Reasonable Doubt ✔ | Open Novella Contest 2020 | Complete

Thirteen - Alex

What is going on here?

Curses, blood and sweat splatter the cement. The stopwatch in another observer's hand beeps, calling an end to the time. The skins win, Colt and Lawson high fiving.

Ducking his head Colt approaches the inmate he decked. Voice muffled through the kerchief on his bleeding nose, he growls, "We cool? Or are we going to do this again tomorrow?"

"N'aw, Cross," the other giant returns with a grudging nod. "We cool."

"Good," he grunts.

There's something animalistically beautiful about Colt in this moment. Maybe it's the month apart, my mind occupied with the trial and proceedings. Perhaps it's the confident stride, the sweat making his muscles glitter, or the fine film of grit over his chest and shoulders. Regardless, I am spellbound as he approaches me.

"Hey," he greets gruffly. He doesn't act surprised seeing me out of place like this. More annoyed than anything. "You're back."

"Yeah," I declare defiantly and nod toward the hoops. "What was that?"

Colt marches to the wall spigots with me on his heels. "What did it look like?"

"MMA-ball."

He lets out a sound somewhere between a cough and a laugh. "Pretty much."

"I thought basketball was a non-contact sport," I muse.

Bracing against the pylon, he turns on the water and lets it rinse the grime from his skin. My gaze tracks, envious of the water droplets that cling to the ripples on his belly and V above his shorts. I can't even pretend I'm cataloguing for injuries anymore. He's goddamn gorgeous.

I feel a cloying guilt, openly ogling him. Especially after what he's told me. I'm no better than that monster.

"That was Lawson and I settling a complaint with an unsatisfied customer. Subtly." He gives me a pointed look. "Unlike some people who have knock-down drag-out fights over the phones."

I throw my hands up. "That happened one time."

"You're like a Chihuahua," Colt jeers as we head toward the smoker's corner.

"I am not!"

"What's that quote? 'He may be tiny, but he is fierce'?"

"I'm only tiny compared to your 6'4" giant ass," I retort.

Colt doesn't bite back, just leans against the wall as we arrive at the handball courts. He pulls out his pack of Marlboros. So late in the rec period, most of the smokers have moved on, the runners shifted to calisthenics. It's only us.

Lighting the cigarette, he subtly passes the stinger and pack to me. "Don't even start with not being able to pay," he grunts when I open my mouth.

I light it. "Thanks."

"Hm."

When I look up to return the stinger, I'm surprised at how close Colt is standing. I suppose it's to block the view, prevent the COs seeing what we're doing. Still, it short-circuits me; conjures images of that night on his bunk.

He asked me something. I know he did. Only I'm too focused on the smoke trailing out his nostrils.

"What?"

"Your case," he repeats, voice husky. "How's it going?"

I scoff. "You still care?"

Colt cocks a brow. "Wouldn't have asked, otherwise."

I'm being passive aggressive. We both know it. Which is stupid. It's not Colt's fault the cell-move happened. Except he could have reached out, tried to talk. Not made me go out of place, chase him down, pretend like nothing's changed.

I feel it deep in my bones. The start of an earthquake, the epicenter at my heart.

"Good. Good." I answer, can't stop talking to his lips. "Um...judge - judge approved the appeal. F-found another suspect for Javier's murder."

A warm smile. "That's great, Alex."

Then it happens. His eyes deviate, flick down to my mouth and back up. That primal whisper ignites between us. A burning energy we've been ignoring suddenly searing anew.

Colt's eyes dilate and cloud, breathing goes ragged. I know he feels it, too.

Eager to see more of the bright hazel, I lean forward. He shifts, becomes almost pained. Brows furrowed, jaw set, gaze a mix of longing and regret.

A borderline painful grip on my wrist halts me as I reach for him. "Don't."

I tilt my chin. "Don't what?"

The tone is so dark and molten I feel it immediately in my nethers. "Don't do this to me, Alex." His nostrils flare, searching for control. "Don't look at me like that and expect me to restrain myself."

"Look at you how?" My voice is airy. When did I become such a chick?

Colt grunts. Only it's not the sexy kind. It's the one after your rip off a bandage.

Taking a step back, he plants his back firmly on the wall. Like maybe fusing his skin with the brick will ground him. It's an end to the conversation.

He takes a long pull on his cigarette. Then another. Until only the filter remains.

It hurts, this sudden distance. The cell move. Everything. He's purposefully digging a chasm between us; I need to know why.

"So, what's lawyer-lady's game plan?" Colt steers us back into safe territory.

I exhale a welcome lungful of smoke. "Release me of charges of murder."

"Not that simple," he scoffs with an eye roll. "What are they amending it to? Illegal conveyance? Receiving of stolen property?"

A deep drag, a mutter. "I'm...not sure." Hell, I'm not even sure what some of those terms mean.

Shaking his head, he lights another Marlboro as I finish mine. Odd - he's generally one and done. "Kind of important to know."

"Sorry," I snarl with perhaps a bit more malice than is warranted. "I didn't have seven fucking years to practice."

Colt doesn't rise. He never does. No matter how sharp or pissy I am, he remains centered.

"What hours are you in the law library?" When I tell him, he grins. "Good. I'll make some things happens. Let's see if we can't get you squared away."

AN://

Thank you for continuing to pay attention to this story. I appreciate all your comments and support <3.

How's the pacing? I'm trying not to focus too heavily on the legal proceedings. It's a lot of 'hurry up and wait' and isn't very exciting. This story is more about the interpersonal connections anyways ;)

Thoughts on Colt's continued attempts at distance? Or Alex's reaction to it?

Much love for you all <3. Thank you so much! I appreciate any and all input you have on this story and characters.

Stay safe out there!

~ T