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BELLE
Makes for great sexual tension. We love that for you.
HANNAH
My eyes!!
I start typing out a private text to Han to check that she’s okay after what she’s gone through with that freak in Austin, but I’m interrupted by a call from a number I don’t recognize.
“Hello?”
The line crackles.
“Hello? Who’s there?”
“Marci?”
Billy’s voice comes down the line.
My pulse hops up a notch. It’s never good news with my brother, unfortunately, and I haven’t even told him about my “marriage” to Jesse. He hates him more than I do. Did. God.
“Marci, are you there?”
“Yeah, I’m here.”
I don’t bother asking him what he wants because he’ll tell me anyway.
“I need you to bail me out. Bail is $5,000.”
“What?” I say it so loud that Todd turns. “What? Billy, are you?—?”
“Yeah, that asshole ex of yours arrested me this morning,” he says. “For stealing that car. They’re talking about a third-degree felony. So yeah, the judge set my bail for $5,000, and I’m going to need you to help me. It’s $500 for my bond.”
“Billy, I’m kind of in the middle of trying to help you work off the debt from the last problem you presented me with,” I say.
“I don’t have much time to talk, Marce.” His voice goes soft. “I’ve been causing trouble for you lately, but I… Look, ever since Dad died, things have been tough for me.”
We’ve had this conversation so many times, I could mouth the words as he says them. Billy’s using our trauma as an excuse, but I’m not in a place where I can switch off my emotions around my brother.
“Marce, please help me.”
“I don’t have the money. For this or for your debt. I’m trying to figure this out, Billy, but the diner isn’t exactly making a lot and I have a loan to pay off.”
“So, take out a loan,” Billy says.
“A loan. To pay off your debt?”
“Yeah. Or, shit, you could sell the diner.”
I nearly hang up on him.
“We had this discussion. It’s not happening.”
“It was a suggestion, damn.”
I let out a rough breath.
“I love you, Billy, but I can’t afford to pay your bail. I suggest you get in touch with a bondsman.”
