CONVICTED

by Pelton, Kristi

  “What?”

  I nodded. “Yep. Good behavior. They need room for more violent offenders.”

  “Hot damn, brother!”

  My smile grew wider at his happiness.

  “You tell me the date and I’ll be outside these walls ready to pick you up.”

  “I know you will.” Even though I’d had more time to process this than him, it was incredibly hard to wrap my head around the fact that this would all be over this month. I didn’t have a clue what life held for me outside of these walls. I had no money. No job. No place to live. For all those reasons, I had little hope. But like always, I’d find a way.

  _______________

  The second my things were returned to me, memories blasted my mind. The jeans, t-shirt and boots were all things I’d gotten while at Briscoe Ranch. I had no idea where or if I’d get the things back that I’d taken to the ranch. When they emptied the envelope and the necklace fell out onto the counter, I breathed an extra deep breath. Outside of the mental memories, this was all I had left of Ren Briscoe. Physical proof that it wasn’t all in my head. Then the guard plopped down two stacks of rubber-banded letters. Ren’s letters. I quickly slid the necklace around my neck, picked up the ridiculous number of letters and followed him out.

  When I entered the prison every click of every gate had represented incarceration. Captivity. But, as I walked through those gates this time, it was just the opposite. It wasn’t possible for freedom to have a smell, but damn did I smell it. Then, the sunshine crashed onto my face, and I smiled. Every second of every minute was worth this time for Abby.

  A catcall whistle drew my attention. Brax and his girl stood out the top of a topless Jeep waving.

  “That must be your ride,” the guard said with a grin.

  “Yes, sir.”

  The final gate opened. Oxygen and freedom mingled in the air. Ten more steps and my pace quickened just a bit. Brax jumped from the Jeep, meeting me halfway right outside the gate.

  “Thank God, brother.”

  Our embrace was snug but swift.

  “Nice ride.”

  “Yeah, it’s Ella’s. She insisted on the top down thinking confinement in the backseat was the last thing you needed.” He patted my back like always.

  “I like her already.”

  I was surprised when we didn’t drive to the trailer but to a duplex. A really nice duplex.

  “I know damn good and well this isn’t your place,” I teased Brax, leaning up to his ear.

  Ella cut the engine and opened her door.

  “Ella and I moved in together about three months ago,” he said.

  Holy shit. Brax had it bad for this chic.

  I followed them inside. The place was perfect for them. A home. And absolutely nothing like the trailer. White walls. Matching furniture. Pictures on the walls. A cinnamon scent lingered in the room. No dishes on the counter. Happiness radiated through me for Brax. No one was more deserving than him. Brax darted into the bathroom.

  “Joss, this is your room,” Ella said pointing down the hall.

  I spun around staring at her.

  “My room?”

  She smiled the warmest of smiles.

  “Yes,” she giggled. “That was part of the deal when we moved in together. The brother package. He loves you very much you know.”

  Overcome with emotion, I stepped into the room with a bed and a dresser. The room was bright from the oversized window. Gray curtains and a gray comforter. I had no words.

  “He’s put a few things in the dresser. I’ll leave you be. Let you get settled.”

  “Ella,” I paused. “Thank you.”

  She must have sensed my discomfort. She walked out the door and then I heard them in the hallway.

  “I’ve shown him his room.”

  “Thanks, baby.”

  I grinned at the term of endearment as Brax rounded the corner into my room.

  “Thanks, baby,” I teased, lifting my hands to show my appreciation for the room.

  He punched my shoulder laughing. I wanted to offer him a more sincere thank you; and it was on the tip of my tongue, but I was fearful that if the words made their way out, I’d choke on emotion.

  “We are both off work today, but starting tomorrow, you’ll have the place to yourself.”

  “Nah, man. I gotta go get a job too. I’ll contribute any way I can.”

  Brax nodded. “Fair enough. Just take some time to adapt.”

  He was almost out of the room, before I finally said it. “Thanks, man.”

  “Ride or die, brother,” he said, already halfway in the hall. “Ride or die.”

