*Author's Note*
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What'd He Do?
Misty POV:
After Sherriff Maynard took Tolbert away, Brock rubbed my shoulder and suggested, "Let's get back to your room." I didn't say a word, just nodded my head. Brock didn't say another word either, just ushered me down the hall to my room. Once we reached my room, he opened the door and left me walk inside before followin' behind me. I was standin' by my dresser, takin' off my robe, whenever Brock closed the door and said, "Your regular's a jealous sort."
Shaking my head and going over to hang my robe up on the door hook, I sighed, "No, he's just a hot-head that's quick to fightin'."
When I turned away from the door, Brock was sitting shirtless on my bed. He shirt was thrown haphazardly on the corner chair. "I must say, I think he's quite fond of you." He chuckled as I made my way over to the bed. "Why else would he fight me over time with you?" He rhetorically asked as I joined him on the bed.
"We're friends and our folks are neighbors." I answered the handsome dark-haired man's question as propped my pillow against the headboard before leanin' 'gainst it.
Leanin' 'gainst the headboard next to me, Brock turned his attention to me and bluntly stated, "He's not your friend, Misty. If he truly was, he wouldn't be your regular, but he'd be helping you get out of this whorehouse." I narrowed my eyes at him, causin' him to add onto his blunt remark with a lengthy explanation of, "Frankly, darlin', he enjoys your work cause it means he's got a stable girl. Since ya'll know each other from childhood he can just waltz his way in and out anytime he pleases, giving you enough money to take him on every night so he doesn't have to lay in his cold bed at home all alone; usin' his hand to take care of himself."
"And what 'bout you? With your handsome looks you must be somebody's regular back in Louisville." I countered a bit bitterly.
"I'm in law school and live in a dorm at the University of Louisville. I can't afford to be somebody's regular cause if I get caught out of my dorm after curfew I can get kicked out of school." He answered matter-of-factly as he folded his arms over his chest.
"Oh…" I trailed off with a nod.
"But I do see whores from time to time on the weekends, but it's nothin' like what your lil 'friend' has goin' on with you." Brock added with a thin smirk on his handsome face. I didn't miss how he seemed to sneer out a word friend a bit sarcastically. It was clear as day to me that Brock didn't like Tolbert. I think right now the feeling's mutual since he's he reason the rowdy redhead's in jail right now.
"I bet there's plenty of whorehouses to choose from in Louisville since it's a big city." I told the man next to me mainly as a way to keep the conversation flowin' since I didn't feel like doin' the trick wit' him at the moment.
"There is." He confirmed wit' a nod. Turnin' onto his side and stretchin' his hand out to tuck a stray strand of blonde hair behind my ear, he smiled, "But I've never met a whore as captivatin' and interesting as you, darlin'."
Blushin' and downcastin' my gaze, I denied, "No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are." Brock confirmed, gently brushin' his thumb over my bruised cheek; causin' my to wince involuntarily. His face fell and he sighed, "Your cheek'll be bruised for half a month from how hard ya got hit.", while removin' his hand from my tender cheekbone.
"He didn't mean it." I defended Tolbert despite havin' a plum bruised cheek that was tender and ached everytime I talked.
"No, I suppose not, but he should've stop throwin' punches as soon as he saw you on my arm." Brock told me as he rolled over on his back to lean up 'gainst the pillows an' headboard. Turnin' his head to look at me, he added in, "Any decent man would've at least."
"Tolbert's not exactly what one would call decent."
"I can see that." He dryly remarked.
I didn't say a word, just nodded slightly. In return Brock stayed quiet too.
Tolbert POV:
This was fuckin' bullshit. Weren't fair that I was locked up in a cage cause Misty got in the way when I was swingin' at Brock Brooksdale. Goddamnit, he would be the lil brother of Senator Brooksdale. I hit Misty accidental, but since I marred his paid for property Lil Brooksdale had a cow; got me arrest.
