I briefly tell Collin and his parent’s goodnight before getting in my mom’s car. Collin has already told me he’ll be by tomorrow.
~*~*~
Waking up the next morning, I smell bacon. It’s intoxicating when you’re starving.
As I’m about to get up, there’s a knock at my door. Collin comes in. “Your mom made breakfast. We have to leave the door open, but I can come in and visit. She doesn’t want you out of bed except to pee.” He laughs.
“I’m starving. I guess all of that emptying of my stomach contents made me hungry.” I dig into my plate and he laughs, looking around my room.
“Geez, do you ever throw any of your papers away? Look at you sleeping with the damn laptop open.”
OH SHIT! He reaches to grab my computer before I can stop him. Once he bumps it, the page opens. My sales page on Kindle. Fuck.
“Jo?” He looks at me.
“Surprise. The new P.J. Scott book is out,” I say timidly.
“I know that, I’ve already downloaded it,” he deadpans. “Are you?” He cocks his head. “Are you P.J. Scott?”
I swallow. “Yes.”
He slaps my computer shut. “Don’t you think…” He paces for a second. “Maybe you should’ve told me?”
I shake my head. “Only two people on this planet know who P.J. Scott is and now you. My brother, who I’ve just recently told, and Clem. That’s the purpose of a pen name. I don’t want people to know, especially those in this town.”
“So in this new book, the star quarterback isn’t about me? I thought you were the person I could always count on to be real with me. I guess not,” he says, looking down. “I’ll see you later.”
As he walks out the door, I wipe my eyes. So far this year, I’ve tutored the quarterback, kissed him, pissed several people off, went out with a guy from another school, fell in love and did it for the first time. I’ve also finished a third novel, got the crap knocked out of me by my dad, been called a traitor to my family by him, was slipped drugs and am now probably about to face heartbreak. Great, I just decided to check off all the teen saga boxes in a few months.
Mom comes in a little while later. “Is Collin gone? I thought I’d have to pry him out of here.”
“He got upset about something so he left,” I say quietly.
“What did he get upset about?”
I sigh. “Mom, can I trust you with a secret?”
She nods. “Yes, honey. Unless it’s against the law.”
“Okay, here goes.” I explain to her my big secret. She doesn’t act shocked though.
“I’ve known for a while,” she replies.
“What do you mean?”
“Jo, your checking account is tied to ours. I can still look at it. Most of the time I never check it, but one day I went to put money in James’s for something and clicked on the wrong one. I saw the deposits from various book companies. In the memo it said something about P.J. Scott, so I put it all together when I googled P.J. Scott. I figured you’d tell me when you were ready,” she says as she folds some of my clothes that are randomly lying around.
“So are you mad?” I ask.
Her face softens and she hugs me. “No, honey, I couldn’t be more proud of you. I just wished you’d been able to trust us all more, earlier. But that’s our fault, not yours. I never said anything to your dad, or anyone else for that matter. This is your secret and when or if you ever decide to let anyone know, that’s on you. Now get some rest. You’ve got hell week.” She chuckles, walking out the door.
Did I ruin everything with us right after it got a chance to start?
CHAPTER 31
Collin-
How could she do this to me? She lied. The one person who I always thought would be upfront with me lied. Lying in bed, I keep thinking about her face today. I feel guilty, but I’m also hurt. She didn’t tell me.
Finally deciding I can’t sleep, I make my way down to the kitchen for some milk and maybe some cake. My mom has been on a baking frenzy since she found out about being pregnant.
I find my dad doing the same thing. Milk and cake are already out. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hey, Col. What are you doing up?” he asks as I grab a glass.
“Can’t sleep. I’ve got stuff on my mind,” I answer as I pour myself a glass of milk.
“I know what happened with Joelle is bothering you but trust me, that boy won’t get away with it. He did this because of you. You know that, right? This is because of what the coach caught him doing on the field.”