  _______________

  Landscaping was going to be hard work, but it was the only thing I’d found where I could start right away. There was no way I was going to let Ella or Brax down. The days were basically sun up to sun down just like on the ranch. The work took little to no thought, mainly just physical strength. By the time I got home in the evenings, I’d crash, which gave Brax and Ella alone time anyway. It wasn’t like I didn’t think of Ren. She was in and out of my mind all day. And night. Summer vacation for colleges started soon, and I wondered if she’d return home.

  I’d met Brax and Ella for Mexican food out on a cool, little outdoor patio. This was obviously their attempt at getting me out of the house. Honestly, I’d become a bit of a hermit.

  “Joss,” Ella shouted, which startled me because it wasn’t her normal demeanor.

  As I approached the table, four sets of eyes rested on me like I was the main meal. Brax shook his head in silent warning for me to turn and leave, but the shit eating grin on his face made me smile.

  “Hello everyone,” I greeted, taking the only open seat.

  “Joss, these are my friends and fellow teachers. Hannah, Emma, Jaycee and Zoey.”

  “Hi, ladies. Nice to meet you.” I sure the hell didn’t remember any of my teachers looking like these girls.

  “What can I get you?” the waiter asked.

  “I’ll take a beer.”

  “So, what do you do?” one of the ladies asked.

  “Right now, I’m doing landscaping. Trying to figure some things out.”

  I couldn’t possibly see how a guy living with his brother and his brother’s girlfriend, no car, barely any money could be appealing to anyone. But, through several rounds of drinks, one woman kept putting her hand on my knee while another kept leaning into me exposing her tits and laughing at any dumb thing I said.

  I was rusty and not in the game on how to handle them. Abby would have pouted about the flirting, and Ren would have called them bitches and punched me in the arm for even joining in the conversation. For some reason, that was all I could think about.

  Ella ended up paying for the evening, which surprised me. It wasn’t like she and Brax were rolling in the dough. Then the two of them ditched me. And by the looks on the faces of the two girls still with me, there was an ulterior motive.

  “We’ll give you a ride,” one of them said, which in all actuality was a joke because neither of them were fit to drive. Nine minutes later, we were in an Uber with some guy named Diego driving us down the road.

  Hannah and Zoey flanked me on each side. I had a hunch of their motive.

  “Joss. We are pretty drunk, but, uh, we were thinking maybe the three of us could…like…well, wanna come home with us?”

  Diego’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. I had no clue if he was gay or straight, but his eyes danced with excitement.

  “I am flattered, ladies. However, I am going to have to pass.”

  Hannah reached over to cup my dick. Ren had been the last woman to touch me and this intrusion didn’t settle well. “Please. It would be a first for both of us. No strings attached,” she whispered as she tried to stroke me.

  My gaze raised to meet hers. She was definitely beautiful. Maybe I should take them up on it, just to get Ren out of my head. Then it registered that my body didn’t respond to her touch. At all. I allowed he
r to rest her hand there for a minute before I calmly took her hand, squeezing her wrist just the slightest bit.

  “Like I said, I’m sorry. I’m going to have to pass.”

  “You can let me off here,” I said, nudging Diego, who immediately pulled over to the curb.

  Zoey stepped out. “I’m sorry, Joss. We didn’t mean to upset you.”

  I studied her pretty face. “Seriously, it’s not you,” I whispered. “I’ve been away for a while and my mind is pre-occupied with someone else.”

  She smiled. “I understand. She’s a lucky girl.”

  I said my goodbyes to the freaky little school teachers, chuckling at the situation, but anger and regret boiled beneath the surface. Ren Briscoe was the most prevalent and predominant thought in my head. Four months, I’d refused her letters and talked myself out of loving her. It took another girl touching my cock to make me realize how much I missed her. My lack of response, lack of desire to be part of every guy’s threesome dream, was a true measure of where my heart remained even after all this time.

  When I reached the duplex, I barged through the door in search of Brax, furious at him for putting me in that spot. He and Ella were curled up on the sofa watching a movie when I lit the room, flipping on the overhead light.

