The Harder I Fall by Jessica Gibson Read Free Book Online Page B

just bail me out?”
    “How am I supposed to do that, Chad? I’m across the country; it’s not like I can just hop in the car.”
    “I don’t know, Becs, but please figure it out. Mom says even if she had the money she won't help. She says I get what I deserve.”
    My heart was breaking, listening to my fifteen-year-old brother sound so scared and dejected. “Where are you?” I scrubbed my hand over my face.
    Levi watched me from where he lay on the couch as I frantically scribbled information down on a piece of scrap paper.
    “Hang in there, okay? I’m going to see what I can do from my end. I can’t promise anything. I don’t even know what your bail is or what needs to happen.”
    “Thanks, Becs. I’m so sorry.”
    “I know you're sorry. What did you do?”
    He sighed. “I got busted with drugs.”
    “Drugs? Since when have you been mixed up with drugs? I haven't been gone for that long.”
    “I don’t need a lecture right now. I feel bad enough.”
    “Look, I love you, okay? I’m not going to lecture you now, but you can bet your ass you’ll get one later.”
    “I have to go; they’re taking me back to the holding cell,” he said.
    “I love you.”
    “Yeah, I love you, too. Thank you for helping.”
    I put my phone on the table and let the tears that I had been holding in fall down my cheeks. “What is it?” Levi swooped me into his arms and held me while I cried.
    “Chad’s been arrested, and I don't know what I’m going to do.”
    “What’s his bail?”
    “I don't know. I have to call and find out.”
    “Okay, well once you do that, we can come up with a game plan to help him. One thing at a time; don’t get yourself too worked up until we know how bad things are.” He rubbed my back as he spoke.
    I let him wipe the tears from my cheeks and kiss me. “I’m going to see what I can do from here.” I got up and went into my room so I could calm myself down before calling to see what could be done for Chad.
    I was torn between sadness for him and a burning anger toward my mother. What kind of person would let her child sit in jail? I shouldn't have to be the adult; I should be allowed to be a teenager for once in my life.
    With shaky hands, I picked up my phone again and made the necessary calls to get Chad out of the mess he’d gotten himself into. An hour later, I found out that he couldn’t be bailed out until he had his arraignment, and that wouldn’t be until Monday since it was a holiday weekend. One of the sucky things about living in a small town is that pretty much everything shut down. Chad was going to have to stay in jail until at least then. They also told me that he would need to be released to a responsible person when and if he was let out on bail. My stress level skyrocketed when the man said those words.
    Levi must have come in at some point, but I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear him until he touched my shoulder and scared me to death. “Sorry, thought you heard me come in.”
    “No, it’s my fault; I was just trying to figure out what to do. They said Chad won't be arraigned until at least Monday. I don't know how much it will cost, or if they will even let him out. I think I have to go home, too; he needs to be released to someone responsible. They won’t just let him walk out.”
    “Start packing then.” He got up and went into the other room.
    “Levi, I need to figure all of this out before I make a decision on anything. I don’t even know if I can afford it.”
    I could feel myself breaking down again, knowing that the money I had in my savings account would not cover any of this. “Just pack, I’ll take care of everything else.” He came back in and hugged me tightly against him. “Let me help.”
    I wanted to argue, and say some crap about how I could do it all by myself, but I was too tired and stressed out to say it. I grabbed my duffel bag and tossed some clothes in at random, not caring what they were. I heard Levi on the phone in