Chapter 11—The Arrest: Part II
A/N: WARNING: This chapter contains the mention of someone dying. This chapter is a bit long, but I didn't want to make a part three to Randy's arrest. This is the most dramatic chapter of this story. Please review.
Everyone was speechless, except for Nate, of course. "Whoa. Who'd you kill, bro?" he asked.
"Shut up, Nate!" Liz grumbled. She turned her attention to Randy as he was on his knees with his hands in the air.
Having learned a little bit of law from Dolph, Liz knew what was allowed and what wasn't.
"Take everything out of your pocket, Randy," she told him before the cuffs were on.
The police knew what she was doing so they tried to hurry with the cuffs. Randy frowned in confusion.
"Just do it!" she yelled at him, partially angry at him and partially scared for him.
He did as Liz told him before the officers could handcuff him. One of the officers groaned.
Nate was curious. "What was that?" he asked Liz as the officers pulled Randy from the floor.
Liz sighed in relief when she had Randy's cell phone and car keys in her hands. "If they found these on him when they frisked him, they could search is car and phone without a warrant. Now that they are in my possession, they have to have a warrant to search either one; which means they have to have probable cause; which means they would have to have evidence against Randy in this so called murder," she said as she glared at the officers.
"You go, Scooby Doo," Nate said with a grin.
Liz shook her head and rolled her eyes, "That doesn't even make sense," she said.
Randy opened his mouth to speak. "NO! Don't say anything without a lawyer," she warned.
One of the officers chuckled. "Listen to your girlfriend, tough guy," he suggested.
Nate opened his mouth. "Oh, she's not his girlfriend," he lowered his voice to a whisper and leaned towards the officer. "It's complicated," he said.
Liz glared at the officer. "Don't worry, Randy. I'm right behind you," she said as she followed him and the officers out the door.
Randy shook his head. "No, Liz. Stay here. I don't want you to see me like this," he said. The officers pushed him up against the police cruiser and searched him.
"SHUT UP!" she yelled at him. "You really need to use the right to silence, Randy. Everything is going to be okay," she said as she watched the officers frisk him and search his pockets. They roughly yanked him up from the car's hood.
Liz gasped at the treatment. "Be careful with him! He has hypermobile shoulders! If anything happens to them, you will be held responsible," she said. One of the officers smirked and purposely his Randy's shoulder on the door frame.
He groaned out in pain. "Ah! Motherfucker!" he yelled as the pain shot down his arm.
"Oops," the officers said sarcastically in unison.
Liz could see the bulge in his sweater; she knew his shoulder was dislocated. She ran to help him, but the officers pushed her away. "He's ours now; you can see him when he gets settled in county," one of them said arrogantly as the cruiser door closed Randy in the backseat.
Before Liz could do or say anything more, the detective approached her. "Are you Elizabeth Caro?" the female detective asked.
Liz nodded. "Why?" she asked as she watched the police cars peel away; one of them in which Randy sat in pain.
"I'm Olive Hash and this is my partner, Michelle Somers. We're investigating the death of Nicholas Potenza. I need you to come with us," she said.
Liz frowned. She vaguely knew that name, but she couldn't match a face with it. "I don't think I know him," she said.
The detective reached in her pocket and pulled out a photo to show her. Liz gasped when she saw the photo of a deceased man on a medical examiners' table. It was the young car designer from the car show months ago who gave her a ride in his custom made car: the Potenza P1.
"What happened to him?" Liz asked.
"I'll explain of that back at the station," the detective said as she gently grasped Liz's arm.
Liz pulled her arm away. "I can drive myself," she insisted.
The detective shook her head. "I think it would be best if you just ride with us," she said as she moved closer to Liz.
Liz scoffed and backed away from the detectives. "Am I under arrest?" she asked.
The detective hesitated and sighed. "No," she said.
"Well, until you can arrest me for something, I don't have to do a damn thing. I won't be doing you any favors by answering your questions. My only objective will be to clear Randy's name. Now, I will drive myself to you little office. I'll be in that pretty little Bentley over there when I follow your beat up company car," she said condescendingly.
The detectives nodded and let Liz walk to the car.