  “What the hell kind of move was that?”

  Brax chuckled, but Ella’s eyes fell to the floor as she gnawed on the side of her lip.

  “We thought Hannah and Zoey might show you some fun. All you’ve been doing is working lately. Plus, maybe getting laid would un-sour your mood.”

  “I don’t need you to help me get laid. I’ll fuck someone when I’m ready.”

  Brax stepped up, glaring at me. “Don’t speak that way around Ella.”

  My eyes flickered over to her. We’d never had to watch our mouths before. Two little, rounded, blue eyes peeked up as she shook her head. “It’s ok. I shouldn’t have done that, Joss. I’m sorry.”

  “No. Don’t say sorry, baby. You thought you were helping.”

  Feeling awful for making Ella feel bad, I sat, the fight surrendering to reality.

  “Look, I’m sorry. I’m just not ready for that.”

  “Because of the Briscoe girl?” Brax asked in an accusing way.

  “What difference does it make?”

  “I just think you need to get over her. It’s been months.”

  I stood, offering Ella a slight, tight smile. “Goodnight, Ella.” Then, my finger jetted into Brax’s face. “You don’t get to tell me when to move on. I’ll move on when I am God damn good and ready. You got that?”

  I wanted to slam the bedroom door after storming down the hall, but I closed it as quietly as I could working on being a better me. I dropped to the floor, knocking out push-ups until fatigued. I rolled over to stare up at the ceiling. Maybe I should have slept with the two girls. Maybe being with them would have cleared my mind. I don’t know…

  A little while later, while trying to find sleep, I heard a sound I’d heard a thousand times before growing up—the familiar, gentle tap.

  “Yeah?” I asked.

  Brax poked his head in. “Can I come in?”

  I nodded but only once. Irritation still lingered. He sat on the foot of my bed with a manila envelope in his hand.

  “What’s up?”

  “Two things,” he said flashing on the light. He tossed me a set of keys. “The truck. Your truck. It’s fixed and ready to go.”

  A dry swallow came to a screeching halt in my throat. I fingered the familiar keys.

  “It’s a set of wheels. I also know it’s a set of memories. I didn’t want to sell it. I wanted that to be your choice.”

  I released a stifled breath. “Thanks, man.”

  “Here. These are some things I kept for you. Clippings about Abby. About you. I think there are some things that you might find interesting.” His eyes were serious. Not angry. But concerned.

  I opened the envelope, dumping the clippings out on the bed and began sorting through them. He sat with me as I read the articles on Abby’s death, my trial, the trial of the fucking asshole that killed her. We’d sat there for a good deal of time when I looked at him.

  “What am I missing?” I asked, knowing he had a specific reason for showing me this stuff.

  He thumbed through the articles that I’d already read and singled out the one of Abby’s funeral. He tapped the photo in the article. “Look closely.”

  I lifted it up, staring at the grainy photo of the funeral. My lips slowly parted as recognition settled in. Sitting next to the casket were Abby’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Whitman, and right next to them, the entire Briscoe family. Cal, Ren and what I would guess to be Ren’s mother. Stunned, I slowly raised my gaze to Brax, who lifted a brow in question. My head about just about exploded as I saw fucking red.

  Chapter 37

  Trailer trash…

  Ren

  THE RANCH WAS nothing without Joss, and there was no part of me that even wanted to be there without him. The upside, memories while here kept me going. No matter where I looked or where I rode Juliet, I saw us. Memories of us. I hadn’t planned to ever come back here after what my dad had done. But he had begged. I only agreed to try if he agreed to get some help for his issues with Reese. With me. With Joss. With everything. I’d only been back two days when I decided to drive to the single wide trailer where I had found Brax to see if Joss was home. He’d been released. Sal told me he had. I hadn’t asked Sal how he knew. But he knew.

