I let out a long exhale, straighten my shoulders, and approach the window. “Excuse me, my boyfriend was just brought in and I need to know how to get him out.”
“Name?”
“Oakley Wilson.”
“What was Oakley charged with?”
“No, I’m Oakley. His name is Kane Treadway, I mean Luther Kane Treadway, he was charged with…” I lean closer to the window. “statutory rape,” I finish in a whisper. “But, you see I’m already eighteen. I’m sure this has to be some misunderstanding.”
“Oh, sweetie, I’m not supposed to give out any information when a case involves a minor.”
“Please, please, ma’am. Do you need to see my license?” I plop my purse on the sill of the window. I dig around until I find my pouch that I keep my IDs in. Putting it up to the window, “See, I’ve been eighteen for months now.”
“Let me look and see what I can find on him,” She pecks away at her keyboard. “No, it’s not you that he’s being charged with raping.”
“Not me?” What the fuck!
25
Kane
As soon as I was booked, they tell me who I supposedly raped. My mouth hit the nasty floor! “I need to see my lawyer,” I demand. That whore has pushed me too far.
“Who’s your lawyer?” the fat ass guard asks me.
“Marshall White.”
“Yeah, we know him. Jerald, call White.” Fat ass is just sneering at me. “So you think it’s fun to fuck little girls?” He snarls up his lips, “They’ll have fun with you in the joint.”
“I’m not going to the joint because there’s a misunderstanding here somewhere or someone is lying,” I tell him through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, that’s what they all say.” He laughs. “I think there’s a bubba in there that will like your pretty face and make you his wife.”
“Look, I’m not talking until my lawyer gets here.”
“Suit yourself, pretty boy.” He lets out a roaring laugh.
It feels like forever for my lawyer to appear but in all reality, he probably got here as fast as he could. I keep him on retainer for SugarKane Productions.
“Kane, I came as soon as they called,” Marshall says to me then turns to the guard. “I need a moment alone with my client please.”
Fat ass gets up and waddles out of the room.
“Who is Gretchen Fortenberry? That’s who’s accusing you of rape.”
“She worked for me up until a few weeks ago. She kept coming on to me so I fired her.”
“Did you ever sleep with her?”
I hang my head. “Yeah, once.”
“Damn, Kane, what did I tell you guys? You can’t be screwing those girls. Once is all it takes. What did her background check show?”
“You do the background checks, you tell me.”
“I didn’t run any reports on a Gretchen Fortenberry.”
“Yeah you did; she started in January.”
“Kane, I didn’t start doing those checks for you until March. Before then CJ was doing them…when he remembered. That’s why you had me take over doing them.”
“Fuuuck.” I want to punch something.
“Yeah, fuck.”
“Get a hold of CJ for me. Hell, just get me out of here,” I tell him.
“Let me go see what I can do.” Marshall gets up and leaves the room.
Gretchen must have been the one sabotaging everything from slashing my tires to spray painting my garage. This bitch is going to pay because she’s over eighteen; I’d bet my life on it. I guess in a way I already did.
I’m going to sue her ass for defamation of character. If she makes me lose Oakley, I’ll… I won’t be held responsible for my actions.
26
Oakley
The next day
I didn’t sleep at all last night, and when I finally closed my eyes, Clay, Lizzie, the whole band, and every freaking body showed up. In the middle of the freaking night. People I barely know are here, trying to wage in on Kane’s innocence. I want them all to go the fuck home. I wish I’d never called my brother.
“See, Oakley, I told you to stay away from him.” Clay fumes while he paces the living room.
“Clay, how’s that going to help her? It’s not, so shut the fuck up and leave her alone,” Mercy tells him.
The person I barely knows is the one taking up for me while all the people who are supposed to love me, my family, are only here to belittle me. I think I like her. She’s closer to Ryder’s age and has an air of authority to her.
“Mercy, this doesn’t concern you, so stay out of it,” Lizzie hisses at her.
“Lizzie, don’t start being overly dramatic. We all know how you can get. All of you need to back up,” Mercy walks over and puts her arm around my shoulder, “Oakley, what did they say when you went to the police station?”
“Just that it wasn’t me that he was charged with raping. Margie seems to think that there’ll be a bond hearing in the morning,” I tell her.
Denise is over by herself with her head bowed. Levi’s sitting really close to her, rubbing her back.
“Oakley,” Denise says, looking up. “I’m so sorry this has happened. I’m praying for Kane because he was always really sweet to me.”
“Thanks, Denise.” I’m glad that at least Denise is trying to help. I know she’s always in church come hell or high water. I hope she has a direct line with God and her prayers are being heard.
My phone finally rings. “Hello, Kane! Oh my God! Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, baby. You can come get me now, I’m free to leave,” Kane says.
“Okay, where do I go? What exactly do I need to do?” I ask him, fishing through my purse for some paper and a pen.
“Just come down to the jail, baby. Come in the front door and tell them you’re here to pick me up.”
He sounds so worn out.
“I’ll be right there,” I tell him.
27
Kane
A famous line from a poem comes to mind when I think about this cluster fuck. Oh, what a tangled web we weave. When first we practice to deceive. The fucked up part of this is I haven’t done anything wrong.
