Her ecstatic energy brings a smile to my face. “Yeah, it’s me. Been a while. How are you?”
“I’ve thought about you a lot over the years.”
“Same here.”
Serena was my lawyer and represented me when Victoria planted drugs and illegal guns in my truck. While Serena did everything she could, it wouldn’t have mattered because Victoria had already sabotaged the outcome. I know she felt bad, but there was nothing more she could do.
“So tell me, how’s life? What’s new?”
I chuckle at her eagerness and give a quick update.
“I’m glad, Tyler. You deserve good things.”
“How’s your little guy?” I ask. She was a single mom the last time we talked.
“Not so little anymore! He’s six and going into first grade this year.”
“Wow, time flies, huh?”
“Yes, it does.” She lingers for a moment. “I have a feeling you didn’t call to shoot the shit. What’s going on?”
“It’s Victoria,” I tell her with a rushed breath.
“What the fuck is that bitch up to now? Is she trying to pin something else on you?”
“Not exactly,” I say and pause briefly before telling her about Eric and Amara.
“Oh my God,” she whispers. “That woman is worse than the devil himself.”
“What do you think I should do? Will this somehow backfire on me? Will she know I did a deposition?” Sassy finishes sniffing around a fire hydrant, then we continue down the sidewalk.
“It’s possible. Your name will be on the witness sheet, but whether she sees it or not, I can’t say. More than likely, she’ll use the family money to buy her way out of it.”
“I want to help Eric if I can, and if I can help fuck her life up the same way she did mine, that’d be a nice bonus.”
“I agree, but without specific details, it’s hard to give a green light on this. Can you have him set up a conference call with you, me, and the prosecutor? That way we can ask more questions before you make a decision.”
“Yeah, I’ll ask him as soon as I get home.”
“Great, just text me what he says. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“You were always a great friend even though we hardly knew each other. I really appreciate it, Serena.”
“What you did for Liam and Maddie is admirable, so I was happy to help, even if I feel like I didn’t.” She chuckles.
We wrap up the call a few minutes later, and after Sassy does her business, I walk her back. Once we’re inside, I refill her water and food, then text Eric. Less than ten minutes later, he responds.
Eric: I’ll set it up and get back with you on the date and time.
Tyler: Sounds good. Thanks.
I text Serena, then grab some clothes and go to the bathroom to rinse off the day’s sweat. As I stand with the stream beating against my back, I lower my head and suck in a deep breath. I can’t believe after five years, I’m being brought back into Victoria’s corrupt life. If she finds out I’m helping Eric and the prosecution’s case, she’ll come for me.
And if she does, she won’t just plant drugs and guns.
She’ll make sure to end me for good.
CHAPTERTWELVE