  The road leading to the trailer was overgrown and the drive was a mixture of gravel, dirt and mud. I was so hopeful that either Joss or Brax would be there. Even though it was daytime, a light was on near the front window. In fact, I looked close and there didn’t appear to be a screen. The entire place seemed to be falling apart. Sadness weaved its way through my heart as I parked and walked through the muddy drive and walkway up to the cinder block steps. The thought of Joss living here. I knocked lightly at first and after no answer, a little more forcefully. I heard something inside and hope sprang to life.

  The door swung open and a thin man stood in the doorway, swaying.

  “Hello, little darlin,” he mumbled.

  I smiled. “Hello. Is Joss home?”

  He stepped back, allowing me entry. “Sure. Come on in.”

  A rancid smell clung to the back of my throat as I covered my nose and mouth. Everything in the place seemed to be rotting, including the soft, decaying floor. I wasn’t sure I could stay inside.

  “What’sure name and I’tellum you’re here.” His words garbled together, but I made out what he asked. An old stench of liquor hugged him closely.

  “Ren,” I said softly, trying not to breathe.

  “Come on, Ren. I’ll show you where he is.”

  As I followed him, the hair on the back of my neck stood right before a mouse scurried across the floor where I walked. A shiver rippled down my spine. I stopped, causing the floor to creak. When he turned around with wild eyes, I did too, deciding to get the hell out of there. Nothing about it felt right. Joss’s father grabbed my shoulder, mostly the material of my shirt, ripping the t-shirt off my shoulder as I tried to pull away.

  I screamed, “Joss!” Joss didn’t come. No one came. No one heard me except the disgusting rodents.

  Joss’s father stumbled over his own two feet toward me, his forehead cracking my cheekbone before he tumbled to the ground. I fell backward, hitting the paneling and then back stepped away from him, running for the front door, jumping off the cinder blocks and sprinting to my Rover. Tears instantly clouded my eyes, but I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from getting the hell out of there. Once I got far enough away, I pulled over, burying my face in my trembling hands. That was Joss’s father. The man Joss grew up with. My heart shattered, knowing how he’d lived. Wondering how his father provided for him and Brax. As I wiped my face, all I could think about was finding Joss. I’d never needed him more than in that moment but had no idea where to find him.
I certainly didn’t believe he was in that trailer.

  Chapter 38

  Screw attempted murder…

  Joss

  A SOLID TEN over the speed limit is what I drove to get to Briscoe Ranch. Brax’s motorcycle was the easiest and fastest way to get there. I didn’t like driving that fast on a motorcycle, but rage was a crazy thing. It made us do things that maybe we shouldn’t. Simply on the drive alone, there was plenty of time to think about what I was about to do. What I was going to say. To even possibly turn around. Yet, I was approaching my turn off, with nothing to say, not sure what I was going to do and still going full throttle.

  The front iron gate was less intimidating than I remembered. My finger jabbed the black button on the intercom system.

  “Joss?”

  It was Key’s voice. I never realized there was a camera, but she knew it was me.

  “Let me in.”

  The gates slowly began to open, and I raced through them straight up to the front door. I parked the bike, took the steps two at a time and barreled through the front door uninvited.

  “What’s wrong?” Key asked, surprise coloring her entire face and meeting me in the foyer.

  “Where’s Briscoe?”

  “What’s happened?”

  “Cal!” I shouted angrily.

  “You’re scaring me, Joss. I’m calling Sal.”

  “Call him. I don’t give a shit. Cal!” I stormed to the back door I’d come in and out of so many times, seeing my dark quarters out back.

  “Joss?” Cal’s voice came from behind me, and I spun around.

  His appearance paralyzed me for a long minute. Darkness circled his eyes and he looked thin. I wondered if he was sick.

  “How the hell did you know Abby? What kind of sick game are you playing with me, with my life?”

  Briscoe’s eyes fell, quicker than his shoulders, but they fell too. He began shaking his head from side to side and then fell back into a chair. His flannel shirt seemed unseasonal. The calloused hands appeared softer. And, given that it was May, his tan should be full-on, but it wasn’t. Even taking all of his appearance into consideration, it was only a mere drop of water on my inextinguishable fire.