Chapter 45 | Jasper

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It doesn't feel like it's been two days since Beckett and I said we loved each other. Yet here I am sat in a court room; my tie unbelievably tight.

I keep yanking at it and swallowing, I feel like I'm being choked out. I know it's not that tight, Beckett tied it for me this morning and he asked me 30 times if it was okay, to make sure I was comfortable. I'm just stressed.

Do I regret punching his dad? Absolutely fucking not, but I do regret this being the outcome. Yes.

I don't want to put my mom through this, put Beckett through this, put our relationship ship through this. That might be what has me most worried. My mom won't leave me if I end up in jail, she'll be sad and frustrated and angry, but I won't lose her. Would I lose Beckett?

If the judge decides I need to spend time in a cell would that be it? Can a boy from manning heights really be with an inmate? An ex-con?

I doubt it.

I rub my hands down my pants trying to remove the moisture that's growing on them. I feel gross, since when do I sweat this much? I've never been good at the waiting game and unfortunately for me the judge's last case ran late. She'll be here shortly. Soon. Any time now. That's what Mr.Finley keeps telling me.

"Stop stressing she'll be here any time now"

I grunt I've exhausted any energy I had to keep answering him. I'm going to be stressed until this day is done. I've been avoiding letting myself turn around, but for a split second I turn my head and glance at Beckett. He's sitting behind me shifting uncomfortably on a wooden bench that I imagine isn't nearly as comfortable as the chair I'm in. At least mine has a cushion.

He keeps fidgeting with the buttons on his suit jacket. I press my lips together pursing them. I'm sorry he's going through this, it won't be easy.

He meets my eye and I wish I could say that like in the movies it washes away my worries, but it doesn't. It makes me clench my fists and wish I could get up and go to him.

I swing back around when Mr.Finley taps my arm. That's when I notice the side door opening and everyone stands. The judge has arrived. She takes her time getting to her seat and hums before sitting down.

"Case 148 Jasper Collins vs Bill Harrison"

I study her face when she reads Beckett's dad's name. Watching, waiting for a moment of recognition, it eases little tension when I don't see one.

She finally looks up and her glasses slide down her nose slightly before she pushes them back clearing her throat.

"Mr.Harrison please take the stand"

I clench my first and Mr.Finley gives me a look before muttering.

"Keep it together, he's going to paint a picture don't become his art"

My teeth gnash together. I'm nervous, I know how to control my temper, but with Beckett's dad I'm worn thin. I can't believe I'm even sat here, debating if that fucking wolf in sheeps clothing is right in all of this. If my defending Beckett was wrong. I know it wasn't. This is all a show, it's always a show, but for once I don't plan on it going how Beckett's dad expects.

The judge gestures to Beckett's fathers lawyer to begin his interrogation. He clears his throat and it's like the rest of the noise in the courtroom ceases. A dull buzzing behind me as he speaks.

"Mr.Harrison, could you in the best of your abilities recount the events that occurred three nights ago"

Beckett's father takes a breath before wincing and pressing his fingertips to his head.

"Sorry I've been experiencing some pain"

Mr.Finley scoffs lowly beside me and I grit my teeth harder, what a fucking performer.

I'm surprised when the judge gives him a look.

"Mr.Harrison, answer the question"

Beckett's fathers demeanour flickers for a moment before he composes himself and nods.

"Yes your honor"

"On that night I had my son Beckett come over with both his close family friend Derek, and his mentee Jasper. Over dinner we discussed the potential of moving and Beckett became upset. You know my boy grew up in that house, it holds many fond memories of his time together with his late brother.."

Mr.Finley jumps up "objection! Relevance?"

The judge nods "this isn't a daytime tv interview Mr.Harrison keep to the facts"

Beckett's father begins to tap his fingers on the table, but nods.

"I apologize your honour"

He swallows before continuing.

"Beckett and I engaged in a heated argument and without warning Jasper Collins, that boy right there.."

My eyes narrow and I can't help, but glare daggers at him when he points at me.

"He hit me unprovoked, it happened so fast, I was given medical advised bed rest for two days!"

Again Mr.Finley objects, stating the extent of Mr.Harrison's injuries was not part of the question. For the second time today the judge agrees with him and the jury is asked to disregard that comment. Beckett's fathers lawyer continues.

"Mr.Harrison, have you had previous encounters with Jasper Collins before?"

I watch as he nods.

"I have, he accompanied my family and stayed in our beach house for a weekend. After we so kindly requested and offered to board him"

I squeeze my eyes shut trying to keep my cool. He's painting it like it's a pity favour to me, when really he needed me to show off didn't he?!

"Mr.Harrison, did you observe any violent outbursts from Jasper Collins during this time?"

I watch his father through narrowed eyes.

"There wasn't any situations I witnessed first hand, although I was informed of a violent incident taking place a beach not far from our cottage"

Beckett's fathers lawyer hums and purses his lips glancing at the jury before turning back to Beckett's dad.

"Mr.Harrison, is there any reason at all Jasper Collins may have wanted to harm you in the way he did?"

Beckett's dads eyes slide over to me and I hold his gaze. I stare him down and I hope he feels how he will on judgment day, but he doesn't. Instead in all of his vile glory he slides his eyes from mine, clears his throat, and declares that

"There is no reason known to me, that Jasper Collins would want to harm me in anyway"

My hands are gripping the arms of my chair so tight they're starting to ache, but it's the only thing holding me back from having an outburst. Jumping up and screaming that he's a fucking liar.

"No further questions your honour"

Mr.Finley stands up and I turn to him confused. He shakes his head.

"Cross examination, he's my witness now"

I blink, but just watch as he approaches the stand and turns toward the judge.

"You may begin Mr.Finley"

I can't think of what else he might ask Beckett's father, after he's going to lie either way.