Liz got in Randy's Bentley. She closed the door and started the car. She tried to keep calm as she waited for the detective to pull off. Liz took a deep breath and waited for the detective to pull off. She was looking at herself in the rearview mirror when she saw something glittery in the backseat. She reached for the item; it was a pink gift bag covered in glitter. Inside was a birthday card and a Michael Kors watch. She smiled at the fact that Randy remembered her 21st birthday. She couldn't admire the gift for long because the detectives had started their car. She repackaged the card and gift before she followed.
[police precinct]
Liz followed the detectives into the building.
Detective Somers pointed Liz in the direction of an interrogation room. "We'll be with you in a moment. Would you like anything to drink?" Detective Somers asked.
She shook her head. "No, thanks," she said. Liz went into the office and sat down. She waited patiently until the detectives returned. They each carried at least one folder with them and sat on the opposite side of the tables. When they put the folders on the table, Liz clearly saw three files; one of them had her name on it.
"So, Elizabeth Caro," Detective Hash started as she read from a file. "Daughter of Valentino Caro and Regina Parkley-Caro. No siblings; grew up right here in St. Louis. You worked in retail since you were 14. You graduated high school almost three years ago. Your parents kicked the bucket a year ago," she was very disrespectful; Hash continued to read.
"And the rest is sealed by the government. I wonder why?" she asked sarcastically.
Liz shrugged. "You work for the government. You should have access to that information—unless it's above your pay grade," she said smugly.
Hash narrowed her eyes at Liz.
Detective Somers took a deep breath. "All we want from you, Elizabeth, is for you to tell the truth. If you're honest with us, your boyfriend will have a much easier experience,"
"He's not my boyfriend," she said.
Hash scoffed.
"When can I see him?" Liz asked; completely ignoring Hash's tactics.
Somers pressed her lips together and sighed. "The sooner you answer my questions, the sooner you can see him," she said.
Liz nodded and waited for the detectives to start the questioning.
"Can you tell us what happened between Mr. Potenza and Mr. Orton?" Somers asked.
She nodded. "Nick was at the car show Randy and I went to. Nick and I were flirting and he took me for a ride in his custom car. When we got back, Randy was waiting on him because he thought Nick had kidnapped me," she said.
Hash stopped her, "How do you know what your boyfriend—I'm sorry. How do you know what your 'friend' was thinking," she asked using air quotes around 'friend'.
"Because I've known Randy my whole life. I know how he thinks," Liz said.
"Oh, so you're a mind reader, now?" Hash asked mockingly.
Before Liz could answer, Somers spoke up.
"What exactly happened when you and Mr. Potenza returned to the car show?" Somers asked.
"When we got back, Randy was standing in his parking spot. He pulled Nick out of the car and punched him," Liz said.
Somers nodded and jotted notes. "Is there anything else?
Liz pretended to think. "Hmmm. I don't know," she said smugly.
Hash rolled her eyes; Somers sighed.
"Well, Ms. Caro. If Mr. Orton is out of interrogation, you could go downstairs to see him before he's transported to county/ He'll be extradited as soon as Madison police get here," Somers said.
Liz nodded and stood to leave, but Hash stopped her. "Remember, there will be someone watching and listening to the conversation," she said.
"No, shit," Liz said under her breath as she left the interrogation room.
She went down the stairs and saw Randy sitting alone in an interrogation room through a small glass window on the door. Liz also saw that the arresting officers were just standing outside the room like they were waiting on her.
"Can I talk to him?" she asked as she approached them.
The officers looked at each other and smirked. "Why of course. Of course you can just waltz into this place and have your every request granted. Right this way, princess," one of the officers said as he showed Liz into the room. She huffed as she walked by them.
Liz had already had enough of Hash's sass, now she had to put up with the officers'.
When she was inside the room with Randy, the officers closed the door and stepped away from the small glass window in the door. Before Liz could even sit down across from Randy, the officers had tapped on the two way mirror to let Randy and Liz know that they were watching.
She sighed at the sound but focused all of her attention on Randy who didn't look too scared.
"What the hell is going on, Randy?" she asked as she sat.
Randy sighed. "Remember the car show?" he asked.
Liz nodded.
"Well, apparently, that guy I fucked up didn't press charges. But he had to have surgery then he went into a coma after the surgery. He died this morning from the injuries I caused so they're charging me with his death," he explained.
She nodded. "So that's why you were acting so weird after it happened?" she asked.