“Gretchen’s background check came back clean, dude, I swear,” CJ says, putting his right hand on his heart and raising the left.
“How? How did this happen? Her identification shows she just now turned eighteen.” I growl. “This is some fucked up shit right here.”
“I’ll go back to the online service I was using and check with them.”
“Online service? Why the hell were we using an online service? Do you have shit for brains?” I bark at him, running my hands through my hair for what’s probably the hundredth time.
“Maybe because our budget was almost non-existent at that time. Remember that’s when Deb came back and you had a shit ton of money tied up.”
I don’t want another reminder of how Deb has screwed up my life. “Hire a private investigator, halt all productions. I’m sure one of the other girls knows something. Maybe if they don’t get a paycheck for a few weeks, their amnesia will clear up.”
“Dude, they all hated her. None of them were her friends, Kane. How’s not filming going to help you? It’s going to stop your cash flow,” CJ says.
“I’ll figure something out, right now, just go do what I fucking pay you to do.” I wave him off.
“Don’t you need a ride home?”
“I called Oakley to come get me. She’ll be here any minute.”
I can’t believe this shit is happening to me. Oh wait, yes I can. I am Luther Kane Treadway, and this kind of stuff fucking seeks me out.
“Treadway, your ride is here.”
I hear but I don’t bother even acknowledging who said it. I simply get up and wait for them to buzz me through. As soon as I open the door, I see my girl. She looks as broken as I feel.
Oakley rushes over as soon as she notices me. “Kane! I was so worried!”
I take her in my arms, �
��Hey, baby, I’m so sorry that you had to go through that. I promise this is some kind of misunderstanding, and I’ll get to the bottom of it.” I love the feel of her arms around my waist, but they’re squeezing so hard they remind me of a vise. Regardless, I feel her love pouring into me.
I wasn’t sure how she would react to my being arrested for rape, but I’m so glad she still loves me.
“Come on, let’s go home, baby.” I hold out my hand.
She takes it then gives it a little shake, “Before we get back to your place, there’s something I need to tell you.”
This doesn’t sound good. “Well, okay…”
“Like everyone from Alabama is waiting for us back at your condo,” she says with a wince.
“That’s just fucking awesome!” I need to write a book because you just can’t make up this kind of shit. I’m sure it would sell a million copies.
“I’m sorry, Kane.”
“Come here, baby,” I pull her back into my arms, “I’m not upset with you, I would just rather for us to be alone.” I kiss her tenderly, “I have a lot to explain to you, and I want you to understand everything. Just don’t leave me, Oakley.”
“Why would you think I would leave you? I would have already been gone, if that were the case.”
I pull back from my beautiful kind-hearted girl. “I’m sure over the next few months, things will be said about me, some really nasty things. I’m not saying I’ve ever been an angel, goodness knows that’s the truth, but I’m asking you to stand beside me because without you I can’t do this.”
“Kane, I’ll always be on your side.”
“You say that now, but when we get back around all of your family, Oakley, they’re going to do everything in their power to change your mind.” I move a strand of her hair behind her ear. Even if she wasn’t as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside, she’d still be the most amazing creature to ever walk. I wish I could say the same for myself. My insides are ugly and they’ve never had a chance to be beautiful, but Oakley, she shines enough for the both of us.
“They can try all they want, but they can’t make me change my mind. I’m in love with you, Kane. The quicker you start believing that, I think the better you’ll be.”
“I did some fucked up stuff in the past, Oakley. I don’t want it to hurt you. Just please know my feelings for you are true. There’s no one in the world like you, and I’m so glad you’re mine. I love you more than breathing.”
“Kane—”
“No, let me finish. I love your heart because you loved me when no one else did. I love your eyes because you always see the good in me. I love your voice because you use it to stand up for us. You’re always kind, not to just me, but to everyone.” I take my thumb and wipe away a lone tear sliding down her face. “Don’t cry, baby.”
“Then quit being so sweet.”
She kisses me so intensely everything stands still. For the briefest of moments, I think perhaps the Earth even stops spinning on its axis.
“Then let’s go face all of them together,” I say. “It’s just you and me against… every freaking body else. Whatta you say?”
“That sounds like a plan,” she says, planting another little kiss, sealing our deal.
It doesn’t take nearly long enough for us to get back home. I do dread having to deal with Clay and probably big brother Cash but they can’t have my girl. I’ll fight to the end to keep her.
After putting the car in park, Oakley hops out. “We can do this! Team Kanely for the win.”
“Oh, if you’re going to give us a name, make it sound less girly, how about Koak?”
“That sounds like a drug.”
I open the door to my condo and prepare myself for World War III.
“Pack your bags, Baby Girl, you’re going home,” Clay tells her through clenched teeth.
“Like hell, she’s staying right here with me.” I move Oakley behind me.
“You’ve already taken advantage of her, asshole. You got her pregnant then raped someone,” Cash says while rolling up his sleeves.
“Wait just one minute here.” Mercy holds up one of her hands.
“Guys, I’m not pregnant. I just said that to shock y’all, but you need to realize that I love Kane and I’m not going anywhere without him.”
