"We couldn't do that," Milo protests. "Because you guys vetoed using the basement as a holding cell. That was our idea," he continues, pointing to Tillie and Iris, “but noooooooo. You said it was ‘debrafed’. And you let Levi and Zane turn it into a gaming room, which is cool, but not appropriate for prisoners, or suspects who've been brought in for questioning."
"The word is ‘depraved,’ " I tell him. "With ‘p’ and ‘v’.”
Van starts laughing. "That's what you're leading with? Your siblings are holding me hostage and you're concerned about pronunciation, Jos?" His smile is no less devastating than it wasa week ago, his eyes still a clear blue, his skin a little too tan for the dead of winter, his curls pulled back in a lazy bun at the nape of his neck. He looks every bit as beautiful—and every bit as strong—as he ever did. For a moment, it's easy to forget about the past few weeks. Right now, I'm not thinking about his injury or our breakup or even our tutoring arrangement and his finals. I'm just thinking about how much I've missed him.
But that's dangerous. And foolish. He's probably here because his finals are coming up and he needs help.
"I'm always concerned with pronunciation," I tell him.
"True," he laughs. "Christ, I've missed you, Jos. I have no right to, I know that. I pushed you away and all you wanted to do was help. I was angry and hurt, but none of that matters. All that matters?—"
"Hold up, Romeo," Milo interrupts, stepping in between Van and me. "You can save all that for the judge."
I turn to see Iris climbing up on Dad’s uncomfortable chair in the corner. He loved that chair as much as we all hated it, and he would laugh now, seeing Tillie help Iris scale a mountain of pillows to perch up high and preside over us all. She looks the part, too. She's wearing my high school graduation robe (that's doubled many times as a wizard robe) and she's got a white wig on that’s probably part of a zombie costume. It's quite a look, but the intention is clear: she's gone full barrister. The outfit is accessorized by the mallet from Zane's drum kit, which is no doubt serving as her gavel.
"Order in the court!" she calls, and she really must be the boss of us all, because we turn our attention to her makeshift bench.
46
Van
Josie started to untie me, but never actually finished, so I'm still mostly tied to a wooden chair. But my left hand is free, so that's a plus. And there's a part of my brain that is actively making plans for exactly what to do with this chair and these ties once her family leaves.
Assuming, of course, that Josie doesn't boot me out of her life permanently for being such a dumbass.
And even if she does, no one in her family shows any sign of leaving.
In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm about to be put on trial by a trio of elementary school kids.
When I asked for a lawyer, Iris gave the nod, and Milo presented me with Baby Lala, a headless doll.
Iris cracks her gavel and court is in session. I’ve never been to actual court, but I bet it’s not this crazy. The kids are firing off questions and I’m answering them as best I can.
“Are you the boy who broke Josie’s heart?” Tillie wants to know.
Before I can admit my mistakes, Milo’s volleying accusations my way. “Are you or are you not working with Mr. Bilson to hide dead bodies in his garage and sell them for parts?”
“Uh, definitely not,” I answer.
Levi’s laughing his ass off and Zane’s sitting in the corner, watching. I have no idea where he got a giant plate of nachos, but now I’m hungry.
“If Josie forgives you, will you marry her?” Tillie’s playing hardball and I like her style.
Josie doesn’t even let me field that one. “Okay, you three, you've had your fun, but Van didn't come here to play Court TV.” She turns to me, her cheeks flushed. "Let me finish untying you. Did you want help studying before your finals? Is that why you came? Unless you're not taking them? I know you weren't sure?—"
"No," I say quickly. "I mean, yes, I am staying at Bainbridge. And yeah, I could definitely use some help studying, but no, Jos, that isn't why I came here."
The room goes silent except for a chorus of "Oooooh". I’m pretty sure it’s led by Levi.
It’s time to lay it all out. "I came here for you, Jos. To apologize, yes. To beg for forgiveness I probably don't deserve."
Josie’s shaking her head. "Van, you were hurt and I?—"
"No, Jos," I say, lifting my one free hand and placing a finger on her lips. "Don't make excuses for me. I was an ass. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for pushing you away and for the things I said."
"Um, can we get back to the trial?" Milo asks.
"No," Josie says, just as I say, "Yes."
