The Wall

Hadlee wanted to bang her head on counsel table. Sometimes she felt that she sounded like Charlie Brown's teacher when she explained the reason why her clients shouldn't testify on their own behalf. Hadlee was pretty sure it sounded something like you have the right not to incriminate yourself wawa wawa. She wanted to scream. Remarkably the Judge seemed to be warming up to Hadlee and was at least looking directly at her when she spoke and not at the cross word puzzle book in his hand. Hadlee explained to her client for the last time he was not taking the stand. Hadlee told the Judge that the defense did not intend to call witnesses and was ready for closing arguments. Hadlee looked down at her phone on council table and saw she missed a call from Kevan.

Hadlee: Hey I'm still in court.
Kevan: Brad and I here around the court house. Thought you might want to go to lunch.
Hadlee: Closing arguments then I'm done. We are on a recess right now. It will probably be an hour before I can leave.
Kevan: We can hang out.
Brad: Nope we are coming up to watch your moves.
Hadlee: Well now is the time to sneak in if you want to watch the side show.
Kevan: You sure. Brad kind of inserted himself in our conversation. We can stay down here or meet you at the coffee shop.
Brad: Of course she is sure.

Hadlee replied to both of them to come on up. Hadlee had butterflies in her stomach. She liked closing arguments normally, but it was different with Kevan watching. Hadlee saw them sneak into the back of the court room. She laughed because they were dressed alike again. Boy band stealth mode. Both guys had ball caps pulled down low over their eyes. Hadlee walked back to talk to them before the Judge came back to the bench. Kevan watched Hadlee come down the aisle of the courtroom. Hadlee had on a tight black suit with a yellow shirt underneath. She had the new shoes on as well. Kevan liked seeing her in Bruins colors. He really liked those shoes. Her hair was braided back away from her face. Professional Hadlee at her hottest. Brad elbowed him as she walked down the aisle and said something about letting Hadlee prosecute him. Kevan glared at Brad. Brad smirked at him and stood up quickly as Hadlee approached. Brad started to grab her and hug her. Kevan smacked him and said "dude we are filthy don't muss her up." Hadlee laughed at them both.

"You always wear Bruins colors to court?" asked Brad

"Nope, coincidence. You guys have to take your ball caps off. No hats in the court room."

Kevan and Brad looked at each other. So much for low profile. The boys pulled the Under Armor hats off and laid them on the bench. Kevan wanted to kiss Hadlee but was pretty sure that would draw even more attention. Kevan saw motion in the front of the courtroom and Hadlee darted back to counsel table. The bailiff announced all rise and the judge took the bench. Kevan watched as Hadlee leaned in and spoke to her client. Her blonde head was bowed and she was scribbling on a legal tablet. Kevan listened to the other attorney rambling about trafficking drugs. Hadlee was writing the entire time that the other attorney was talking. Once he stopped talking Hadlee took her place at the podium.

Kevan watched as Hadlee addressed the court and the jury. He was amazed with her composure. He her southern accent was more pronounced after having listened to the first attorney. Hadlee was explaining the defendants past, he current goals, and what the future held for him. He gathered that the boy was very young maybe even younger than Dougie. He listened to her talk about how the local law enforcement is actively seeking confidential informants and use this leverage to make the young boys continue to traffic drugs. She spoke of the night in question. She told the jury it was late, it was dark, the perpetrator was hooded, and law enforcement was 100 yards away. Hadlee told the jury that if the police officer was so sure of what he saw that night why did he not arrest him on the spot. Why did he wait months? Why didn't he want this alleged dangerous drug dealer off the street? Hadlee asked if anyone would stake their life on something they saw a 100 yards away at midnight?

Brad nudged Kevan. "Your girl is pretty fucking awesome." Kevan nodded and kept quiet. The judge gave the jurors some instructions and dismissed those still in the courtroom. Kevan and Brad stood in the back of the room. Hadlee glanced back at them and smiled. She turned to her client and was talking with him before the bailiff was to take him back to jail.

Hadlee's client leaned close to Hadlee and asked if he could ask her a question that had nothing to do with the court case. Hadlee hated this part of the job, but was polite and said yes. He said why are Brad Marchand and Kevan Miller hanging out at my trial. Hadlee looked back at the guys. They were obviously trying to stay out of the public eye. Hadlee just laughed. The bailiff took him back towards holding.

