. Let’s find out what happened. And then we can deal with it.”
“You should stay here. You need to train. I don’t want you to get in trouble for missing training.”
A muscle in his jaw ticks. “I don’t give a fuck about getting in trouble for missing training. This is family. It’s more important.”
I stare up at him.Family is more important.He gets it. He gets why I can’t leave this island. Why I run myself ragged caring for my siblings.
My heart stutters in my chest. So much for keeping my heart safe.
Chapter 19
This is a team sport.
Gage
Idrive us toward Smuggler’s Rest since Addy is in no state to concentrate on the road. Her knees are shaking, and she’s chewing on her fingernails.
I place a hand on her thigh. “We’ll figure it out.”
“You didn’t say things will be okay.”
“I can’t guarantee things will be okay. I can guarantee that whatever we’re facing, we’ll figure it out.”
“Okay.” She blows out a breath and drops her hands to stop chewing on her fingernails. Her accepting my reassurance means the world to me. She believes me. It’s a start.
We arrive in Smuggler’s Rest. “Where am I going?”
“The courthouse.” She points to a large building near the square.
I find a parking spot in front of the building. As soon as I switch the car off, Addy reaches for the handle. I stop her.
“Wait for me. We’re going in there as a team.”
She opens her mouth – probably to argue with me – but snaps it shut and nods. Good. I’m getting somewhere with her.It’s two steps forward, one step back with her. But I don’t mind. I’m used to working hard to get what I want.
I hurry around the front of the car and open her door. She doesn’t hesitate to take my hand and I help her out.
We walk into the building together. As a team. I want to be on Addy’s team forever. It’s where I belong.
We make our way through the building until we reach the police department.
“Hi, Jennifer,” Addy greets the receptionist. “I want to visit Otis.”
“Of course, you do.” She pushes away from the desk and stands. “I’ll take you back.”
When I follow, Jennifer pauses. “Who are you?”
“I’m Gage. I’m on her team.”
Addy’s hand spasms in mine. She’s not used to someone being on her team. She’s used to being a solo act. Things have changed, songbird.
