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“What do you mean he has to stay overnight?” I ask the officer. “The so-called victim just told you that he doesn’t want you to charge Theo.”

“Sorry, but that’s the rule. We could smell alcohol on his breath. He admitted he had been drinking before the incident.”

“It’s not like he was driving under the influence!” I remark.

“Yeah, well, if someone’s under the influence assaulting people we keep them overnight to avoid any other altercations.”

“Okay. So, you’ll drop the charges and we can pick him up in the morning. What time should we come back? Monty asks.

“Seven a.m.”

“Great, then we’ll see you at seven,” he says.

“What? No,” I complain as I turn to Monty. “We can’t just leave him here!”

“Sorry, Maggie, but I don’t think we have a choice,” he replies.

Screw that.

“I’ll stay,” I blurt out. “Let me stay here with him tonight,” I beg the officer.

“Go home. Get a good night’s rest. Trust me, sweetheart. You don’t want to spend a minute in our jail cell,” he says. “Besides, you haven’t done anything wrong. I can’t just lock you up…”

I turn around and jab my fist into Wyatt’s gut. I don’t hit him hard, just enough to make him grunt in surprise.

“Now can I stay?” I ask the officer. “I’ve been drinking too.”

“Jesus,” he says with a shake of his head. “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” I reply. “I can’t leave him, so please don’t make me hit anyone else.”

11

Theo

Well, I’ve really fucked up now.

I never imagined that I would end up behind bars.

I put everything at risk all because I lost my temper on Maggie’s asshole ex.

Instead of spending the night sharing a busted bed or a new room with Maggie, I’m here. Alone.

A few hours ago, Maggie was kissing me like she never wanted to stop.

Now I’m sitting in a jail cell wondering if I ruined everything.

After getting arrested for hitting her ex, Maggie may never forgive me.

I look up when I hear footsteps in the otherwise small, silent jail. The same fifty-something graying officer who locked me up unlocks the cell door.

“Am I getting out on bond?” I ask him.

“No.” He gestures with his hand and steps aside, saying, “In you go, girly.”

Girly?

Once he moves aside, I see Maggie standing there in her gorgeous green dress looking all wrong in this dreary place and immediately I’m on my feet.