Betting Bad

by Cathryn Fox

  “Motherfucker,” he says under his breath.

  “You know of any chop shops around?”

  “No,” he says quickly.

  “You sure about that? I’d think working in the bay you’d have your ear to the ground on those kinds of things.”

  “Don’t know what to tell you, brother.”

  We stare at each other for a long time, and then I ask, “You good, Lucas?”

  He knows what I’m asking. Is he staying out of trouble?

  “I’m good,” he says and goes back to his cereal. With little time to get to the field, I dart upstairs and jump in the shower. Everyone has left the house by the time I dress and head back down stairs. I pick my two new keys up, one to the house and one to the car, then head outside, locking up behind me.

  I make my way to the school and look for signs of Sara as I park. She might not be stopping by to see her father, since he stopped in to see her. I park, grab my backpack from the seat, and make my way to Coach’s office.

  He’s inside when I get there, and I go deadly still when his gaze lifts and collides with mine. “Tyler,” he says, in a voice so hard I’m sure he knows what I’ve been doing with his daughter.

  “Coach.”

  He stands slowly, his joints cracking, and that’s when I realize the years have been hard on him too. He used to talk about retiring and moving away from here. My guess is he’s long overdue for that, but won’t leave the city as long as Sara is here.

  “Listen, I want to thank you for being there for Sara last night. She explained everything.”

  I’m careful not to exhale a huge breath of relief. “She’s a tough girl, Coach.”

  “Yeah, she’s had to be.”

  My throat tightens with at the shit I’d put her through. Fuck, man. I was so stupid. Lucas was my only concern when I loaded my trunk with those guns. I hadn’t thought about the future, that I’d do time—what it would do to Sara. I’ll never forgive myself for that. There is no sense in telling her I was taking the job for my brother, because when it comes right down to it, I committed a crime of my own free will. Now I’m a felon, and will always have that hanging over me.

  “She had the situation under control before I ever got there.”

  “Maybe so, but ah…I’m just glad you got there when you did.” I open my mouth to respond, but I’m not sure what to say. I’m not used to compliments. I make a move to grab my bag and get changed when he says. “I know you still care about her.”

  I straighten. “I’d never do anything to hurt her, Coach.”

  “You did hurt her, Tyler. A lot.”

  Fuck.

  “Yeah…I know. What I mean is—”

  “That you’d never let anyone else hurt her.”

  I take a deep breath and my hands curl at my sides as the ugly vision of Caleb assaulting her rips through my brain. “I’d kill for her, Coach.”

  His gaze meets mine and he looks truly worried at that thought. But it’s a statement I stand behind. I hate to think what I might have done to Caleb had he finished what he started. Coach opens his mouth, like he’s going to say something, hesitates for a second and then says, “I need a favor.”

  Unease weaves its way through me. The Coach needs something from me. I don’t even care what it is. All he has to do is ask, and I’m on it. “Anything,” I say.

  “Mariam’s sister had a stroke. She’s in Indiana and doesn’t have anyone to look after her. Mariam’s pretty upset, so I don’t want her driving by herself. I’m taking leave for a few days. I hate the idea of leaving Sara after what happened, but I stopped by her place this morning to tell her the news and check on her, and she assures me she’s fine and that I should go.”

  “If Caleb even thinks about going near her again, he’ll have to go through me.”

  “Which is why I want you to keep an eye on her while I’m gone.”

  My head comes back with a start. After everything we’ve been through is he really asking me to keep watch over Sara? Jesus Christ, I must be hearing things wrong, or imagining it. Then again, it could just be wishful thinking.

  “Do you think you could do that?” he asks as I stand there dumbfounded.

  I pull myself tighter and say, “Consider it done.”

  “One more thing.”

  “Name it.”

  “Would you mind taking over the team while I’m gone?”

  Okay, now I’m sure I’m dreaming. “You serious?”

