“Go to work, Todd. Thank you for coming with me today,” she said as she started her car and drove away.

She waved through the front window of Brody’s shop as she walked past and he blew her a kiss. She laughed and went through the door of the café. Things were jumping, and she immediately moved to the coffee bar and began pulling espressos until the crowd thinned.

“My mom came by.”

Erin looked at Ella and nodded. “She give you the recap?”

“Yeah. Perceptions? Like I mistook him kicking my door in and hitting me with the iron I’d been using as an attack? How could he sit there with a straight face?”

Erin hugged her friend. “You’ll testify tomorrow and tell the truth. They’ve got your medical records, pictures of what you looked like, all the times he violated the protection order. It’s going to be all right.”

“The prosecutor is really nice. She walked me through what it’s going to be like. It’s bad, isn’t it?” Ella asked.

Erin exhaled hard. “It’s not the most pleasant thing. But you’ll survive it. You’ve survived worse and you’re here now. He will be there, watching you, and they’ll try to shake you up too. But you need to try to focus and remember that you living to tell the tale is your best revenge. Justice is your best revenge. And when they try to make you look like you were wishy-washy and how could he know if you really meant him to go away and you liked it rough or whatever, you have to stay focused. Just be honest. Think about what you say and don’t let them rush you. And remember, this is about him, not you.”

“You’re so awesome. I know it was hard for you today.”

“It was worth it to see his face when your mom and I glared at him. Todd sent him an uber-mean face too.”

“I’m glad Todd was with you. He’s so good.”

“He is.” Even when he was a controlling, protective butthead.

They worked side by side until it was closing time and then cleaned up.

“You want me to go home with you?” Erin asked as she locked up the front door.

“No, I’m good. I’m heading to my parents’ for the afternoon and then I’ll spend the night there. We’ll go to the courthouse first thing.”

They hugged and Ella got into her car. Before Erin could get to hers, Brody materialized with a concerned look. “Hey there, you doin’ okay?”

She hugged him. “Yeah. I’m good. It was weird. Flashback in a big way about the whole metal detector thing. It smells the same in the courthouse. I need to go home and scrub it off my skin.”

“Wanna tell me why Todd called here to ask if I’d check on you?”

She told him about their argument and he laughed. “You’re both perfect for each other. You’re outnumbered with Ben. Lucky for you, you’ve got enough spine to push back when they push you. And they push because they love you and want to take care of you. I have to stop myself half the time too, and I’m your brother.” He shrugged.

“I know. I’m not mad at him. I just need to process this and go about my business. Honestly, if I’d gone home and stopped for a few minutes I’d have dwelled. I don’t need to dwell. I need to keep moving. Like a shark, you know?”

He kissed her forehead. “Yeah, like a shark. That’s you. Don’t forget dinner at Palomino on Saturday.”

She closed her eyes and prayed for patience. Label people were in town, and she’d promised Adrian she’d go and play nice.

“Yeah, can’t forget that. I should take Ben too. I hate leaving him out of this stuff.”

“So bring him. The label people won’t care. As for life in general and living in an alternative relationship? We need to have coffee or a drink to talk about that one, Erin. You know I’m fine with it. Adrian too. But Ben’s folks don’t seem to be the kind to easily accept that he’s in a threesome with you and another dude. I know you want to show him you care as much about him as you do Todd, but you know you have to remember how it will blow back on them too. You’re a f**king musician; no one cares what you do. They’re not.”

“I know. Don’t think I don’t. I’m not in the mood for it’s not fair right now. I’m going home. I love you.”

“You know where I am if you need me to kick some ass.”

She rolled her eyes and went home.

“Ms. Keenan?”

Erin looked up at the doorman calling her name. It was hard to get used to being called Keenan, but it made Todd happy and it gave her another level of anonymity, so that worked too.

“Yep. What’s up?”

“You have a visitor.” He pointed to a statuesque brunette waiting near the front doors. She knew who it was before the woman introduced herself

“Caroline, am I right?”

The smile faltered a bit. Erin really wished this had happened another day. She usually went straight up to her place, but of course she had to stop by the mail room. Damn.

“Yes. And you’re Erin.”

“Ben’s at work.” Erin checked her watch.

“I know. I thought we could talk.”

Erin sighed heavily. “About what?”

“Just things. I thought perhaps it would be good if we talked without Ben.”

“Oh no. I don’t do that. You could have called; you know the number. Instead you’re here in my lobby when you know Ben is at work. That makes me very uncomfortable. I don’t go around Ben.”