“It’s going to be okay,” Colton said. “But I don’t want the kids to see me being put in a cop car in handcuffs.”
His sister nodded and then hugged him. Colton squeezed her tightly, briefly, and then turned to jog down the stairs. He’d just reached the front door when he got an alert from the front gate.
He typed in the code, walked onto the front porch, and waited for the cavalry.
Gretchen suddenly appeared at his side. “Go back inside,” he said quietly, not daring to look at her.
“I’m not leaving you. They need to hear what really happened.”
“Look at me.” He finally dared to meet her eyes. They shimmered with angry, guilty tears. “This is not your fault. I made my own choices, and I would do it a million times again to protect you.”
Two police cruisers drove up the driveway with the words williamson county sheriff emblazoned on the sides. Colton’s heart stopped and sputtered as the doors opened and uniformed deputies stepped out.
One took charge. “Colton Wheeler?”
“Yes.”
“We have a warrant for your arrest on the charge of felony assault.”
“Jesus,” his father whispered. Colton hadn’t even heard the old man come out.
Without looking at him, Colton said, “Dad, take Gretchen inside.”
“No,” Gretchen argued.
“Please, Gretchen. This is humiliating enough. I can’t stand for you to see this.”
“I’ll take her,” his mom said. Again, he hadn’t even been aware of her presence. “Let’s go, honey.”
“Don’t come back out,” he ordered. “Promise me.”
“Colton . . .”
He looked down at her and attempted to smile. “It’ll be okay. I’m big-time Colton Wheeler, remember?”
Her expression didn’t change. But she finally nodded, and with a shuddered breath, she let his mom walk her back inside. The click of the front door was the last thing he heard before two more cars sped up the driveway. The cops reacted with tense stances and hands on their weapons.
“It’s my manager and my attorney,” Colton said, his voice shaking.
Buck and Desiree left their cars running as they got out. “Let me see the warrant,” Desiree demanded.
Buck jogged to where Colton stood. “I’ll meet with Archie, and we’ll get started on a statement.”
“What’s it going to say?”
“That we look forward to the dismissal of these ridiculous charges.”
“There’s a video, Buck.”
“Which never tells the whole story.”
The attorney finished reviewing the warrant and handed it back to the police officer. The officer stepped forward, an apologetic look on his face. “Sir, can you please turn around and place your hands on the door?”
“Oh my God,” his father whispered, lacing his fingers atop his head.
“It’s okay, Dad.” Colton obeyed the officer, flattening his palms against the front door. The only silver lining of the moment was that his mom, sister, and Gretchen couldn’t see it.
The officer came up behind him. “I’m going to search you now, sir. Are you carrying any weapons?”
“No.”
“Is there anything sharp in your pockets that I need to be aware of?”
“No.”
The officer quickly patted him down. Apparently satisfied, he stepped back and said, “I’m going to read you your rights now, sir.”
That brought another expletive from his father’s mouth.
“Please put your hands behind your back, sir,” the police officer said, after advising him he had the right to remain silent.
Colton couldn’t pretend to be brave after that, not when he heard the cold click of handcuffs and felt them tighten around his wrists. His knees shook, and his breath caught in his throat. “I’m sorry you had to see this, Dad,” he said, voice tight.
“Where are you taking him?” Desiree asked.
“He’ll be booked at the Williamson County Jail.”
“Can he post bond?” his father asked.
“That’ll be up to the court.”
“We’ll be right behind you,” Desiree said.
“Me too,” his father added.
The officer put one hand on his shoulder and the other atop his shackled wrists. With a nudge, he led Colton down the porch steps and toward the waiting cruiser.
“I’m going to place my hand on your head now, sir, as I place you in the back of the car.”