If I Was Your Boyfriend

Justin’s Point of View

I run my sweaty palms against my slacks. How could it be taking this long? Mark basically showed them that Carter’s dangerous and should not see the light of day again. How much more did the jury possibly need to know? It’s an open and shut case, as they say on TV. I look at Chrissy who was standing amongst her mom and Danielle. So strong and so brave. I could never say it enough. I was in constant awe of her. I could feel the engagement ring burning against my leg. I’ve carried it around with me every single day for the last three weeks. Waiting for the perfect opportunity. For all of this to be over. I think back to our flight from Paris where I asked her if she’d ever marry me. She told me to ask her again once this Carter nonsense was behind us. We were so close. Danielle says something that I couldn’t hear but it makes all of them smile over at me. Chrissy nods her head, mouthing over an I love you to me. I say it back as my dad walks over to me.

‘I’m going to be heading back tomorrow.’ He speaks sitting down in the chair beside me. ‘First thing in the morning.’

‘I can’t thank you enough for being here.’

‘I’d always be here for you.’ He slaps my back a couple times before heading off to talk with my mom.

I wish Jax and Jaz could’ve made the trip too but with school and the chaos of the trial, Erin wasn’t having it. Which, I understood. I didn’t blame her honestly. I wanted to be as far away from this as possible but I had a legal obligation to be here. God, what is taking so long? Just reach the verdict already. It’s not that hard. Mark told us that we could leave earlier this morning but we all decided to wait it out at the court house just in case they decided soon. Chrissy makes her way through all of our family and friends sitting down across from me in the uncomfortable court chairs.

‘I’m actually getting scared,’ She confesses softly, ‘I mean it shouldn’t be taking them this long, right?’

‘C’mon.’ I whisper extending my hand out to her, not wanting everyone listening in. Sure, they were more supportive than we could ever ask but no one could comprehend what Chrissy and I went through with Carter. No matter how many times we retell the story with all the gory details, they’ll never get that same experience. We were on a whole ‘nother playing field when it came to Carter. It’s something that we endured together, and sadly enough, I kind of want to thank Carter in a sick way. It brought us closer than ever imaginable. We’re stronger together and apart now because of it.

‘Where are we going?’ Chrissy wonders quietly, breaking into my thoughts.

‘Somewhere.’ I shrug, not really knowing where I was headed in this massive court house. Some reporters waiting in the halls for the verdict immediately bombard us with questions. I tighten my grip on Chrissy as we rush through the mass of people. I probably should’ve enlisted Paul on this little rendezvous of ours but I want her all to myself right now. I knew how selfish that sounded but I didn’t care. I lead her all the way up the staircase and onto the roof. Thankfully, the court’s security stopped the reporters from following us a few levels ago. We sit down on the rough gravel, away from everyone and hidden from the paparazzi on the streets waiting for a glimpse of the action, ‘How’s this?’

‘Well, I don’t feel so crowded anymore.’ She smiles, nestling against my shoulder, ‘What do you think the jury’s talking about down there?’

‘I don’t know.’ I answer honestly at a loss for words, ‘Maybe they’re just trying to rationalize how someone can be like Carter.’

‘I don’t think you can,’ She stifles out a half-hearted laugh, ‘There is no rationalizing that monster.’

‘I think that you should come on tour with me and Rocky for a couple of shows, once this is all over.’ I decide to change the subject. I was leaving in a couple of days and I didn’t want to be away from her, ‘I know you have some stuff lined up but we have a lot of fun on tour.’

‘A few shows.’ She agrees with a happy nod, ‘I love being on tour with you.’

‘Chrissy, Justin!’ Danielle and Garrett stand in the doorway slightly out of breath, ‘It’s time.’

I look at Chrissy in the same second she looks at me, glad to see I wasn’t the only one who was nervous. I grab a hold of her hand and hurry down the stairs behind Garrett and Danielle. I straighten out my suit as I slide in next to Chrissy in the front row. Carter stands at his table, shooting me daggers with every passing second. As my way of throwing in one final screw you I wrap an arm around Chrissy, knowing how crazy it drove him. The judge comes in and sits in his high chair, allowing everyone to be seated. Thank God, I swear my legs felt like Jell-O right now. The jury strolls in and I impatiently wait as they all take their seats. I tuned out just about everything that was said until the juror at the end stands to her feet. Chrissy grabs a hold of my hand, squeezing it tightly. The juror glances down at the paper and back up at all of the eyes watching her attentively.

‘We the jury, find the defendant, guilty.’ It was all I could hear before the room breaks out in applause and various gasps. The judge slams down his gavel like in all of the crime sows Chrissy loves so much, demanding silence.

Chrissy stares forward stunned, her mouth nearly falling open as she interlaces her fingers together. Almost like when she won her very first award. It was the same look. Sentencing would take place a month from now, but we didn’t have to come back. I was definitely coming back to watch them slam the door behind Carter finally.

‘Chrissy, we were supposed to be together! I love you, Chrissy!’ Carter continuously shouts out things toward Chrissy as he’s practically shoved out by the court officer.

Chrissy shudders beside me, listening to his distant rambling. As an instinct, I wrap my arms around her, wanting to protect Chrissy once again. This time we didn’t need it. Carter was finally leaving out lives – for good. The judge then thanks the jury for their service and I wanted to run over there thanking them myself but I refrain. Everyone huddles together in the front of the court room, hugging one another. The entire time I never took my eyes off of Chrissy, part of me wondering if Carter would somehow break through and steal her. After seeing what Carter could do, I wouldn’t be surprised if he tried one more time. A mass of people waited for us outside – fans, photographers, and dozens of spectators. Everyone was pushing and pulling one another, trying to get towards us for a comment. The cops and Paul form a human barricade so we could make it to my car.

‘Everyone’s meeting up at the house tonight.’ I inform her once we were away from all of the madness, ‘For a little celebration in our honor.’

From the driver’s seat, I could see the genuine wide smile on her face. She couldn’t stop smiling if she wanted to. It was like the heaviest weight in the world was finally off her shoulders. We were finally free to go on with our lives. Part of me wanted to pull over right here on the busy highway and get down one knee. I was just that ready to ask her but I knew it had to be special to top the first botch attempt. I glance over at her once more smiling to myself, she had no idea.

Chrissy’s Point of View

The moment Justin and I make it to his house, he pops open the champagne he had out just in case today went our way. I loop my arm through his, tilting the glass back happily. ‘Congratulations to you, baby.’ Justin smiles lowering his glass.

‘Congratulations to us.’ I correct wrapping my arms around his neck. ‘We did it.’
Rocky runs from upstairs with his tail wagging wildly, ready to let out to roam his expansive backyard. Pretty soon, the caters arrive and get ready for the party Justin organized.

‘Hey, I’m going to head to my apartment and get changed for the party.’ I inform him, grabbing the keys to my car.

‘Alright,’ Justin turns his attention away from the chef in the kitchen, ‘See you soon. I love you.’

‘I love you too.’ I smile kissing his cheek before slipping out to the garage.

‘Hello, Miss. Chrissy. I wasn’t expecting you today.’ Harmon speaks as he helps me out of the car, ‘I was just thinking about you with the news and all. I believe congratulations are in order.’

‘Thank you, Harmon. I’ve missed being here and seeing you. You always know how to make me feel so at home.’ I smile before going to the elevator.

I step through the door, instantly smelling the familiarity of my own place. With the trial going on, I hadn’t been in my apartment over an hour in the last few weeks. Justin invited me to stay with him at his house for as long as I wanted or needed. Now that the trial’s over, I wonder just how much things would change.