Page 88 of Something True


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Chapter 36

The door handle slipped from my fingers and started to swing shut between us. I caught it just in time and said, "What?"

Joel let out a long breath. "And I just got out."

I had no idea what to say, other than to ask the obvious question. "For what?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why were you arrested?"

"For being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

My gaze narrowed. "And where was that, exactly?"

"A fight."

Damn it.I knew it. Still, hoping for the best, I said, "Were you watching a fight, or–?"

"No."

"So you were fighting?"

"Almost."

"What doesthatmean?"

"It means the fight was busted before I went on."

"But you were still arrested?"

He gave a tight shrug. "Like I said, wrong place, wrong time."

I sighed. "You were filling in for Cal, weren't you?"

His gaze grew intense. "I had to."

"Why?"

"Because I owed him."

I knew what he meant. He owed him because of me. And as a result, he'd ended up in jail.

I had no idea how I felt. Relieved that he had a decent reason for not calling? Horrified that he'd been in jail? Or scared to death that he was still in some sort of trouble?

My head was swimming. It was all of those things and more. I said, "So, what are you? Out on bail or something?"

Joel shook his head. "No. I'm out, period."

"How?"

"The charges were dropped."

"Against everyone?"

"No. Not everyone."

It suddenly struck me that we were still standing in the open doorway. I had a million questions, but the way it looked, no time to ask them. But whywasthat? I just had to know. "And why are you in such a rush?"