Randy nodded. "Yeah. Madison police called me and told me about the coma the next morning and told me that if he died, I would go to jail even though he didn't want to press charges for assault. But now they're saying that I have to go back to Madison since that's where the crime was committed," he said.
Liz sighed. "I only told the detectives what they already knew, so…" she said.
Randy took a deep breath. "Thanks," he said.
"No problem," she said.
There was about a minute of uncomfortable silence.
"How's your shoulder?" she asked.
Randy frowned as he was reminded about the pain he had just begun to ignore. "Hurts like hell," he said.
Liz nodded. "Can I fix it for you?" she asked. Randy was still in handcuffs and the officers didn't get him the medical attention he needed for his dislocated shoulder.
"Please do," he begged.
She chuckled and walked over to him. As soon as she laid a hand on him, the officers chimed in through the intercom. "No touching," an officer bellowed.
"You did this to him! I'm just trying to fix it!" she yelled at her reflection.
There was silence from the officers for a moment. Then they spoke again. "Fine. Make it quick," the other officer said.
"Thank you," Liz said mockingly. She turned her attention back to Randy. "Ready?" she asked.
He nodded vigorously. "Yeah,"
"Deep breaths, okay? On three. Start the count when you're ready,"
He winced and took deep breaths as he nodded. It took few seconds for Randy to start the count.
"One," he said. "Two," he was calm. Right before he got to three, Liz popped his shoulder back into place.
"MOTHERFUCKER!" Randy yelled in pain.
"Better?" Liz asked after Randy seemed comfortable.
He nodded. "Much better. Thank you," he said as he cradled his shoulder.
Liz smiled and slapped him hard across the face.
The officers chimed in yet again. "Watch it!" they yelled.
"THIS IS NONE OF YOUR FUCKING BUSINESS!" Liz yelled at the mirror.
"What the fuck was that for?" he asked as he rubbed his stinging cheek.
"That's for not telling me about Eva Marie," she said.
Randy sighed. "I didn't think I would have to tell you. It's not like you and I are a couple," he said.
Liz scoffed. "What the fuck do you mean it's not like we're a couple?! You just tried to fuck me yesterday! You asked me out AGAIN today and I told you that I would think about it. In what part of this whole situation would be the right time to tell me about her?" she asked.
Randy didn't say anything, so Liz knew the answer. "You weren't going to tell me at all, were you?" she asked.
He took a deep breath. "She and I aren't dating, Liz. We're just talking! She told me that you were okay with it, so I don't know why you're so mad," he said.
"I never told her I was okay with it! Well, I did, but that's not what I meant. I told her that she wasn't your type and that she shouldn't even try unless she wanted to get her heart broken," she said.
"But she tried anyway, so that's why you're mad? You're jealous?" he asked.
Liz was fuming. "JEALOUS? YOU THINK I'M JEALOUS OF THAT SLUT?! You don't know a goddamn thing about me if you think I'm jealous. If I wanted you, Randy, I could have you. I'm mad because you fucking lied to me! You laid on the charm like you were ready to jump into a relationship with me all the while Eva was trying to jump on your dick," she ranted.
Randy was quiet.
She paused for a minute. "You already slept with her didn't you?" she asked.
He didn't answer. "YOU BETTER ANSWER ME YOU LYING ASSHOLE!"
He still didn't say anything.
Liz scoffed. "See? This is why I can't trust you. I refuse to put myself in this situation when you're already lying to me!"
"I didn't lie to you. You never asked, so I didn't say anything," Randy said softly.
"Well I'm asking you now, Randy. Did you or did you not fuck her?!" she yelled.
"Lizard—"
"Don't you pull that 'Lizard' shit with me! I'm not in the mood for nicknames. And omitting the truth is lying,"
"You know what, Elizabeth? Since omitting the truth is considered lying, you're just as big of a liar as you accuse me to be," he said smugly; he never talked to Liz as The Viper, but there's a first time for everything.
She frowned. "What are you talking about?" Liz asked.
"You were so quick to call Eva Marie a slut that you forgot to look at yourself. At lease she didn't get pregnant," he said.
Liz just looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"Yeah. I know about the baby," he said.
Took a deep breath; she was silent for a few seconds. "Fuck you, Randy. I really hope she was worth it, because as far as I'm concerned, whatever this is between us is over," she said as she started walking out.