God, I hated sittin' in my assigned corner cell bunk. Nothin's worse then sittin' 'round watchin' a dumbass deputy playin' a solo game of cards. Hell, at least Sherriff Maynard talk wit' me from time to time. Of course, the sherriff's out delieverin' the news of my arrest to Perry Cline, who's hostin' the fuckin' senator brother of Brock for dinner since they're friends. Yea…I got shit for luck since Perry ain't gonna bail me out once him an' his friend hears why I'm in jail.
"Want any coffee?" The dumbass deputy asked as he stood up from his desk an' went ov'r to the stove that a stale pot o'coffee was restin' on.
"No." I gruffly told the man, causin' him to just nod and pour himself a cup.
Hell, I hate bein' in jail. It's all Brock's fault. Fuckin' bastard, if he weren't in town then I'd be in Misty's bed right now, fuckin' her an' drinkin' my weight in whiskey.
Meanwhile A Few Streets Away…
Perry POV:
I was having dinner with my old friend, Senator Brooksdale, and my niece Nova, who agreed to marry the senator before his reelection (hopefully he's reelected) next year, whenever a loud knock souned out at the door. Wiping the corner of my mouth with my napkin, I looked at Billings and asked, "Do you think you're brother made good on my offer and came over for dinner."
"No, I don't think so. He's most likely doing what he always does, which is live with a whore til it's time for Thanksgiving dinner."
"I'll go get the door, Uncle Perry." Nova told me, standing and quickly making her way out of the dining room.
"If it's a client tell them to go to my office first thing in the morning." I called out to my niece as she made her way down the hall towards the front door. "I hope it's your brother, for the sake of your family name and reputation."
Pickin' up his bourbon glass and sippin' it, Billings dryly chuckled, "Hell, Perry, I used to parade around the brothels and bars when I was his age so I'm not too concerned 'bout his antics."
"You should be since you're up for reelection next year." I responded, pickin' up my own glass and takin' a sip from it.
"Uncle Perry, Senator Billings, Sherriff Maynard's here to see you." Nova announced, walking into the dining with the portly old sherriff right behind her.
"Sherriff Maynard, what has my cousin's embarrassment of a son done now?" I asked the lawman, knowing that the only reason he'd be interrupting my dinner would be to tell me that Tolbert was jailed for some altercation.
Sherriff Maynard let out a long sigh before giving me the lengthy answer of, "Well, Lawyer Cline, he started a fight in the saloon with Senator Brooksdale's brother, Brock, and ended up landing a nasty hit to Misty Holway's cheek when Mr. Brooksdale was trying to leave with her after winning his fight with Tolbert."
Oh, of course they were fighting over Misty. At least Brock seemed to win her away from my son's uncouth son. Seems that Misty, despite her poor and rash decision to be a whore, has a level enough head on her shoulder to pick a respectable man to be with.
Billings lean back in his chair and looked at the sherriff while knowingly saying, "Well, I imagine Tolbert's in jail because my brother pressed for it."
"Yes, Senator Brooksdale, you're right. Brock did demand that I arrest Tolbert."
Looking between me, the sherriff, and her new fiancé, my niece asked, "Are you goin' to bail him out?"
Both Sherriff Maynard and Billings gave me inquisitive looks. They were curious about what my answer would be. If I said yes, then I'd be putting both my friendship and my niece's engagement at risk, but if I said no then I'd be turning my back on my own kin. Well, I suppose I'll just have to say no and then go pay Randall a quick after dinner visit to tell him of the atrocities his son has committed to land himself in jail once again. I'm sure I can spin something up that'll have him supporting my decision not to bail him out.
With a straight face, I simply told everyone, "No, I'm not bailing him out."
After pullin' my buggy to a stop right in front of my cousin's house, I climbed out of it and walked confidently up the porch. I had thought over a great speech to give Randall, one that I'm sure will have him turning on his drunken philanderin' brat. With a bounce in my step, I crossed the porch and went up to the front door. I fixed up my tie and stood up straight before knockin'.
The door opened, revealing Randall. "Perry, you missed supper. We done et; Sally an' the girls are cleanin' up just now too."
