The Pretend Boyfriend novel Chapter 93

Not that he's going to be a favorite of anyone here.

Unless ...

He met up with his mother before the proceedings.

"Brian," she says coolly. "You look well."

As well as he can under the circumstances. His mother is dressed in a well-cut Chanel suit. Her hair is impeccable, as always, but her hands betray a slight tremor and her eyes are slightly glazed. Brian knows what that means - his mother has indulged in her morning libations, as usual. The two sharp shots of alcohol would have rendered her into a pleasant stupor till mid-morning, so that she would be oblivious to whatever was happening around her, even if her eyes were fully open.

Some things never changed. He supposes he should be glad for her actually turning up at all.

"So do you, Mother," he says, kissing her cheek. She smells of dry twigs and pressed powder.

Sam is waiting behind him, and so he steps aside.

"Mother, this is my friend, Samantha. Samantha, this is my mother, Angelique."

Sam offers his mother a hand. Angelique shakes it with a weak grasp. Brian notices the liver spots on his mother's skin.

"I'm so glad to have finally met you," Sam gushes.

Brian knows Sam is trying to be nice because this is the first time she has ever met any member of his family. Well, don't hope for too much, Sammie.

Angelique does not return the sentiment. He knows he should have warned Sam about his mother. Don't expect any semblance of normalcy.

"I suppose I'd better check out the restroom before your trial, Brian," his mother says. "Good luck, just in case I don't manage to speak to you before it starts."

"Thank you, Mother." He allows her to kiss his cheek.

Then she turns tail and vanishes in the direction of the restrooms. Sam stares after her, the disappointment obvious on her face.

"Don't mind her," Brian says.

Sam gives him a smile. "At least she showed up."

Which echoes his sentiments perfectly.

"Caleb wanted to come too," he says, "but he couldn't get off work. Anyway, I don't want this trial to turn into circus freak show with all my friends showing up. It's not exactly as if I'm the good guy here."

"I know. But both Caleb and Cassie are behind you one hundred percent. You know that."

"Caleb maybe." He grimaces. "I'm sure Cassie won't mind seeing me tucked away behind bars for a millennium or two."

Sam's lack of response to this validates his observation. She straightens his tie in a loving gesture.

"You look like a million bucks," she says, changing the topic.

The courtroom hushes as Judge Cowan takes his seat amid a clatter of chair against floor. Then everyone takes their seats as well with scrapes and much adjusting. Brian's eyes stray to the jury again. He can feel them appraising him, taking in his careful appearance. The women in particular seem admiring of his looks. He hopes they are thinking that someone who wears Armani can't possibly be a rapist.

Fat chance.

He's not sure about the men though. From the way they are giving him the once over, they don't seem to have an opinion.

Yet.

The proceedings begin.

Norma Hennessey stands up. "The prosecution calls Delilah Faulkner to the stand."

Delilah Faulkner is not looking her best today. She is dressed in a simple black skirt suit - neat but not expensive looking. Her usually glorious red hair has been pulled back into a bun, and several strands stick out from it, giving her a slightly disheveled appearance. Her eyes are ringed and her face is very pale. Her usually lacquered fingernails have been pared down and bitten.

God, Brian thinks. She's really giving the jury a show. A prickle of discomfort creeps around his neck, and he has to loosen his tie.

A marshal swears Delilah in.

Brian tenses as Norma Hennessey goes through the preliminary identification questions. Then Delilah is ready to begin her story.

"Ms Faulkner, do you know the defendant, Brian Morton?"

Delilah stares hard at him. He meets her eyes. Her lower lip starts to tremble, and she clutches at the witness stand as if she is going to fall.