Randy called for her and tried to stop her. "I'm sorry, Liz didn't mean it like that,"
Liz kept walking out the door.
The security guard gave Liz all of her belongings back that she had to surrender before she could see Randy. She thanked the guard and left. When she got back into Randy's car, she took a deep breath to process everything that was happening.
Liz sat for while in thought. Part of her still wanted to help Randy, but most of her decided that he deserved everything that would be coming to him for what he did and said to her. She had already determined that she and Randy would never be the same as friends again. Liz thought about what Randy said about her being jealous of Eva Marie. Of course Liz was jealous; she wasn't afraid to admit it to herself. She and Randy would have made a great couple and she knew that.
Her trust issues paired with Randy blatantly hitting on her while he was close to Eva was something that Liz couldn't handle. Randy knew she was going through a lot but he seemed to disregard that completely. Liz would have given anything to be with Randy, but that seemed beyond reality at that moment.
When her mind was clear, Liz pulled out of the parking lot. They had a house show right outside of St. Louis the next night, so she had to leave the city. Before she left St. Louis, Liz went back to the Orton house where she explained to the rest of the family what was going on with Randy and his arrest. She left out the personal conversation between her and her now ex-best friend.
"We don't mind if you stay the night, Liz," Elaine said after the explanation settled in.
Liz smiled thankfully. "Thanks, Ma, but I already made other arrangements. I just came to say goodbye. Then, I have to drop off Randy's car at his house," she said.
Bob frowned. "Where are you going to go?" he asked out of concern.
She chuckled. "Don't worry, Poppy. I'm going to a hotel," she said.
"Well, at least let us pay for the hotel room," he said as he pulled out his wallet.
Liz shook her head. "No, but thank you, anyway. A friend of mine is letting me crash in his room at the hotel downtown," she said.
Nate laughed. "Wow, Liz. You're already stepping out on Randy. They have conjugal visits, ya know," he said. She ignored Nate and walked past him to hug Bob and Elaine. She eventually hugged Nate as well, but she quickly broke the hug when he whispered sexual expletives in her ear. Liz said her goodbyes and left.
It wasn't long until she pulled away and drove in silence to Randy's house where she planned on leaving the Bentley. She pulled up to the garage and pressed a button on the remote control that was clipped to the visor; the garage door slowly rose. Liz pulled into the garage and cut the power on the car. She pressed the remote control button for a second time and watched the garage door go down. Liz used the keys to get into the house through the door that was in the garage.
When she was inside, she went upstairs to get her bags. She packed up all of her belongings and slipped Randy's keys in her bag as well. She decided to hang on to them instead of locking them in the house or car. When she was all packed, she called Dolph.
Hey, Liz. What's up?
Nothing; I'm all packed. Do you know how to get to Randy's place?
Yeah. I've been there before. I literally just pulled up.
Wow. That was quick.
I'm the real superman; Cena just gets all the credit.
Liz chuckled and hung up the phone.
When she opened the front door to walk out, Dolph saw her struggling with her bags, so he got out of his rental to help.
"Thanks, Dolph," Liz said as Dolph grabbed all of her luggage.
He winked. "No problem," he said.
She locked the door and followed Dolph to the car. She sat in the passenger seat while Dolph put the bags away. Dolph soon got back in the driver's seat and backed out of the driveway.
"So, what happened?" he asked.
Liz sighed and told the story, leaving out the personal conversation, of course. By the time she was done, they had pulled up to the hotel. Dolph parked and tried to process the information.
"Wait. Who is Nick again?" he asked.
"Oh, I forgot you didn't go to the car show. Nick is the guy who took me for a ride in his car. When we got back to the show, Randy was waiting on him," she said.
Dolph frowned. "So how did he die again?" he asked.
"Randy beat him up so bad that he had to go to the hospital. The police said that he had some internal bleeding and other stuff that he died from," she said.
"I don't get it," Dolph said. "Why didn't he just press charges?" he asked.
Liz shrugged. "I don't know. The police are saying that Nick was afraid to press charges. They said that Nick might have feared for his life," she said.
Dolph shook his head. "What did you tell them?" he asked referring to the police as they got out of the car.
"Nothing they didn't already know. You know how me and Randy get: we had an argument when the police let me see him. He pissed me off, so I just left," she said. They walked into the hotel and Dolph led the way to the elevators.
"So you didn't defend him?" he asked as he pressed the up button on one of the elevators.