I nod. “Well, that and he had the hots for Jo. She just didn’t realize it. Jo’s not into the attention, so when he invited her to a party a few weeks ago, she thought he was just being an ass.”
He laughs. “Your mom was the same way. I’m not happy that you were at a party with drinking. I understand that you can’t control what other people do and I also understand that you were trying to repair things with your team, but-.”
“I know, I’m grounded.”
“Yes. You’re grounded for one week. School and practice only besides your game on Friday. No Frosty King. Nothing like that. I know Joelle’s contest is on Saturday, but I’m not sure about that yet.”
I nod. “Yes, sir. Thanks for all you did last night.”
“It was nothing. We could very well be bringing a girl into the midst soon and I was thinking how I would want her defended.”
A memory flashes of Jo against that wall looking helpless. I begin to realize that I’m an ass. If people like Ciara and Booker found her out, she’d be scrutinized. Not to mention her privacy would be out the window. I took this way too personal.
“Dad?”
He turns back to me as he puts his plate in the sink. “Yeah?”
“Did mom ever keep something private from you? About herself?”
“At your age? Yeah, I’m sure she did. The age you are right now, everyone is dealing with their own insecurities. Where you worry about football and being the best at everything, Jo has different ones.” He pats me on the shoulder. “Make sure you put the milk up or else we’ll all be in trouble in the morning.”
Fuck, he’s right. Now I’m grounded. I should beg to go apologize to her in the morning, because I have a feeling this week is going to be rough at school.
~*~*~
“Atwood, Prescott, Prescott, in my office!” Coach Fagan yells.
I nod to Jo, letting her go first. I haven’t even gotten to apologize yet and its killing me. The morning was crazy.
Walking through the halls, I heard the whispers. “I heard he broke up with her because she screwed Booker and now she’s trying to say Booker raped her.” “I heard she tried to act like Booker drugged her. Poor Ciara got attacked in the process. She’s not even at school today.” “They should kick her out.” “Yeah, I mean she’s weird anyway.” “I heard she and Booker have been seeing each other the whole time and that they have some group thing with Ciara.” “I heard Collin was only dating her because of her brother anyway.”
Coach slamming his fists down and making us all jump brings me back from the hall this morning.
“Damn it! I’m sorry you three are caught up in all of this. He’s off this team. I don’t care what a court says, he’s off. Not only has he been doing a piss poor job of keeping Atwood from getting sacked, he tops it off by drugging an innocent girl. Do not get me wrong, I’m upset with all of you for being at a party where there was a keg, but I’m not stupid and I know it happens. This is the south and a small town doesn’t offer much else to do.” He turns his attention to Jo. “Joelle, I’m so sorry this happened to you. I can’t help but feel some guilt. If I hadn’t brought you into this-.”
She stops him. “Coach, it is in no way your fault. If I had never taken that beer, even only taking the few sips, I wouldn’t have opened myself up to that vulnerability. I would never blame you.”
“Yeah, Coach, you didn’t even know who I was going to ask to be his tutor, so there is no way you brought this o
n,” James rumbles.
Coach sits back. “Okay. Well, Joelle, I just wanted to express my apologies. You can head back to class. I know your superbowl is this Saturday so good luck.”
After she leaves, Coach looks around the room before speaking. “I just have a couple of more questions. Number one - please tell me one of you beat the hell out of him?”
James smiles. “Yeah, Jinks and I did. Collin was taking Jo to the hospital.”
“Number two - did the chief’s daughter really beat Ciara’s ass that bad?”
I put up my hands because I never saw Ciara. “I just know she drug Ciara out by her hair.”
James laughs. “Yeah, she did. Clem did a number on her.”
The Coach gives us a full on belly laugh. “Well, as rough as she is, maybe we should ask her to be on the team.”
I snort. “Sorry, Coach, I don’t think the band or the softball team would let her go. Plus, I don’t think a girl on this team would be such a great idea.”
