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The mountain stops and turns back toward Trevor and me. “Know that this isn’t a request. It’s a summons,” he says to Trev.
As they get in the vehicles and drive away, I look at Trev. “What just happened?”
However, it’s Matthew who answers. “You’ve always had powerful friends and family. I believe they just revealed themselves to you. Now, Cody and Elise, I think she’s about to get a needed kick in the pants.”
“I think I need some wine,” I mutter.
***
I’ve been glued to the TV waiting for the evening news. Elise has yet to return to the house. If Cody wasn’t with her, I might be concerned.
I know that man would never allow anything to happen to her. I saw the look on his face. If anything, I could see him tossing her over his shoulder to kidnap her and take her somewhere until she agrees to reason.
Not my monkey, not my show. I’ve stayed out of grown folks’ business. If Elise didn’t feel safe, she wouldn’t have gotten in the car.
“Look, I think this is it,” Maggie says, pulling me from my musing.
I focus on the TV as someone turns it up. They are down at our old high school. It looks like they’re having some type of rally.
“We’re down at the old high school of Bradley Monroe, the formal NFL star quarterback. The same high school his older brother Trevor Monroe attended. It seems the community has come out in support of Trevor Monroe after recent accusations of violence against his now ex-wife.
“This community claims this isn’t behavior Mr. Monroe is known for. To them he’s a loving, hardworking father of four. A few have brought Miss Lancaster’s character and credibility into question but have agreed on one thing as a whole.
“Mr. Monroe has been a protector of those in the community, never a predator. If you listen to the chanting behind me. You can hear them say I stand with Trevor Monroe.
“Oh wait, they’re about to have someone else speak. Let’s listen in,” the reporter says.
“My name is Courtney Jennings. I was born and raised three towns over. Heck, Trevor Monroe and I were rivals in high school. Now that I know he’s dating LG, I’m really jealous. Don’t tell my wife I said that.”
The crowd laughs at this as he chuckles. I hold my breath, wondering where he’s going with this. This could backfire in an instant.
“When I heard about this, it broke my heart because that’s not the kid I knew, and it’s not the man I know now. We lost a game to Trevor and y’alls football team my junior year. I dropped a pass that could have won us the game.
“My team was hard on me. I had some things going on at home at the time too. Trevor noticed and pulled me aside. His words that night restored my confidence and made the ride home on that bus bearable.
“That weekend, Trevor Monroe was waiting on this very field like he promised to toss the ball around with me. He helped me up my game and eventually I ended up in the NFL.
“When I came back to Texas with a wife who knew nothing about the area and a small child, Trevor Monroe didn’t just design and build a house for me. He had his sister help my wife out to learn the area and babysit a time or two while I was away on the road.
“That’s the Trevor Monroe, I know and the Trevor Monroe I support. I stand with Trevor Monroe,” Courtney finishes.
“And there you have it, folks. These are the types of speeches we’ve been hearing here at this rally of support. It seems LG isn’t alone in her support of the local construction worker. Not a bad picture has been painted of the man or his character. Back to you, Chris.”
I turn to Trevor and see his eyes are moist. That place was packed. People in the bleachers and on the field.
I pull Trev into a hug and hold him tight. When I lock eyes with Matthew, I mouth thank you.
He shoots me a nod and winks. I think we can start to put this one behind us. Crisis one averted.
Trevor
I had texted LaSalle to let him know things are changing for me. I don’t know if New York is the right thing for me now. Cakes and Moses could use my help here.
Stupidly, I had thought I was backing out of the deal. I hadn’t thought he and the others would show up and let me know that’s no longer an option. I guess it makes sense after all they’ve done for me.
“Are you thinking about what happened earlier?” Lynn asks as we lie in bed.
“A bit,” I reply honestly.
“You want to tell me what that was all about?”
