He pulled away, but kept a hold on my face. His eyes stayed on mine flashing a challenge that I returned with mine.
"Would it have been like this back in high school?" he asked with a leer in his voice.
At that my anger bubbled over.
"You know what, screw you, Aiden!"
I pushed his hands off of me and marched away eager to get as much distance between myself and him as I could. I continued walking even though I still heard him call after me.
"What the hell is the problem now!" he shouted.
I didn't even flinch but just kept moving. I didn’t stop until I made it back to the road. I had called a taxi as soon as my phone showed that I had service, almost back to the parking lot. I ran to the edge of the highway, hoping that I had lost him. By the time I made it to the road I clutched my side, nursing a painful stitch.
The taxi pulled up, as I had given meticulous instructions on my location. Once inside I pulled the door shut behind me and breathed a sigh of relief. I decided I didn’t have time for this kind of stuff, when there was a murder case to take care of. The rain pounded on the window of the cab as the driver pulled forward onto the freeway.
Chapter Eight
The trial date had arrived once again. This time it seemed as if everything would go according to plan. We had spent the morning selecting a jury which had gone largely without incident. The prosecution had apparently tried to get another continuance, but this time it had been denied.
Aiden had apparently given up on trying anything else. We had fallen back into our pattern of trying to outdo each other, while simultaneously making each other look good. I felt okay working with him, but after he had insinuated that I hadn’t been attractive enough for him in high school I was perfectly fine with not speaking to him outside of work. We had developed a cordial professional manner which seemed to work for both of us.
I couldn’t deny that his words had hurt that day. I had known back in high school that I was a late bloomer with not much of a figure. My beauty remained hidden behind glasses and braces until junior year. With the advent of contacts and the removal of braces I started to notice the change in the way people treated me, especially the guys. Even the popular girls started inviting me to the party’s right around that time.
I had no interest of hanging out with the same people who had teased me relentlessly before then and I made no secret of it. Usually if someone did muster up the courage to ask me out, I would remind them of the names that they had called me during our freshmen year.
I found the attention rather annoying.
It made me angry to think that Aiden might be in that same category as those one dimensional block heads.
I had still felt like the awkward girl.
I hadn’t known how to react.
In retrospect I could see that he had only one thing in mind. I felt relieved that all of it was now behind me, and all I had to focus on now was the trial.
We filed into the courtroom, shown by the bailiff where to sit. Aiden and I had the seats along the defendants table. Across the aisle the prosecution lined up placing their files on the small table, a mirror image to our own. Aiden and I sat on the end, while the senior partners had the seats closest to the client.
We had agreed that I would give the opening statements, since it had been my discovery which we used as the foundation of our defense. I took a breath to calm the nervousness of my stomach. In the audience sat the family of the defendant, a young woman that I believe to be his sister, with a young child, a thin girl with neat braids no more than nine, sitting next to her. I wondered if that could be Mr. Shaw's daughter. He had never mentioned having one, but then again no one had asked.
The jury filed in next, a diverse group, most of them with their eyes cast down until they took their seats. I found some small amusement that the tattooed biker had made the cut. He settled in between the clean cut old man and the young thirty something woman with the pony tail. As soon as they all settled many of them looked around the courtroom, soaking in as much information as they could.
The security guards escorted in Darius Shaw until he took his seat at the defendant’s table alongside Mr. Mahoney.
"All rise! Judge Walters presiding," the deep voice of the bailiff rang out over the courtroom.
Everyone grew silent and stood with bits of shuffling, eyes forward.
"Court is now in session."
The judge entered from his chambers, moved across to the bench and took his seat. He looked like a cordial gentlemen, gray hair. He kept his face serious as he looked out over the courtroom. The placement of his bench, about a foot and a half higher than everything else in the room always made me feel that the courtroom was the embodiment of justice. Each section had meaning, every segment of the room was marked out with a purpose.
I relaxed back in my seat as the judge made his announcements, instructing the jury to listen but not to make any decisions until all of the information had been heard. The trial would take about one to two weeks, he said. During that time they were not to talk about any part of the case, make any posts online about their involvement. Doing so could end in a mistrial. He gave them a stern look before turning to the prosecution.
The other head of the other law team stood and began his opening remarks. While he spoke, I watched him like a hawk. No one here knew that my part coming up next would be the first time I had done this.
Why hell would they trust me to do this on a murder case for my first time?
Probably because the client couldn’t pay for the big dogs at the firm, I told myself.
I needed to get my head straight.
I wanted to see what fine points I could pick up before I took my turn.
He moved around the courtroom, presenting the beginning and main points of their upcoming arguments. He came across as charismatic and dynamic. I watched members of the jury as they leaned forward to take in what he was saying. If I wanted them to listen to me in just the same way, I had my work cut out for me.
Finally he wrapped up, thanked the jury, and took his seat. I realized that my turn had come. Every eye in the courtroom had turned towards the defense table. I stood and picked up the notes I had prepared, stepping out from between the table and my chair. I glanced towards Aiden, and he gave me a confident nod.