  “Yeah, playoffs are coming up in two weeks, and we’ve got a good shot at winning. I need you to keep working with the guys, get them ready.” The corners of his mouth twitch. “This year, Lincoln High is going down.” He points to the top of his filing cabinet. “I already dusted off a spot for the trophy.” He goes serious again, and says, “I know you’re working and if you don’t have the time—”

  “I’ll make the time, and I won’t let you down, Coach.”

  “Sara doesn’t need to know about any of this.” He looks me square in the eye, and I see the pain in his gaze, a reminder that I let him down in a big way once, and that he’s hoping I won’t do it again.

  14

  Sara

  After reading the text from Gracie, asking me to stop into BSA tonight to see her—apparently Ty will be reading her book choice at the book club this evening—I tuck my phone into my purse and make my way to the back of the bank to grab a cup of coffee before beginning my shift. My mind races back to this morning, and my Dad at my door. Thankfully, I live on the first floor and Ty could get out my window without any trouble. Still, this running around and hiding isn’t good. But I’m glad Dad came by to tell me about Aunt Sandra and that they’re going to stay with her for a few days.

  I enter the break room and find Kaitlyn, and Rob Fillmore—the bank manager—standing there talking. They both go quiet when I walk in, and I can’t help but wonder if I was the topic of conversation.

  “Good morning,” I say and reach into the cupboard to pull out my mug.

  “Morning,” they both respond, then Rob turns to me. “Can I see you in my office for a moment, Sara?”

  My hand slows as I reach for the freshly brewed coffee, and my stomach squeezes. Am I in some kind of trouble? “Sure.” I briefly look at Kaitlyn, who has a worried look on her face.

  Rob runs his hand over a blue tie that protrudes over his bulging stomach, and picks up his coffee mug. “Go ahead and grab your coffee first,” he says and exits the room.

  “What the hell is going on?” I ask in a hushed voice, as I grab the carafe and fill a mug. The last time I was called in to Rob’s office, it was to talk about the big promotion, and the courses I’d need. No way do I think this has anything to do with that, though. The worried look on Kaitlyn’s face tells me that much.

  “Rob got word that you were associating with a known criminal. That you two were on the campus and police were involved.”

  “What the hell,” I say through gritted teeth. “Jesus, Kaitlyn, who would do something like that?” My mind races to Derek, but I can’t imagine he’d do that. He would have been long gone by the time the cops were involved.

  “I don’t know, Sara. What happened last night?”

  “It’s nothing like that. Tyler wasn’t involved in anything illegal. He actually…Oh, my God I can’t believe any of this.” Could my life be any more of a shitstorm?

  Tyler could go back to jail.

  I push that thought out of my mind when Kaitlyn asks, “He actually what?”

  I exhale slowly. I’d been hoping to put last night behind me, never wanted to think about it again until the court date, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen now. “Caleb wasn’t who we thought he was, Kaitlyn. He attacked me, and Tyler found us.”

  “Oh, my God, Sara.” She grabs my hand. “Are you hurt?”

  “Thankfully no. Caleb had me pinned, but I kneed him in the groin. He went down, and then Tyler showed up.” I take a deep fueling breath before continuing. “I hate to think what
could have happened. Tyler called the police and saw to it that I got home safely.”

  I let go of her hand, grab the milk from the fridge and pour a splash into my mug. “I guess I’d better go see what Rob is going to say about all this.”

  I pass a few colleagues in the hall and put on my best smile as we exchange pleasantries. When I reach Rob’s office, the door is ajar but I knock anyway.

  “Come on in,” he says and leans back in his seat. The wheels groan under his weight. He rakes a hand through his balding hair and smiles at me. He’s been a good manager, good enough to give me a job when I was going through so much turmoil.

  “How are you, Sara?” he asks.

  “I’m good. Thanks. How are you?” I say, noting how stiff our conversation seems to be going.

  “I’m good. Classes are going well?”

  “Very well.”

  He looks down for a second, and I know he’s about to get to the real point of this meeting. “I received some disturbing news this morning.”

  “Oh?” I say.

  “It has been brought to my attention that you’re associating with Tyler again.” He leans toward me. “Sara, I’m not your father, but your father and I are good friends, and I know what you went through when he was arrested.”