She shook her head. "Nope," Liz said. Dolph sighed and stepped on the elevator with Liz as the stainless steel doors opened.
"What was the argument about today?" he asked.
Liz chuckled. "Which one?" she asked.
Dolph chuckled lightly with disbelief. "You and him are like an old married couple. You two can hate each other one minute, but eventually, you always end up working things out. It may take a few minutes or a few months. Either way, the fights between you and him don't last forever," he said.
Liz smiled and took a breath to speak but her cellphone rang as they stepped off the elevator and onto the floor of Dolph's room.
Hello?
Elizabeth Caro?
Yes. Who is this?
I'm Randy Orton's lawyer; you were at the detention center earlier to visit him, right?
Yeah. So?
So, you are a vital part in this situation. He told me that you saw what happened between him and the victim.
You seem to know exactly what happened, so why do you need me?
I don't need you, Randy needs you. He's going to be charged with murder if you don't come down and tell the police what happened. He could spend the rest of his life in prison, but if you come forward, he could get off with probation.
I'm busy. Sorry.
Before the lawyer could say anything more, Liz had hung up the phone.
[day's later]
Liz woke up in her hotel room in downtown St. Louis; it was the Monday after the PPV. Raw was that night. She yawned as she sat up to check her phone; there were several missed calls from Randy and his lawyer. There was only one voice message from Randy, though.
"I will go to jail for the rest of my life if you don't come in and testify! You know it was an accident, Liz! Please don't let me go to prison. I know I fucked up, but I really need you right now. Call me back,"
[Randy's extradition trial]
"Your Honor, the prosecution thinks the defendant is flight risk and that he shouldn't be extradited to Mississippi. Murder is the same everywhere," the prosecutor said.
Randy's lawyer chimed in. "My client is willing to relinquish his passport Your Honor. We, too, would prefer if he stay here in Missouri. Even though my client is innocent, murder is indeed the same everywhere. It's unfortunate that Mr. Potenza is dead, Your Honor, but he didn't want to press charges against my client, so Mr. Orton shouldn't even be here,"
The prosecution interrupted. "The defendant is an ex-Marine, Your Honor,"
The lawyer shook his head. "My client was kicked out, Your Honor,"
"So what!" the prosecution started. "He still had all of the physical training. The defendant himself is a deadly weapon. He's also a trained professional wrestler. He could easily be a danger to anyone else. He has a past filled with anger management issues and violence both inside and outside of professional wrestling. He is a danger to everyone around him. That's why we ask that he be remanded."
Randy's lawyer suddenly saw Liz slip into the courtroom; he gave a sigh of relief. "Your Honor, I have someone in the courtroom whose statement could prove that my client isn't a murderer," he said.
The lawyer shook her head. "That's what a trial is for, counselor," she said.
The attorney sighed. "But if she speaks, Your Honor, this case won't make it to trial. Please just give me a chance," the lawyer begged.
The judge seemed to think it over. "Why hasn't this person already made a statement to the police?" she asked.
Randy's lawyer shrugged. "I'm not sure, Your Honor. Maybe my client can answer that," he said.
The judge motioned for Randy to explain. Randy leaned over to his lawyer to make sure his statement wouldn't hurt his chances of an acquittal.
"Why do you have to consult with your attorney to answer the question?" the judge asked.
Randy sighed and ignored the judge's question. Instead, he explained why Liz hadn't spoken to the police. "We had disagreements of sorts before and after I was arrested, Your Honor. I assume she wouldn't speak to the police because she was angry at me,"
"Were these disagreements violent?" the judge asked with a frown.
Randy leaned over to his attorney again.
"Please be reminded that you are under oath," the judge said.
Randy nodded. "Yes, ma'am. The disagreements were not violent in nature on my part," he answered.
The judge was getting frustrated. "Do you care to explain to me what in the world that means?" he asked.
Randy was about to answer, but Liz spoke up from where she stood. "I slapped him, Your Honor," she said.
The judge motioned to the bailiff to bring Liz forward. When Liz was sworn in and seated at the witness' stand, the judge proceeded to question her.
"State your name," the judge said.
"Elizabeth Caro,"
"Okay, Miss Caro, what was the reason for the disagreements?" she asked.