Coach shakes his head. “Anyway, about your punishment.”
That catches our attention. “Ha. You two didn’t think you were getting off with a slap on the back, did you? Well, I know you were not the only players there, I’m guessing it was more like most of the team, so the team that parties together, pays together. Practices all week will be an extra hour, but we’ll be doing it on the old field. The band has their contest thing this weekend, so we are not disrupting them.”
We both sigh, falling back in our chairs. “Yes, sir,” we both mumble.
“I am proud of both of you, though. You could have tried to sweep it under the rug, but you did the responsible thing.” As we start to walk out, he stops me. “I’m also proud of you for standing up for someone outside of the football team. I know it was you behind the money for the band thing. You’re right, fair is fair, I didn’t agree when the club took the concessions. It was parents that did it. I was told I wasn’t here to worry about money, I was here to get ‘Ws’ in the column. So I’m proud of you. But I’m still going to make you puke the entire week,” he says with a grin before I walk out.
“Coach, I have an idea,” I say quickly.
“All right, spill.”
CHAPTER 32
Joelle-
“You know she was probably asking for it.” “I heard Collin broke up with her.” “I heard Collin rescued her! It’s really romantic!” “Yeah, Collin is so hawt!”
Yep, that’s the kind of lovely stuff I hear walking down the hallway today. I’ve been shoulder checked more times than I can count, I feel the stares and the whispers. I just really hope Collin doesn’t tell anyone my secret, it would only get worse.
I mean Coach Fagan was nice enough this morning, but it’s like these people don’t have a clue. Which most of the people I’ve heard talking want to be in Ciara’s little circle. She’s not here today so that’s a plus. Seeing Collin this morning hurt. My heart feels like it’s been cut open and is bleeding out into my chest. Jinks came and found me this morning to hug me. I guess he helped beat the crap out of Booker with James. When he overheard one of the girls talking, he spun his big six-foot-one frame around and told them the “shut up,” and luckily they obliged. Then he looked at me. “Why do girls have to be bitches to each other?” To which I actually laughed. The only time today I’ve done that.
James catches me in the hall. “Everything going okay?”
I shrug, “Yeah. I guess.”
He sighs. “Look, people are going to run their mouths because this town is boring as shit. It’ll blow over. I came to tell you that you’ll need to catch a ride with Clem this afternoon. We have an extra hour of practice all week, so Collin and I both will be tied up.”
Now I really feel like crap. “Shit.”
“Hey, it’s not your fault.”
“How can we practice on the same field?” I sigh. “Coach isn’t kicking us off the field, is he?”
“No, we are practicing all week at the old field. It’s part of the punishment I think,” James replies.
I nod. “Okay, I’m sure that’ll be fine with Clem,” I say as I reach my locker.
He nods, walking away.
“Joelle,” I hear softly next to me.
It’s Vivian. “I was sorry to hear about the other night.”
She fidgets as she talks, studying the ground beneath her. “Viv, are you okay?”
She looks up with tears in her eyes. “Yeah.” She lets out a deep breath. “It’s just. Let’s just say I can somewhat relate.”
I grab her hand and drag her to the nearest stairwell. I know I should be heading to American History, but I don’t care at this moment. “Vivian, what are you trying to tell me?”
“Booker. You just learn he’s not the kind of person you accept a drink from.” She bites her bottom lip and shakes her head.
My heart catches in my throat. “Did he? Did he rape you?”
She looks away. “I took the drink, and I never told him no, either. So I wouldn’t use that word.”
I see red. “That shit doesn’t matter!” The son of a bitch. I thought it was about Collin, but he’s just an asshole. I grab my cell phone from my bag.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m calling Clem’s dad.”
She grabs my arm. “No!” Tears are starting to roll down her face.
“Vivian, stop. He could do this to other people. He probably has. If we take a stand against him, then maybe others will, too,” I plead.
“But Ciara.”