“See, she’s not having a baby,” Mercy says, nodding her head. “They clearly love each other; you both need to stay out of her love life. You certainly wouldn’t want anyone in your love lives.”
“Yeah, but he’s already screwed up. He went out and raped someone. He doesn’t deserve a second chance,” Clay says, fisting his hands.
“What if Lizzie hadn’t given you a second chance?” Oakley asks.
“This isn’t anywhere near the same, I didn’t cheat on her,” Clay says.
“No, Dude, but you left with another woman and didn’t come back or call her,” Ryder reminds him.
“Well, you did purposely withhold information from her,” Bailey raises her eyebrows.
“What about what Kane did to me and to Megan?” Lizzie says with her hands on her hips.
“You’re a drama queen and Megan’s a whore,” Bailey says.
“So, you’re on their side?” Lizzie stomps her foot.
“Why does there have to be sides at all?” Denise says, making the best point of her life.
“Exactly, Denise, why should we have sides?” Levi asks, looking around the room. “Kane never did anything that one of us hasn’t done in the past. Plus, Lizzie, you used Kane before you and Clay started dating. Don’t try to act all innocent; you came on strong.”
“Alright, settle down. I’ll accept that you guys are together, not like there’s much I can do about it anyway.” Clay walks up and gets in my face, “You hurt my little sister, and I’ll fucking end your life.”
“That’s as much as we can ask for, Clay. You don’t have to worry about me hurting Oakley. She’s mine and I take care of what’s mine.”
“Now that’s all settled, let’s go eat. I’m starving,” Bailey says, rubbing her already tiny baby bump.
“Heck, Bailey, when is your baby due? I thought you just found out.” Oakley says.
“Well, I actually found out right after our honeymoon,” Bailey says, looking down, and putting her hair behind her ear.
“What? Why didn’t you tell me?” Lizzie shrieks.
“We wanted to get out of the first trimester to make sure there were no complications,” Cash says, beaming from ear to ear.
“Now, can we go eat?” Bailey asks, holding up both of her hands.
“Y’all go ahead, I think Kane and I are going to stay here,” Oakley says.
“Yeah, I didn’t sleep last night, and I need to sit here to decompress.” I walk them to the door.
“Well, I hate that we have to run, Oakley, but I’ve got to feed this baby,” Bailey lovingly rubs her belly again.
I bet a million dollars that she’ll make a great mother. She already loves this child more than my mother loves me.
“Now that they’re all gone, how about we go mess up your sheets?” Oakley says, while walking backward in my arms.
“You’re gonna be my little spoon right now, but when we wake up, I’ll do the horizontal tango with you,” I let go of her so I can strip.
28
Oakley
The next morning, we awake to a crispness in the air. Fall has arrived in Tennessee, bringing a host of oranges, golds and reds, and the hint of chill in the air makes me want to curl up with a hot cup of tea and a good book. I’ve always loved this time of year, wearing sweaters and boots. What I love most is that it’s snuggle weather. Burying myself under the covers with Kane is the best thing ever. Sleeping with my back to him, and his firm hold on me keeps me feeling safe and content. Waking up next to him is a dream come true for me.
“Mornin’, Babe,” Kane says, sitting up in bed.
“No, you can’t get up, it’s too cold. Come back here under the covers where it’
s nice and toasty,” I say tugging on his arm.
“I’m going to start a pot of coffee then I’ll be back, but only for a few more minutes. I’ve got a ton of things I need to do today. I’ve got to get to the bottom of this Gretchen thing.” He slings his legs over the side of the bed and stands.
Man, he has a nice ass. “As long as you do it all naked, I want to watch your ass while you walk away.”
Kane glances over his shoulder. “Only for you, Babe, will I walk around naked. Are you going to walk around naked for me, too?”
“Are you crazy? It’s too cold for that shit!” I tell him and giggle.
“I’ll turn the heat up to eighty degrees, don’t doubt me.”
“Go start the coffee and come back to bed with me. I need a little attention this morning.” That’s my clever way of asking for sex without coming right out and saying it.
He yells as he trots to the kitchen with his junk dangling free. “You’re insatiable, I freaking love that about you.”
I love this man. Why the world can’t see his compassion, I’ll never know. It just makes me more determined than ever to foster a relationship between Kane and Deb. He needs a support team, and I think she’d be there for him. I wonder where Ruby was when he needed her. I didn’t even think about her when Kane was carted off to jail. I turned to my brother like always. I’m so grateful that he’s accepting my relationship with Kane because I’m hell bent that somebody’s gonna be there for him, besides me.
“Here you go, Miss Sunshine.” Kane hands me a cup of coffee.
“Miss Sunshine?” I lift an eyebrow, blow on my coffee, and take a sip.
“Everything is brighter with you around.” Kane sets his mug on the nightstand.
I lift the covers. “Get in bed before I…”
“Before you what?” He smirks at me before he slides in beside me.
“Well, I guess now we’ll never know because you did as you were told.” I set my coffee down, too. Reaching in the drawer, I pull out my lip balm. I go around my lips twice, making sure they will tingle.
Love Me ~ Through the Storm Page 15