Liz chuckled. "There was more than one reason for the arguments," she said. "The first reason on that particular day Randy was arrested was about us being in a relationship. He asked me out months ago, but I turned him down. Then he asked about it again, and I told him that I couldn't trust him. That's when the first argument started and ended. The second argument was about his current girlfriend that he failed to mention before he kissed me… on two separate occasions," Liz explained as she glared at Randy.
There was silence in the courtroom.
"Um, Okay. Counselor?" the judge motioned for Randy's lawyer to ask questions.
"Miss Caro, could you explain to the court what happened on the day of August 17th?" he asked.
Liz nodded. "Randy, some of his coworkers, and I all went to a car show in Madison, Mississippi. Randy ended up beating up the guy I was flirting with,"
"Why did he attack the man?" the attorney asked.
Liz sighed and shook her head before explaining the events leading up to Randy's attack on Nick.
"I'm Nicholas Potenza." He said as he offered his hand in a greeting.
…
"I don't think you ever told me your name," he said.
"Oh, I'm Liz. It's good to meet you Nicholas." She said.
He smiled. "Good to meet you, too, but you can call me Nick. I hear a slight accent." He said.
Liz chuckled and nodded. "Yeah. My dad was born in Italy. He lived there his whole life until he married my mom. I didn't think I had an accent; I've been in America my entire life." She said.
Nick nodded. "I guess we Italians can spot our own in strange ways." He said.
She giggled and nodded.
"So, would you be interested in taking a ride in the Potenza?" Nick asked.
"Are you sure no one would mind?" she asked skeptically.
Nick shrugged. "Why would they? It's my name on the car." He said.
Liz laughed. "True… I'd love to go for a ride." She said.
He nodded and led Liz to the passenger side and helped her inside the car. As he closed the butterfly doors, he winked at Liz; she blushed. Nick then pulled a set of keys from his pocket; he ducked into the driver seat, closed the door, and started the car. He revved the engine a bit.
"You hear how it purrs?" he asked Liz. She nodded. "Well, that's not the only thing I can make purr." He said sensuously.
Liz raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Oh, really?" she asked.
Nick smirked and pulled off. There had been a designated strip of road that was blocked off for people to test drive the cars at the show. He sped down the road, giving the car all it could take. He made sharp turns as he drifted into them. The car vibrated softly as the driver manhandled it. When the ride was done, Nick returned the car to its spot in the car show's display lot. It was where Randy was waiting impatiently; Liz could tell that he was angry, but she didn't say anything to Nick about it.
Before Nick could even get out of the car, Randy had opened the door and dragged him out. He grabbed Nick's collar and slammed him up against the car; Randy threw punch after punch to Nick's face. Liz screamed for Randy to stop.
"What are you doing, Randy?! Stop it! Leave him alone!" she yelled. It was no use; Randy kept at it. It took John and Cody to pull Randy away from Nick. Even still, Randy kept lunging towards the car designer. John and Cody's combined strength wasn't enough; Randy broke free and went to attack Nick yet again.
This time, Nick was prepared; he kicked Randy in the stomach to slow him down. Randy was like an animal; he wasn't even affected by the kick. He returned by smashing Nick's head into the car's driver side window.
Liz screamed and covered her mouth. She tried to get Randy to stop yet again. "Please, Randy! Let him go! He didn't do anything!" she screamed at her best friend.
Randy seemed not to hear her at all; he continued the assault. He punched Nick across the face; sending him to the ground. Randy kicked and stomped him as he lay defenseless on the ground.
He took a break from destroying Nick to catch his breath; Liz saw the opportunity to save Nick from further attack. She stepped in front of Nick in an attempt to protect him, but it was a failed attempt. Randy pushed her out of the way; she fell to the ground and cried out in pain.
Punk ran to her side to check on her. "Are you okay, Lizzy?" he asked.
Liz winced as she raised her arm from the pavement. Shards of glass from the Potenza's window were lodged into her arm. While Randy continued the attack on Nick, Punk helped her to her feet. "Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." He said.
She nodded and groaned as Punk led her away.
"… I don't know what happened after that," she said.
The attorney nodded. "So is it safe to say that my client was only trying to protect you from someone he thought was causing you harm?" he asked.
Liz was still glaring at Randy. Her face was a light tinge of red out of anger. She rolled her eyes before answering. "Yeah,"
"You seem to harbor some anger towards my client. Can you explain why?" he asked.