  “It’s not what you think,” I say quickly, then rush to tell him what happened last night.

  His eyes go wide. “Are you okay?” he asks when I finish.

  “Yes, and you see, Tyler was just at the school tutoring. If it wasn’t for him…” I let my words fall off.

  “Well, thank God he was there. Are you sure you should be at work today?”

  I smile at his thoughtfulness. “Perfectly sure,” I say.

  “Okay, if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

  I nod and stand. I’m about to leave when he says in a voice reserved for disciplining employees, “I just want you to be careful.” He slants me a look that speaks volumes. If I want the job of financial analyst, I probably shouldn’t be associated with a criminal.

  “I always am,” I say, even though it’s a lie. Well, it was the truth up until Tyler came home. Now I’m reckless and going against my own best interests. But I’m fighting a losing battle when it comes to Ty, and I have to try to see this thing through, let it burn out.

  I make my way to the front of the bank and take my place behind the counter. The rest of the morning went by in a blur. When lunchtime comes around, I grab a salad for lunch with Kaitlyn—since Dad is away with Mom for a few days. I tell her my dilemma, and the wreckage my life has become, and she tells me what she thinks, none of which is good. I know I asked for this affair with Ty, but after this morning’s warning from my boss, and hearing Kaitlyn’s take on things, I can’t help but wonder if I’m risking my entire future for a few stolen hours with the man I’m determined to get over. Maybe I should put a stop to it. Do I even have the strength for that? Then again, this affair is about my future, and being able to live a healthy and happy life, right?

  When closing time hits, I step outside and make my way home, stopping at the grocery store to grab a few things, including Ty’s favorite cereal. I hurry home, and have a strange sense that I’m being watched. I glance over my shoulders, expecting to see Caleb, but he’s not there and it’s business as usual on the streets. I guess I’m more spooked than I realized.

  After making a quick spaghetti and meatballs meal, I send Mom and Dad a text to check on Aunt Sandra. They respond that she’s stable and doing okay, and they might need to stay longer than originally planned.

  I pace my apartment, flick the TV on and off, and don’t want to think too much about how quiet and empty the place feels without Tyler’s presence. He asked if he could stay with me, and I said no, but now I’m beginning to rethink that. Then again, I’m rethinking everything and don’t know whether to walk away from Ty once and for all, or invite him to stay with me until I know longer feel spooked.

  My phone pings and I rush to it, and see that it’s from Gracie. I’d debated all day on whether to go or not, whether to shut this affair down with Tyler. But in the end, is it really fair for me to abandon Gracie?

  I grab my coat and purse and leave my apartment. I walk to the bus stop and once again feel like I’m being watched. I glance around, but nothing seems out of the ordinary. There are a few other people at the bus stop and it gives me a measure of comfort as I wait. Forty minutes later, I’m dropped off at the Blind Association building, and I hope I’m not too late to catch Ty’s reading. The wind bites at me as I hurry inside and make my way to the library. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here and I feel a little guilty about it. I used to read to the kids with Tyler, and continued it for a while after he was incarcerated, but stopped because it always brought back so many memories.

  I quietly make my way inside and can’t stop the smile pulling at me when I see him sitting cross-legged on the floor with a group of teens, reading to them. His gaze lifts as if sensing me there, and when he smiles, my heart flutters against my ribs. I shrug out of my coat, grab a chair at the back, and scan the crowd. I spot a girl with a vest on, indicating she’s an employee. The way she’s gazing at Tyler, much the same way I am, rouses something in me. Something dark and ugly. I hate the feeling so I quickly squash it, and suck in a fuelling breath. When I get Ty out of my system, he can be with any woman he wants and I shouldn’t hate the idea of it so much.

  I lean back in my chair and concentrate on the story he’s reading, and when he comes across the kissing parts, and makes a face, his tone changing, the girls in the room all laugh. Tyler rolls his eyes at me and I laugh too. Time ticks by as he reads and soon enough the girl in the vest stands, claps her hands and tells everyone time is up. Tyler closes the book and sets it aside, like it’s a lewd object he does not want to touch. That only makes me laugh harder.

