Scoring Position Strike Zone Series Book 3

Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Dillon

      I'd rather go back to yesterday, trying on tuxedos and dealing with Reese pouting and bitching over losing Molly, than sitting here today, waiting for my hearing to start. My whole life is on the line, and one way or another, I'm going to pay a price for a stupid mistake. A mistake that never would have happened if I hadn't been drugged and not known what I was doing.

      But I don't know if the judge will see it that way.

       Matt is sitting behind me with Bailey and the rest of the family, while Lance is next to me, sorting through his files and getting ready to start. Feeling a small hand touch my shoulder, I turn around and see Bailey's face just inches from mine. Leaning forward, she brushes her lips over mine.

      "It'll be okay. We're all behind you." Her encouragement is lost on me when I see Tipton walk into the courtroom behind us with Carla right on his heels. Figures that skank is following him around now that Nate's washed his hands of her.

      I knew he'd be here. Him along with the bartender, the girls who drugged us and the lab tech who ran my blood work are all set to testify. Tipton caused this whole situation, and for what? To keep me from playing ball? To keep Bailey and I apart? It doesn't make sense.

     Bailey looks over her shoulder and the tension rises visibly in her body but she looks back at me and nods. Neither of us are going to let him get away with what he tried to do to us. Before I can speak, the recorder and judge are let into the room. As we all get to our feet, for the first time in my life, I'm truly afraid of what will happen. I don't want to go to jail.

      The prosecutor gives his opening statement and describes me as a rich playboy, who thinks the rules don't apply. He says I frequent the bar on a regular basis. I'm accused of picking up different women, every time I'm in. He implies that I'm reckless, impulsive, and thoughtless. I hear my father swear under his breath, and a soft hiss of anger from Nate at the lies. It's not me he's describing, it's who Nate was before Kayleigh.

      Lance opens with another version of my character. Yes, I'm rich. Yes, I tend to hang out at the bar, but only for the company of friends, to watch a game or meet up with the team. I'm a family man, I date but I now have a steady relationship with a woman. The same woman who was once involved with the man who drugged me. The man who almost killed me and Reese. A man who, emotionally and physically, threatened her and tried to push us apart.

     "The evidence I'll submit to you is clear. Mr. Erik Tipton paid two ladies to drug my client and his friend. It was a powerful enough drug that caused them to lose sight of their capabilities and when they went to leave, drove them head on into an accident that almost cost both of them their lives." Lance glances at the door as it softly opens and closes. Looking over my shoulder, I see Blake Bradford slip into the last row of seats next to Chelsea.

      "We have witnesses who will state that this drug is a date rape drug. It's used to incapacitate its victims. This drug was used, not long ago, on another athlete. He is here to tell you first hand of his experience with it and what he went through. We know Dillon Segler shouldn't have gotten behind the wheel, but we believe that if he hadn't had the drug in his system, it never would've happened."

      And I hope the judge will see the truth in these statements and agree.

      One by one, Lance presents his case. From the lab tech explaining the drug, it's effects and dosage that was in my system, to the girls who admit to slipping it into our drinks. He makes his case clear and concise. I wasn't responsible for what happened, due to my condition that was out of my control.