Randy frowned as his lawyer looked at him. He didn't know where the attorney was going with the question; neither did the judge.
"What does that have to do with anything, Counselor?" the judge asked.
"I'm want to show the court that my client and Miss Caro are more than just friends. My client was trying to protect someone he cared deeply about. He still cares about her regardless of what her answer to my question will be," the lawyer answer.
The judge sighed. "I have nothing better to do, so why not? Answer the question, Miss Caro," she ordered.
"Are you sure you want me to answer that? I'm sure your oh-so-truthful client hasn't told you everything about us," she said.
"Just answer the damn question, Liz!" Randy said from where he sat.
Randy's attorney silently told the judge to watch what was about to happen before she could bang her gavel to get them to calm down.
Liz frowned. "Really? Me showing up to help your lying ass wasn't good enough. I'm not putting this shit out for everybody to see. I, for one, like to keep some parts of my life to myself," she said.
"Why is this so hard for you, Liz?!" he asked.
"Because you lied to my face, Randy!"
"How many times do I have to apologize for that?" he asked.
"Until you can turn back time and not do it." She said.
Randy sighed. "Well, I can't do that, so you'll just have to get over it. I can't just turn back the hands of time. I regret doing it because I hurt you, but at the same time, I couldn't just wait around for you,"
"You don't get it Randy. When you love somebody as much as you claim to love me, you wait forever and a day for that person," she said. She started to cry. "I waited for you,"
Everybody looked at Liz in confusion.
"What do you mean, Miss Caro?" the judge asked.
She sighed. "I've always had a crush on Randy. He was the older boy who lived next door when I was a kid. When I was 14, I settled for his younger brother because Nate was only two years older than me. I figured Nate would be a close second because knew I had to be a legal adult to date Randy at the time; plus, Randy was gone all the time because he was wrestling. When I finally turned 18, I broke up with Nate because I thought Randy was single. But I found out he was already in a relationship. So I told myself I would wait until he was single again. Then I didn't see him again because he was getting really busy with work. The next time I saw him was when my parents died a year or two later. He was only in town for the funeral and I was too emotional about the loss of my parents to talk to Randy about it, so…"
The entire courtroom was hushed. All that could be heard was Liz sniffling as she wiped the tears that flowed from her eyes.
Randy sat in shock. He didn't know that Liz had a crush on him all that time. The only thing he knew about was the break-up between Nate and Liz. He had assumed that Nate broke up with Liz instead of the other way around. That was the main reason as to why he and Nate hadn't spoken in so long. Sure, he and his brother fought before then, but for Randy, that was the final straw. He thought Nate had broken Liz's heart. Randy kept that to himself, though. He didn't want Liz to know that he knew about her relationship with Nate because he didn't want to open any wounds Liz may have had.
The attorney didn't know what to say. He stammered before he could say a full sentence. "So, um, Miss Caro… how old are you now?" he asked.
She sniffled and cleared her throat. "21," she answered simply.
"So you waited for seven years for my client?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Why did you say anything when he visited you months ago?" the attorney asked.
Liz took a deep breath. "There was a rumor going around about Randy dating one of the girls he works with. I asked him about it but I didn't believe him when he told me it wasn't true," she said.
The attorney was about to ask another question, but Randy interrupted him.
"I'm not that person any more, Liz. You know that," he said.
She shook her head. "No, I don't, Randy. I really don't. You went out and hooked up with Eva Marie while you were—doing whatever it is you were trying to do with me," she said.
He nodded. "I know, and I'm so very sorry for that. I should have talked to you about it first," he said.
"No, you shouldn't have. Like you said, it's not like we're a couple or anything," she said.
Randy sighed.
The attorney was all out of questions; the courtroom had settled into an awkward silence. "I guess that's it, Your Honor," he said.
The judge nodded. "Very well, Counselor. Let's recess and return in an hour. I'll make a ruling then," she said before banging her gavel.
Liz stood and walked away.
Randy attempted to run after her, but she turned on her heels.
"No, Randy. I'm tired of this with us; I really am. We're better off as just coworkers. I'll see you whenever I see you again. I hope all this turns out okay for you," she said.
Randy was about to speak, but Liz walked away again. This time, forever.
A/N: Thanks for reading! PLEASE REVIEW for a sneak peek at chapter 12.