Takin' of my hat and tiltin' my head in my best empathetic gesture, I sighed, "Oh, Randall, if only I was here for supper and not to tell you that your son, Tolbert, has gotten himself arrested for assult." Before my cousin could utter a word, I continued my rehearsed speech with, "But this time I'm afraid that I can't bail him out. He attacked Brock Brooksdale, my good friend Senator Billing Brooksdale's brother, because the young man was spending time with Misty Holway, your neighbor that he seemed to convince to become his whore after she was thrown out for being caught in a compromisin' position in a barn by her father." Randall's eyes widened, but before he could speak, I quickly continued on with, "Brock called for Sherriff Maynard to arrest your son after he landed a rather hard hit to Misty's cheek. The girl didn't try to get the charges dropped, but instead let the sherriff take Tolbert to jail for the night." I slumped my shoulder and downcast my eyes slightly in a show of sadness and regret while tellin' Randall, "I'm sorry, cousin, but due to reason for his imprisonment, I can't bail out Tolbert. I'm sorry, but I can't condone his horrid actions by rewardin' him with freedom when a good day or two in the Pikeville jail's what he needs to perhaps rethink his rowdy ways."
"I understand why ya can't help my son, cousin. I'm sorry for what he did to the senator's son and that whore, he shouldn't 've done it." Randall told me, just like I knew he would.
I knew my cousin would side with me. He always does after I give him one of my speeches.
Shaw POV:
I was workin' the front of the family butcher shop, rearrangin' meat displays and such, whenever my wife came bustin' thru the door that led to the back (where my dad butchered meat and slaughtered animals). My dad was hot on Jessa's heels, his bloody meat cleaver in hand. My brows rose curiously as I looked at my wife. Jessa's words were a jumbled mess, but I managed to make out the phrase of, "Tolbert got himself thrown into jail last night for accidently hitting Misty when he was fightin' with Senator Brooksdales brother. Word has it that Perry refuses to bail him out; that the Brooksdale brother wants Tolbert locked up for a few days; that he pressed assault charges on Misty's account too."
"I ain'r surprised this happened. Only a matter-o-time 'fore he got jealous of one of her customers and tried to kill the man. Unfortunate that the man turned out to be a homegrown politician's brother." My dad let out in an 'oh well' type of tone as he leaned 'gainst the doorway seperatin' the front of the shop from the back.
"Shit…" I let out in a heavy sigh. "His hot-head sure did get him in a heap of trouble this time." Takin' off my butcher's apron and settin' it on the counter, I announced, "I'll go talk to the senator's brother, see if he'll drop the charges since Thanksgivin's in a few days and everybody's a bit tightly wound right now."
"Good luck, son. I doubt a rich man's gonna listen to ya, but you can try." My dad told me as I walked out from behins the counter, heading to the door.
"Why don't you just bail out Tolbert?" Jessa asked right before I reached the shop's door.
"He might be my best friend, but I ain't spendin' my hard-earned money on him." I bluntly, but honestly, told my wife before flingin' open the door and walkin' out of the shop.
I wasn't worried 'bout what people were gonna say or think when they saw me makin' my way down the street towards the whorehouse since I worked wit' my dad as a butcher and had business dealin's 'bout meat wit' Wiggins. I reckon folks'll just think that my dad sent me down to the saloon to discuss a meat order wit' Wiggins. I didn't give a shit either way; talk never bothered me none.
Once I reached the saloon, I walked thru the swingin' doors only to spot Misty and Senator Brooksdale's brother sittin' at a table, sharin' a large plate of greasy sausage, eggs, and biscuits. Dear god, it was bad 'nough that she took on a rich client that got our friend arrested on bullshit charges, but now she's ettin' breakfast with 'im too. Hell, I hope he's payin' her a lot of money for this horse shit entertainment.
AS I went up to their table, Brooksdale grabbed a saugage link, leaned into Misty's side, and told her somethin' with a big smirk on his face. Misty just giggled in response as the dark-haired man, who reminded me of a picture of Samuel Adams I once saw in a history book when I was a boy in school, took a large bite of his sausage link. I loudly cleared my throat to announce my presence; makin' Misty and the senator's brother turn their attention to me. Misty didn't say a word, but the rich prick did. "I'm sorry, but she's all mine til Thanksgivin'." The dark-haired asshole smugly smirked.
