For The Love Of A Bad Boy

V

"You're late," Jeremy said as soon as I walked into the house.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"You said you'd be on time."

"I'm sorry."

"It's almost eleven."

"I had to finish my homework. Which is your number one rule."

"Were you with Anthony?"

"Yes."

"If he's going to make you this late everyday, I don't want you to see him."

"It was just this once, Jeremy. It won't happen again."

"Wait, come sit down."

"Why?"

"Sam,"

"Okay." I fell on the couch next to him.

"I learned something today....and I think you should know."

I nodded, not really listening.

"Anthony has a record. I looked him up at the station today."

I didn't understand.

"A record? You mean...a criminal record?"

"Yes. I didn't remember him until I looked at his file."

"Remember what?"

"I arrested him about two and a half years ago for robbing a liquor store."

"You must have him confused with somebody else."

"His last name is Gaines, right?"

"Yes."

"He was the only Anthony in the system."

"It could of been another Anthony Gaines. He's not the only person in the world with that name."

"Does he have brown hair and blue eyes? Tons of tattoos?"

"Yeah, that sounds like him....but..."

"Sam, I'm sorry. It was him."

"Maybe it's not as bad as your making it. He could of done it for a good reason."

"There is no good reason to rob a store."

"You don't know him. You don't know what he was going through."

"Neither do you."

"I don't believe you. You're lying because you don't like him."

"Of course I don't like him. I arrested the kid."

"But you don't know anything about him."

"You're taking this so personally because he's your boyfriend. I get it."

"But....why wouldn't he tell me?"

"If you had a criminal record, would you advertise it?"

I shook my head. Jeremy was right. I wouldn't of told anyone.

"What else was in his file?" I asked, even though I didn't want to hear the answer.

"Mostly domestic violence."

"Like, fights and stuff?"

"Yes. Sam, I'm so sorry you had to hear this from me. I know how much Anthony means to you."

"Tell me none of this is true. Tell me you're joking, Jeremy."

"I'm not."

"What now? I can't see him anymore?"