I took a deep breath and began.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Darius Shaw was found standing over the body of his wife, Rita Shaw, seen there by the first responders of an anonymous 911 call. One could say this is an open and shut case. But every case depends on the production of evidence to piece together the events of any crime. Without judgment I ask each of you to hear out the details of the trial until you have heard all of the evidence." I walked as I spoke, placing myself close to the jurors and making a point to look each of them in the eye. My voice rang out across the courtroom. I had felt nervous up until the moment I began speaking. Then all of my training and preparation took over. Perhaps I didn’t match the charisma of the prosecuting lawyer, but I felt more than anything that I had the attention of the jury. That was all I needed. As I spoke I walked over to Darius Shaw to draw the attention of the jury to him. "Lastly, I simply ask that you listen with an open mind. Look at the facts. Let the information presented guide your decision as the fate of one man rests in your hands. Thank you."
I returned to my seat and Mr. Mahoney stood.
I exhaled.
Aiden leaned over to whisper in my ear. "That was amazing,” he said.
I glanced over at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes.
"Thanks," I said.
I agreed but I suppressed the grin that threatened to break out across my face.
I would celebrate later.
When we won the case.
I hoped.
For the time being I kept my cool professionalism at the surface and waited for the remainder of the trial to unfold. Even though this was a murder case, and we were fighting to keep this man out of
jail for the rest of his life, I had to admit I found this kind of fun. I had waited my entire life for this and had worked hard to achieve it.
It did feel strange to have Aiden here.
My emotions to him had shifted drastically since that first day he had set foot back into my life. I had felt everything from excitement to annoyance, infatuation and disgust. But in that moment, sitting in the courtroom, having just nailed the first time I had given opening statements, I couldn’t help but feel a small thrill that he remained sitting next to me. Having him there made it a little bit better somehow.
I couldn’t deny it.
The day continued and the first details of the case were presented to the jury. Aiden and I worked in tandem, feeding off of each other while continuing to compete. Each time he stepped forward, I found a reason to up my game and with every point that I made, he brought up another. At one point, while Aiden and I had both had taken the chance to question to one of the first responders who had been called to the stand, I glanced over and noticed Mr. Mahoney and Ms. Klein exchanging a significant glance, both smiling and nodding.
I had just taken my seat and Aiden stood to present his questions, so I had no way of knowing which of us the gesture referenced. I carefully kept my eyes averted, but continued to be aware of how they followed Aiden with their eyes as he moved around the courtroom. I wondered if I had held their attention in the same way, something I couldn’t have seen as my attention remained on my tasks.
Being a lawyer, I began to realize, was just as much about charisma and likeability as it was about presenting facts, and it seemed as if I wasn’t the only one who noticed that Aiden had this ability in spades. When I glanced towards the jury, their faces confirmed my suspicion. They all seemed rapt by Aiden's presence, which meant good news for our client. I watched him though out the day, taking mental notes on how to apply certain details to my own delivery, always seeking to improve and learn as much as I could.
The day came to an end after what seemed like more hours than the day could hold. The bailiff led the jury out first, in single file out the same door in which they entered. Then Darius Shaw was escorted out with security on either side. I noticed the family members in the audience slipped out the main doors at the same time, and I assumed that this was the sister to which he had been remanded.
The bailiff called for us to all stand as the judge exited back to his chambers. After he disappeared, we were directed that court had been adjourned for the day and we were all free to go. Again I marveled at the specificity of it all, the timing and clockwork. If only the rest of life could be so definitive, things would be a lot easier.
We would return to court on Monday, with a brief refresher meeting with the partners Sunday afternoon. Mr. Mahoney had scheduled this for us to brush up if we needed it. I had to admit, the day had gone well for all of us.
Mr. Mahoney stepped over to us as Aiden and I gathered our things.
"I wanted to commend you both on your performance today,” he said. His rare smile created small crinkles around his eyes. "Ms. Klein and I have been very impressed with both of you."
Aiden and I exchanged a glance, and I perceived the small smile dancing at the edge of his lips. The compliment wasn’t undeserved for Aiden and to be honest I felt for myself either.
"Thank you, sir,” I said. "That means a lot."
"I have to be honest," Mahoney continued. "The other senior partners in the firm were unsure how the two of you would do, working together as partners in this case since you’re vying for the same position with our company. But you have both surprised us. You work so well together. You have both really been able to pull it off. Good work, both of you."
He clapped Aiden on the back and gave me another smile, nodding as he walked back to pick up his briefcase.
I felt ecstatic at Mahoney's words, and the look on Aiden's face indicated that he may have had a similar inclination.
The senior partners walked out together a little way ahead of us, but not before Ms. Klein gave me a nod of confidence from the door. I felt good, better than I had in a long time. Regardless of what else happened, today had been a victory, my first steps into the courtroom and I had nailed it.
