Free His Every Defense by Kelly Favor Page A

seemed drugged and in some kind of stupor. “I actually felt pity for the woman,” Nicole confided.
    “I have a feeling she’ll return to normal—or as normal as Erica can get,” Kallie said. “And when she does, you’ll probably long for the days when she was in a drugged stupor.”
    Nicole laughed. “You’re probably right about that.”
    “I’m just glad things have gotten back on an even keel for you and Red.”
    “What about you, Kallie? How are things with you?”
    For some unexplained reason, Kallie broke down and told Nicole about the screenplay. Practically whispering, she told her everything—how she’d fallen in love with Bryon’s script, how Hunter hadn’t been interested and so she’d taken it upon herself to call the writer. It was embarrassing, horrifying, to say it aloud. When she was done, she felt like she’d just gone to confession. “Well, I guess you got more than you bargained for when you asked how I was doing,” Kallie said.
    “I think it’s awesome that you’re doing this,” Nicole said. “Really, I do.”
    “The problem is, I don’t actually know anyone in the move industry, except for Hunter. And he already told me that he has no interest in the screenplay.”
    Nicole was quiet for a moment. “Let me talk to Red about this. He’s friends with a lot of actors and directors—I’m sure he knows a producer or two as well. Let me ask him what he thinks and then I’ll be in touch.”
    “Nicole, you don’t have to do that—“
    “We need to come by the house to bring you your new phone. We’ll talk more then. Okay?”
    “Okay,” Kallie said, and once again her eyes were brimming with tears, as she was so touched by everything Nicole had done and continued to do for her.
    When she went into Hunter’s office to return his phone to him, she found him with his head in his hands. “Are you okay?” she asked.
    He spun in his chair and looked up at her. “What? Yeah, I’m fine,” he said dismissively. But she could tell he wasn’t really fine. The bags under his eyes were darker than ever—he looked so drawn and tired, as if he really hadn’t slept at all.
    “Maybe you need to take a break from writing,” she said.
    “No. That’s the last thing I need. Do you know how long it’s taken me to get to this point? I’m almost done the first draft—“ he waved himself off, as if not wanting to continue to reveal his thoughts to her.
    “Talk to me, Hunter.”
    “Listen, I’m fine,” he said, taking the cell phone from her.
    “Nicole and Red are going to stop by later and bring me a new cell,” she told him.
    “Good,” he replied, turning around to the computer once more. “I might be working when they come. Is that okay?”
    “Whatever,” she said, shaking her head and leaving the room.
    She was getting sick and tired of trying to figure Hunter out—especially when he seemed so determined to continually rebuild the walls that they’d broken down together.
    It was as if he truly didn’t want to be understood—as if maybe he really was happier being miserable and alone.
    Kallie went back to the TV room and made notes on the script. She wanted to know it backwards and forwards. On top of that, she started to write out a clearer pitch—
    something she could memorize and repeat to anyone who might ask her what the movie was about.
    She got so involved in her work that she lost track of time, and before she knew it, the doorbell was ringing. Kallie got slowly to her feet, picked up her crutches, and hobbled out of the TV room and down the hall to the front door. As she passed the office, she heard Hunter still typing away as if he hadn’t even noticed visitors had arrived.
    When Kallie opened the door, she was happy to see Nicole and Red with baby Riley, and they hugged and said their greetings as she led them to the living room.
    “We can’t stay too long,” Nicole said, sitting down with the baby, as Red stood, hands in pockets and smiled down at