Bad Bets (Bad News Series Book 3) *Under Major Edit*

Chapter 30

He watched as Jay walked in, guard either side of him and handcuffs tight around his wrists. Looking around at all the other prisoners, their hands free and trusted to take a seat alone in the visiting area, made Matt realise Jay must have made it hard work.

Letting him take a seat opposite Matt, they walked away, but kept firm eyes on him the whole time.

“Dude really?” Was the first thing Matt said.

“What?” Jay shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing.

“Don’t be making this harder than it has to be.” He warned, looking down to the cuffs. “What have you been doing?”

“Nothing.” He spat back. “Now are we going to use this ten minutes wisely or not…”

“Not until you tell me what you have been doing. Your fucking face gives most of it away.” He shot Jay a warning look like this wasn’t over until he explained.

He had a number of cuts and bruises across his face while his knuckles were severely torn apart.

“Just a few fights, nothing major.” He lifted his hands for a moment and the instant twitch from the officers proved to Matt it clearly wasn’t ‘just a few fights’.

“Gibson, stop talking to me like I’m a fucking idiot. If we’re going to get you out of here, you need to tell me what I’m dealing with. You getting in fights…”

“Get me out?” Jay chuckled. “I appreciate you trying but you do realise they’re looking through my whole records from back in England? Not just what I have been taken in for in the past, but the shit they know I did but didn’t have enough proof to lock me up for it.”

“And?” Matt raised a hand. “If they don’t have proof they can’t keep you in for it.”

“You’re right, but the fact they’re so eagerly looking to give me life in here, means they’re not going to give up easily.” He responded and Matt knew he was right, it wasn’t going to be easy but he didn’t want to give up like Jay was.

“So you’re cool with just sitting in here until you take your last breath?” Matt asked the question he knew would change Jay’s attitude. “While you have your girl sat at home alone and a gang that actually needs you?”

Avoiding Matt’s eye contact, he moved his focus to the cuffs on his wrists.

“Exactly. So tell me what the hell you have been doing?” Matt finalised, knowing he had gotten through to him.

He had been so caught up, surrounded by prisoners who were in here for something they actually got caught for, he was beginning to feel as though he was one of them.

“Fights, every fucking day. Everyone pisses me off.” He began and Matt rolled his eyes, the typical Jay, not much of a people’s person coming out.

“You do it on your own?” He questioned further.

“Nah, with a few others that are decent.”

And that was the last thing Matt wanted to hear. Getting involved with a group of people was like forming an in-prison gang and the most dangerous thing he could do for himself. The group would be a support system, getting him through the long days, but it would also lead to the creation of a monster by the time he got out.

While being in there the best thing he could do is be alone and reflect on everything that had happened. Not getting dragged into something that was going to cause him more trouble.

“I’m going to get you out of here, Steph is going to speak to your parents. See if they will pay up and be the people they should have been a long time ago. But you need to work with us too, Gibson. Stop the fights.”