“Ciara is in enough shit of her own. Technically the other night, she was an accomplice. This isn’t going to go well for her, either,” I explain. “Do you want this to happen to more people? Do you want the people that it has happened to to hide and not see any justice?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
A few minutes later, Chief Reed tells me to wait in the office. He’ll be there ASAP.
Sitting in front of the chief is intimidating and embarrassing. He’s my best friend’s father. “Vivian, do you know any other girls I should talk with?” he says quietly.
She wipes tears and nods her head. “Yeah, a few.”
He pushes a piece of paper to her and a pen. “Just write the names down. We’ll do this as quietly as possible. I know you both have been through a lot.”
Vivian hugs me as we walk out of the office. The principal told her to go to guidance, he’s calling her mom in so everything can be explained.
The rest of the day muddles along. I feel like I’m in an isolation chamber. The only bright spot I see coming in my day is band class and practice. I can take my frustrations out on my drums for a few hours.
Mr. Clark asks me to come to his office as soon as I walk in the doors. “Joelle, how are you doing?”
I shouldn’t be shocked he knows. This is the town where nothing interesting ever happens. “I’m doing okay. It’s been a weird day. I’m ready to beat the crap out of something so I figure my drums will be the best thing.”
He laughs and touches my shoulder. “You’re going to get through this. Sometimes life just gives us a tub of sh- crap. It’s what you do when you get through it that’s important.”
I nod and he gives me a hug. “All right, let’s go beat the crap out of something,” he says with a laugh.
~*~*~
This week has been absolute Hell on Earth. Between all of my extra practices and the football team having extra practice, Collin and I haven’t talked to each other. He’s texted me and called me. He’s apologized over and over again for freaking out and promised to keep my secret, but I’m still a little hurt. He acts like I lied to him. I didn’t lie. Hopefully next week we’ll be able to slow down and talk.
I haven’t heard how many girls came forward to the chief, I just know that it was more than Viv and me. Booker nor Ciara have been to school this week, which is a plus, but people are still talking. Now I’m on a bus to contest. I’m so freaking tired and mentally exhausted. My friends in band have
kept my mind off of things the best they can without asking questions or talking about me.
Once we arrive at the stadium, we go straight to warm-ups. Breathing deep, we are always the little fish at this big ole’ pond. Most of the other bands always out number us.
Mr. Clark steps in front of us. “Okay, guys, it’s almost time. You’ve done great this year. I’m very proud of all of you. One good thing about today - we may be one of the smallest bands here, but we’ll have the largest cheering section. Coach Fagan called me earlier today to let me know that the entire football team and several of their parents would be here to support us, since we always support them.” You can hear everyone whispering. “It’s nice to be able to let you guys know, too, that next year we won’t have to sell damn - darn donuts or anything else. If some of your parents will volunteer to help out in the concession stand for our home football games, we’ll be getting part of the monies earned there. Now, let’s go out there and be the little band that blows everyone away.”
We line up and as we round the corner for the field, I can already see our fans. They look like they’re at a true blue sporting event with signs, air horns and cowbells. They’ll be lucky if they aren’t kicked out. It’s an amazing sight, that’s for sure. I see a big sign that says, “My drummer is HOT! Go Jo!” It’s cute he tried. It has little things like flames colored on it. Yeah, he’s forgiven. I just shake my head and get ready to take the field. They came here for a show, I hope we give them one.
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.
CHAPTER 33
Collin-
“Tonight is going to finish it all up for one of these teams. Greenville has had a pretty good year, but Everly has had an awesome year led by number fifteen, Captain James Prescott, and number five, Quarterback Collin Atwood.” I can hear the press announcer from our locker room.
Coach Fagan steps up, “Guys, you’ve played great this year. You hear that crowd out there? They’re here to cheer you on. We’ve had some stumbles and setbacks this year but that’s over now. Let’s get out there.”
Crimson Catch (Game Time #1) Page 15