"I'm married to her best friend. I'm not here to fuck her, but to talk to ya 'bout Tolbert."
Misty's baby blue eyes widened slightly as Mr. Brooksdale just made an aha face while remarkin', "Ah, yes, the jealous regular that left a nasty bruise on Misty's cheek." Pickin' up his coffee an' sippin' it, he asked, "What 'bout him?"
"You need to drop the bullshit charges you pressed on him so he can get out of jail."
"Or you could just pay his bail." The man countered, settin' his mug down with a clank. A twist smirk appeared on his face as he insulted me passive aggressively with the remark of, "I'm sure a man such as yourself can afford it considerin' bail in these one-horse towns is maybe 10-or-20 bucks."
"That ain't the point, ya prick. The point is that you pressed bullshit charges on my friend for an accident. Charges ya never should've pressed since you weren't harmed, but Misty was accidental."
"You must be as hot-headed and foolish as your friend if you think the charges weren't necessary." The prick darkly chuckled, amusement thick in his tone as he leaned forward on his elbows. "Accident or not, he hit Misty hard enough to knock her on her ass and to mar her porcelain skin with an ugly black and blue bruise on her cheekbone. Tolbert's behavior was intolerable so I made sure he was arrested."
I shook my head incredulously at him 'fore turnin' to Misty an' snappin', "You oughtta be ashamed of yourself for lettin' Tolbert get locked up so ya can keep your big payday."
"Shaw, there was nothin' I could do to stop Sherriff Maynard from takin' him 'way. He saw my bruise and slapped the cuffs on 'im." Misty told me, her voice slightly frantic, as she gave me a look that begged me not to be mad at her.
"You heard my darlin', there was nothin' to be done, but let Tolbert be arrest." Senator Brooksdale's brother said in a condensending way. God, the way he said refered to Misty as his darlin' made me sick. God, who does this rich prick think he is.
'Fore I even knew what I was doin', I grabbed the rich man by his fancy striped silk tie and yanked him out of his chair an' over the table while screamin' out the order of, "Goddamnit, drop the fuckin' charges 'gainst my friend!"
Mr. Brooksdale shoved me off of him while simply sneerin', "No." Turnin' 'round to face the bar, he straightened up his tie while tellin' Wiggins, "Wiggins, I want this man arrest for assult."
"Of course, Brock." Wiggins nodded. "I'll go fetch him myself." The saloon owner assured the rich prick, who's name was Brock (Haha, his name rhymes with rock.), 'fore walkin' out from behind the bar an' rushin' out the door to get Sherriff Maynard.
A Few Moments Later…
I was escorted, cuffed an' all like some common riff-raff criminal, to the county jail by Sherriff Maynard only to be stared and gawked at by the townspeople. Oh, I imagine word's gonna get to my dad faster then a forest fire 'bout me bein' locked up. Oh, reckon daddy's gonna have to bail out both me an' Tolbert too.
"Tolbert, ya got a roommate." Sherriff Maynard announced dryly as he pushed me thru the jail's door.
Tolbert's ginger head popped up curiously. Upon seein' me, his brow arched an' he asked, "What'd he do?"
"Yanked Brock Brooksdale over a table by his overpriced silk tie cause he cockily refused to drop the bullshit charges 'gainst ya." I told my best friend as the sherriff brought me over to his cell, unlocked it, and tossed me inside.
"Ya should've choked the life out of the bastard." Tolbert told he as the sherriff grabbed my wrists, unlockin' the heavy metal cuffs that were clamped tightly 'round them.
"Yep." I popped my tongue, makin' my way over to the bunk 'gainst the wall. Climbin' up onto the top bunk, I seriously told my friend, "He called her his darlin' so I think you've got competition when it comes to her time and affections."
"Son of a bitch…" Tolbert gruffly hissed, soundin' like a snake in the grass hissin' a warnin' 'fore it strikes.
AN:
Oh boy, the angst continues. How do you think Peter's going to react once he learns his son's in jail? Perry's a shady snake, as always. So, what do you guys think about Brock?