Hadlee went to the back of the courtroom and stepped between Brad and Kevan. Kevan took Hadlee's trial box from her hands.

"You keep your suitcase and I will pack this for you." said Kevan "So what is next for your client?"

"We wait for the jury to return a verdict. If it is quick I might have to cut out of lunch." replied Hadlee.

"We ran over so I guess we will walk to lunch but Marchy here would fit in your car."

"My car is awesome" said Hadlee " just because you're a giant hockey boy doesn't mean there is anything wrong with my adorable car. I might just take Brad for a ride."

"Hadlee say the word babe. I' m yours" laughed Brad dodging Kevan. "You realize he can kill me right? Not saying your not worth it. But if I'm going to be murdered by a teammate...."

"Damn it Marchand!" growled Kevan as he pulled Hadlee to his side "don't finish that fucking sentence."
Brad and Hadlee started laughing. "He has no sense of humor. Always serious. Makes Tazer look like a party."

"Tazer?" inquired Hadlee "another Bruin?"

"I forgot. I need to show you my moves and teach you about hockey. Millsy you found a keeper. The one girl in America not gaga about Toews and Kane. They are Blackhawks." replied Marchy.

"Speaking of hot hockey boys you owe me a me a hot pic." Hadlee turned to look at Kevan. He smirked at her and said later.

"Millsy if you have hot pics of Hadlee it's only fair you share" Brad wiggled his eyebrows at Hadlee.
"No chance in hell!" replied Kevan.

Hadlee and the guys walked into a small cafe adjacent to the courthouse. They ordered and sat at a small table outside. Brad was loud and telling Hadlee stories about the locker room, travel, and games in general. He explained the different hockey positions and described the basic rules. Kevan watched as Brad put Hadlee through hockey 101. She was trying to catch on but sugar and equal were no substitute for a real game.

"Okay what position do I play?" asked Brad

"You're a wing. You move the puck and score." said Hadlee

"What about your boy here?" he asked.

"Kevan plays defense. I know that much. Caroline explained that much. I am assuming it's like football and the defense squad keeps them from scoring."

"Not bad for 15 minutes" Kevan was amazed at how easy she talked to Marchand. He was often an acquired taste. " 1 forward, 2 wings, 2 d men play in shifts. We have 4 lines of that combo. Kevan is like you said trying to keep them from scoring and even getting the puck. He is also an enforcer of sorts. He protects the team. Makes sure no one pushes our team around. Tuuk stays in the goal at all times."

Hadlee's phone rang. It was her secretary telling her she had 15 minutes before the verdict would be read.
"Not a good sign that the jury came back this quick. Usually a guilty verdict." Hadlee was talking as she cleaned up the remnants of lunch and put away her sweet hockey players.

"You were a total bad ass." said Brad " kid is lucky you're his attorney."

"Brad's right. You were awesome in there." Kevan folded Hadlee up in hug. Hadlee loved how strong and solid he felt. Hadlee stood on her tip toes and kissed his chin. Kevan angled his head kissed Hadlee. They stood there tangled up with each other until Brad cleared his throat. Hadlee looked at her watch and said she was going to be late.

Brad yelled "no fair Millsy gets all the sugar." Hadlee brushed a kiss across his cheek. Hadlee laughed as she walked across the street to the courthouse. Kevan was explaining to Brad that if he didn't stop macking on Hadlee he was going let Bickell kill him next time.

Hadlee arrived back into the courtroom a few minutes before the judge arrived. Her phone flashed that she had a message. The message was Brad making kiss faces. Hadlee ignored it and listened to the judge. The phone flashed again. Hadlee looked at the second message from Brad. The pic was taken in the park up the block from the courthouse. It was Kevan shirtless doing pull ups. Holy hell thought Hadlee staring at Kevan. His muscles had muscles. Kevan Miller was fucking hot. Hadlee's brain had derailed. Hadlee turned her attention back to judge. Her phone flashed again.

Kevan: Does that count?
Hadlee: Umm....
Kevan: ummm...what?
Hadlee: Totally counts...I think you got cheated
Kevan: Brad said you can make it up to both of us.
Hadlee: No hot pics for anyone but you
Kevan: dinner my place? 7pm
Hadlee: text me the address
Kevan: I will. See ya babe
Hadlee: just got a not guilty verdict Mr. Miller
Kevan: Never thought otherwise.

Notes

Hadlee is on a mission to see those abs. I promise it will get hotter.