"Mr.Harrison, if as you say Jasper Collins had no prior reason to harm you is it then possible you gave him a reason during the argument you had with your son?"

Beckett's father looks annoyed and only shakes his head.

"No I don't believe so"

Mr.Finley nods and continues.

"Mr.Harrison confirm for me, was your argument with Beckett purely verbal?"

Beckett's father nods immediately.

"Yes of course"

I have to hold back a smirk when Mr.Finley's lip tilts up, he doesn't believe this guy either.

"In that case did you perhaps say something offensive? Hurtful? Anything that would have provoked Jasper?"

I watch as Beckett's dad huffs and leans forward.

"I am a respectable man Mr.Finley, I act accordingly"

Mr.Finley shakes his head looking as if he's holding back a chuckle.

"That doesn't answer my question Mr.Harrison, did you say something that could have provoked Jasper Collins to hit you?"

Beckett's father glares at Mr.Finley and crosses his arms.

"No. I never did anything to provoke that hotheaded trailer trash to hit me"

The judge gasps and shakes her head.

"Mr.Harrison! That behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in my court room."

Beckett's father only mutters an apology. The judge shakes her head in disbelief and nods at Mr.Finley to continue.

"Did you Mr.Harrison hit Jasper? Or physically engage with him in any violent way?"

I narrow my eyes, waiting for the lid to slither out of his mouth as it always does, but this time I'm left dissatisfied. Beckett's father doesn't lie, instead he nods.

"In an act of self defence"

Mr.Finley lifts a brow, I'm sure he also was not expecting a confession from Beckett's dad.

"Could you please describe what is it you did to Jasper Collins in this act of self defence?"

Mr.Harrison shakes his head this time.

"I'm uncertain, I hit him back I suppose"

This has me rolling my eyes.

"Is this the first time you've hit someone Mr.Harrison?"

Beckett's father shrugs.

"Aside from a few minor squabbles in my youth yes"

Mr.Finley hmms.

"So you deny that you've been involved in any physical altercations recently? Say perhaps this year?"

I watch Beckett's father intensely. I'm not sure what Mr.Finley has up his sleeve, but he seems very confident and that's what I need to see at this moment.

"Of course not"

That's when Mr.Finley loses composure for a second and cracks just a small smile, buries there and I know he's about to let the ball drop.

"If that is the case, then why two months ago did you get treated for lacerations on your knuckles and two broken fingers?"

Beckett's father physically stills. He receivers quickly, but I hope his slip up is enough for the jury to see. To read into him.

"I fell"

Mr.Finley looks intrigued by Beckett's fathers answer.

"You fell? And landed on your knuckles?"

Beckett's father clenches his jaw. The vein in his forehead pulsing.

"Correct"

Mr.Finley purses his lips nodding, smirking.

"That's all your honour"

They bring up Beckett's mom first and although I'm expecting it to go over like a dumpster fire, she does a great job.

When Beckett's dads lawyer is finished interrogating her Mr.Finley goes up and has his turn.

"Hello Mrs.Harrison"

Beckett's mother gives him a small smile.

"Can you recount the events that occurred leading up to your husbands assault?"

Beckett's mother makes a face and shakes her head.

"Soon to be ex husband, I've filed for divorce"

Beckett's father glares at her and I have to try not to chuckle, Beckett's mother filed for divorce hut yesterday and to say Beckett's father wasn't happy would be the least. I'm just happy to see she's not backing down.

Mr.Finley apologizes.

"My bad, soon to be ex husband then"

Beckett's mom nods and begins her recount like she was asked. I listen as she recalls the details she can remember, she doesn't lie, she doesn't stretch the truth, and she doesn't defend him. I'm relieved when she gets off the stand.

Derek gets on the stand and his testimony is just as straight and to the point as hers. Beckett's father hit Beckett, I was defending him. Simple as that. When I go up I'm not bothered anymore. I'm a lot more confident in myself and my actions knowing everyone is willing to defend me, and support me. Beckett is the last witness, but he looks uneasy.

I'm surprised because everyone else seems to be fairly content right now, the atmosphere in the room after his mothers testimony has been a lot lighter then it was previously. Beckett however, does not seem to carry the same attitude.

"Beckett, can you please explain the court why your father hit you provoking Jasper"

Beckett takes one look at Mr.Finley before sliding his eyes to his father and settling them there. The pit of my stomach starts to burn and I know he's about to do something.

"My father hit me because that is what he's done my entire life, my father; Mr.Bill Harrison has been hitting me my entire life. That is why he hit me three days ago, it's how he keeps control"

Beckett takes in a breath before continuing.

"He's a vile man who beat his children until one of them couldn't take it any longer and killed himself. Drove his car into a tree to escape him."

The court erupts in gasps and whispers. Everyone shocked at this new revelation. The judge hits her gavel loudly calling out for "order in the court!" No one listens. It takes another minute or so before everyone finally stops.

"Let's take a recess. Attorneys in my chambers"

Beckett's father stands abruptly and storms from the room slamming the doors as he goes. Beckett only stares at the door where he's gone.

I stay planted in my seat unsure what's happening now. Beckett just did it, he revealed the monster under the mask. He finally looks over to me and meets my eye. A second later he's out of his seat and wrapping his arms around me. I didn't even notice I hand stood up.

"You did it"

He sobs against me before whispering.

"I did it Jordan"

•••
This chapter has been LOOOONG awaited. I know. I honestly struggled to write it because I've never been to court and I have no fucking idea how things are supposed to go so I really was doing my best to use my minimal knowledge of courtrooms to shape this trial. That being said I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I'm going to do my best to have the next chapter up, much faster.

As always thank you for being the sweetest most patient readers and for always sticking with me :)

Word Count: 2227


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