Hardin Scott has been madly in love with Tessa Young since the moment he first laid eyes on her, but there's no way she could ever see him as anything more than a friend. After all, he's a bad boy with a promiscuous past and she's a sweet and innoce...
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Neil's trial begins in a couple hours. I've never seen Tessa this nervous before.
"How does this outfit look?" Tessa asks as she comes out of the bathroom.
"It looks great, but so did the last five, Tess."
"I just need to find something suitable for court, but also something that doesn't make me look too attractive."
"What?"
"I don't want anyone to think I was dressing in a way that was asking for what Neil did to me."
"Tessa, it doesn't matter how you dress. It doesn't matter how any woman dresses. No one asks for someone to violate them."
"I know... But not everyone thinks like that."
"They should." I wrap my arms around her. "But don't worry, you look very professional today."
"Okay," she replies quietly.
"Do we have to pick up Emma?"
"No. She's meeting us at the courthouse."
"Okay. We should get going. Are you ready?"
"No, but I just want this to be over with."
"Remember you have nothing but love and support from Emma and me."
"I know. I'm so lucky to have both of you."
"I love you. Always." I kiss her forehead and then walk her out the door and to the car.
The whole car ride Tessa fidgets with her hands while she nervously shakes her legs and stares out the window.
"Tess, do you need to talk about anything?" I ask as I look over at her.
She doesn't say anything and instead only shakes her head no. I reach over and gently squeeze her thigh.
I pull into the parking lot and hold Tessa's hand as we walk into the building.
"Hardin, let's find Emma."
"Okay, Tess," I agree as she pulls me down a long hall. As we're walking, I'm watching Tessa to make sure she's okay, when she suddenly tightens her grip on my hand.
"Hardin..." she squeaks.
"What is it, baby?"
She doesn't speak, but a look of fear washes over her face. I turn around to see what she's looking at. Neil is being led down the hall in handcuffs. As he passes us, he gives Tessa a malicious grin as he licks his lips. I feel Tessa tug on my arm as he locks eyes with her.
I can't control myself. "Don't you fucking dare look at her!" I yell. "I'll fucking rip your-"
"Hardin..." Tessa whispers as she tugs on my arm again.
I realize I've caught the attention of an officer, so I try my best to control myself as I lead Tessa down the hall. "Are you okay?"
"I don't think I can do this."
"Tess..."
"Did you see the way he looked at me? He was proud of what he did."
"I know. If it wasn't for that officer, I would have ripped his dick off."
"I knew this was a bad idea," Tessa says as she shakes her head.
"What was?"
"All of this... Bringing you, agreeing to testify... The trial hasn't even started and I feel like I'm about to have a break down."
"I'm sorry, Tessa. I'm not going to lie. It's going to be hard to watch him sit there as you describe what he did to you without going over and killing him."
"Hardin, you can't-"
"I know. I won't screw up your chance to send him to prison." I look at Tessa and notice she has tears in her eyes. "Tessa, do you want to go? I know I've been encouraging you to do this, but I can't watch you get this upset anymore. If you want to go, we will."
"Tessa!" Emma calls out as she walks toward us. "Oh, Tessa, are you okay?" she asks as she gives her a hug.
"No," Tessa cries. "I just saw Neil and I don't know if I can do this."
"You can. You have so much courage for showing up today to help make sure he can't do this to anyone else. I'm so proud of you," Emma says and hugs her again.
"Okay, I'll do it," Tessa announces.
"Are you sure, Tess?" I ask with concern.
"Yes. I can't let him get away with this. I need to do this for myself and for all those other girls who are in there feeling the same way I am right now."
"Okay, baby." I hug her and kiss the top of her head.
Emma and I walk Tessa back toward the courtroom. As we enter the room, I watch Tessa. I can tell she's trying to hide how scared she is and all I want to do is pick her up and bring her home with me.
"Okay, I think you guys need to sit here while I go talk to them," Tessa says as she points to a bunch of professionally dressed people gathered at the front of the courtroom.
"Okay, Tess, we'll both be here if you need us. You're going to do great. I love you." I kiss her and then watch her walk away.