The tiniest inkling of worry entered my mind that the compliment had been aimed at both of us. I had hoped that by now there might be a clear front runner and that it would be me. I pushed the thought aside, wanting to relish in the victory of the day.
"You know what," Aiden said as he held the courtroom door open for me. "We should celebrate."
"What did you have in mind?" I asked warily but internally leaping at the thought.
"You know I really enjoy the suspicion in your voice every time I suggest we hang out,” he said with a smile.
I couldn’t help but laugh as we stepped out into the parking lot. We hadn’t spoken casually since the day we had gone hiking and despite myself I had missed the interaction a little bit. I hadn’t quite forgiven him for the exchange at the look out, nor did I think that I was ready to. Regardless I still wanted to celebrate the day.
"I'm sorry," I said with a smile. "I don't mean anything by it, honestly."
"Sure, sure,” he said.
"I'm not sure if it is a good idea,” I said. "Shouldn't we wait? I mean we should spend the weekend preparing for Monday."
"That is what the meeting is for on Sunday afternoon,” he said. "You're allowed to relax every now and then, you know."
"What are you implying?" I said, turning away and walking forward with purpose.
"No, Blair. I didn't mean..." He laughed a bit keeping the mood light. "I’m confident that we are more than prepared to continue our case next week. You were amazing today after all. I mean it."
The compliment lightened my mood and the smile returned to my face.
I tried to hide it though.
"You weren't too bad yourself," I said. "Now I'm not saying it's a good idea, but what did you have in mind?"
It was a terrible idea.
I knew I shouldn’t have asked.
"Why don't I pick you up tomorrow morning and we'll spend the day at the beach. Just the two of us, no funny business. We'll do some fishing like we used to back at Lake Okoboji, then go back to my place for some home cooked seafood dinner."
I hardly remembered how to fish.
"I haven't thought about those summers in a long time,” I said. "It sounds like fun, but..."
"Blair," he said in a more serious tone. "I feel bad about before. I didn't mean to suggest that I wasn't attracted to you in high school. Of course, I was. How could I not be? But I was a stupid kid. The only type of girl I had any interest in... I mean I was just trying to get laid all the time. I didn't want anything to ruin our friendship."
We stopped walking next to my car. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at his feet. I wasn’t sure how I felt about what he was saying, but I kept listening. He looked up at me.
"Blair, you were my best friend. I didn't want anything to ruin that."
He had already said that.
I needed to keep my eye on the prize, the job.
Why was it so damn difficult?
Aiden was why.
Aiden Player.
Was he playing me to get this job?
I fiddled with my car keys while I thought it over. Sensing my hesitation, he placed his hands gently on my elbows, pulling me in slightly. The gesture seemed genuine.
Shit.
Of course he had to touch me with his magical hands.
God the things they could do.
"Let me make it up to you, Blair. I promise I won't try anything. Okay?"
Maybe I succumbed to the adrenaline of the day, still riding the wave of euphoria from what I considered a small victory, I felt like I did deserve a day out. And I realized as I mulled it over in my head that I wanted that day to be with Aiden, even if it was just as friends.
I just couldn’t fight it.
"Okay," I said at last. "I'll go. I
t sounds like fun, but no funny business!" I chided as I pointed a finger at him.
"Promise," he said holding up his fingers as if making the scouts pledge.
As I turned towards my car door he wrapped his arm around my neck and pulled me towards him in a playful neck hold, speaking with a husky voice directly into my ear. "Though you have to admit that you look super-hot in that dress. You never would have worn such a thing back in high school."
Jesus.
He immediately let go and dodged as I had swung to punch him in the shoulder. I laughed as he trotted across the parking lot towards his car.
"I'll pick you up around nine!" he called over his shoulder.
I laughed and opened the door to my car. It had been a long time since I had felt this happy. This tempted.
Kelsey hadn’t yet arrived home when I got there. I started the water to fill up the bathtub, tossing in a handful of lavender bath salts. I felt remarkably giddy, only partially for the way the day had gone in the courtroom, but also because of the conversation I had with Aiden. On top of the salts I added a capful of bubbles.
I deserved the extra pampering.
I pulled off my clothes, and threw on my robe heading to the kitchen for a cup of hot tea. Once the water came to a boil, I poured some over the tea bag and returned to the bathtub. I set the tea next to the bath tub on the counter, double checked the temperature of the bath and dropped my robe. I stepped in, carefully lowering my body into the warm suds and feeling the tension drain from my body. I let out a long sigh as the events of the past weeks drifted away.
All but one, tomorrow.
A full day with Aiden.
He promised not to try anything, he had said.
Maybe we could reconnect and pick up with the friendship that seemed so easy for us to slip back to, always hiding just under the surface. I seemed that no matter how bad things got, the under current remained.
I heard the apartment door in the living room and knew that Kelsey had arrived home. I could remain silent, but I knew that she would find me in the end. Being in the bath hadn’t been any hindrance to her in the past.
Tempted (A Player Brother Romance Book) (A Standalone Novel) (Player Brothers Book 1) Page 12