  As everyone stands, I make my way to Gracie. “Hey Gracie, great choice of books,” I say. “I loved it.”

  “Sara, you came.” She turns and I pull her in for a hug. She hugs me back and puts her ear near mine. “Are you okay?” she asks.

  Her worry sends my mind racing back to earlier, and how spooked I felt. I ignore the tingle down my spine and brush her hair from her shoulders. “I’m okay, Gracie. No need to worry. Your brother saved the day.”

  “That’s not how he explained it.”

  I sneak a glance at Tyler, who has a harem of young girls surrounding him. “Oh.”

  “No, he said you kneed that guy in the nuts so hard, he’ll be tasting them for a week.”

  Unable to help it, I burst out laughing. “He said that?”

  “No, I did not say that, exactly,” Ty says, coming up beside us. He slides a hand around my waist and my entire body shivers as he rubs his thumb back and forth over the small of my back. He nudges his sister’s chin. “My sister here likes to embellish.”

  “That’s why she’s going to be a great author.”

  “If I hear her talking like that again—”

  Gracie jabs Tyler in the stomach. “Oh, Tyler. I’m sixteen, not a child.”

  He rolls his eyes. “Get your things, I’ll drive you home.”

  “Actually, I’m going to get a lift with Brandon.”

  Tyler glances around the room. “Who the hell is Brandon?”

  “A friend,” she says. “His mom is driving us.” She holds her hand up, palm out. “I don’t need another one of your lectures, either.” The grin on her face tells me she’s half serious. It’s so good to see them fall back into a close relationship, with Tyler once again taking the role of father figure. My heart warms at the way they care so much about each other. The way Gracie is pretending to hate it, but secretly likes him worrying about her.

  I like him worrying about me too.

  “Gracie, I don’t like—”

  “Ty,” I say and touch his face. “I think that’s Brandon over there with his mom.” He turns to look. “I’d say she’s in good hands.”

/>   Tyler grumbles, and I stand back as he walks Gracie over to her friend. He exchanges a few words with Brandon, and his mom. I shake my head. Tyler would do anything to protect those he cares about, even if it goes against his own best interests. He makes his way back to me.

  “When did she get so grown up?” he asks, but as soon as the words leave his mouth, his brow furrows. I have no doubt he’s thinking the same thing as I am. She grew up when he was incarcerated.

  He leans toward me and nudges me with his shoulder. “Want to get out of here?”

  I nod, and pull on my coat.

  “Thanks for coming. I know Gracie appreciated it.”

  We make our way toward the door when the girl in the vest hurries our way. “Tyler, you did great tonight,” she says. I look at the girl. She’s familiar and I try to place her.

  “Thanks. I want to be here for Gracie.”

  She smiles at him, big, genuine, full of admiration. “She’s a lucky girl to have a brother like you.”

  “Cassie, this is Sara.” Cassie turns toward me, but her smile is gone. “Cassie and I work together,” he explains. “She was a freshman at Collins when we were seniors,” he says.

  “Nice to meet you, Cassie,” I say and hold my hand out.

  “Sara is my…” his words fall off, and both Cassie and I glance at him. “…friend,” he finishes.

  “Oh, just friends,” Cassie says, a new hope in her eyes.

  “Yeah, just friends,” I say, and my stomach cramps because I want more, everything with Tyler. But that can never happen and I can’t ever forget it.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Cassie,” he says and leads me out the door. I head toward the elevator, but Tyler stills.

  “What?” I ask.

  “Mind if we take the stairs. I…uh…”

  He grabs a fistful of hair and that’s when understanding dawns. After being locked in a small cell for eight long years, he’s not a fan of enclosed spaces.

  “Yeah, sure,” I say. “I could use the exercise anyway.”

  We’re both quiet as we take the three flights of stairs down. We step outside and the night closes around us. I glance up and down, looking for his bike, and once again the fine hairs on the back of my neck tingle.