by Kai Juniper
"You're being a child! I'm a married man. How would it look to your mother if I rejected her? She's already suspicious of everything I do. And besides, she's leaving tonight. I won't see her again until the open house. Now go inside, get your things, and go home."
"Ms. Halliway?"
I whip around, banging my elbow on the door as I go to close it.
"Ms. Adams," I say, rubbing my elbow. "I was just looking for you."
"By the dumpster?" she says, her brows raised.
"Yeah. I've seen you go out there sometimes."
"I'm trying to quit," she whispers with a smile as she walks past me into her office. "Did we have an appointment today? I thought it was Friday."
"It is." I go into her office. "But I need to cancel. I have a new counselor. Brock sent a note to Principal Edwards letting him know."
"I see," she says, lips pursed. "It's nice to know Brock has taken an interest in parenting for once." She covers her mouth. "Goodness, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"It's fine," I say with a laugh. "He sucks as a parent. I think he even admitted that. Or maybe not. He might think it but he tells everyone he's a great dad."
She smiles. "Sounds like you've figured him out."
"Not completely but I'm getting there. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I won't be meeting with you anymore."
"And Principal Edwards was okay with this?"
"I guess so. He didn't say he wasn't."
"Well, if you ever need to talk, I'm always here." She takes out a file and flips through it.
I leave her office, and as I'm shutting her door, the door that goes to the dumpster swings open and Kristen storms through it. I rear back as she stomps down the hall, eyes straight ahead. I don't think she even noticed me.
The door opens again and Principal Edwards appears.
"Ms. Halliway," he says with a cool, collected tone that's a complete contrast to just moments ago when his voice was full of anger and frustration with Kristen. "What are you doing here at such a late hour?"
Late hour? It's only ten after four.
"I had to talk to Ms. Adams, but I'm leaving now."
I walk off but he follows beside me.
"I believe you were here late yesterday too. Is that correct?"
He's quizzing me. Trying to figure out if Kristen was lying when she said I saw them together. What do I say? Do I lie? Ms. Adams knows I was here but I don't know if Principal Edwards would think to ask her about it.
"Ms. Halliway." Principal Edwards grabs my arm, stopping me. "Were you here late yesterday or not?"
Chapter Twenty-Six
"No," I say, deciding to lie. "Why are you asking?"
He slowly releases my arm. "Never mind. Move along, Ms. Halliway. I wouldn't want you to miss your ride home." He smiles but his eyes look angry. Is he angry at me or Kristen? He knows one of us is lying but who does he believe?
When I get outside, Trystan is driving off. I run after him, waving my arms.
He slams on the brakes and barely gives me enough time to get inside before taking off again.
"I told you to wait," I say, catching my breath.
"Which you know I don't do."
"Blame your dad. He's the one who made me late. He made me cancel my appointment with Ms. Adams. I couldn't talk to her until after class."
"He used to fuck her." Trystan glances at me. "You knew that, right?"
"No, but I thought he might have."
"It was only a few times. She was too smart for him."
"Your dad doesn't like smart women?"
"He doesn't like feeling stupid." Trystan brakes hard at a stop sign, sending me lurching forward.
"Watch it!" I yell, bracing my hand against the dash.
"So where'd you go last night?" He presses on the gas and we take off.
"You were spying on me again?" I sigh. "I couldn't sleep so I walked on the beach."
"You're gonna get killed doing that."
"I stay away from the water. I just walk on the sand."
"It's still dangerous. Shit happens at night. You shouldn't be out there alone."
I turn to him. "Why are you always trying to scare me? Did your dad tell you to do that so I never leave the house?"
"I'm just looking out for you."
I huff. "Yeah, right. You'd be happy if something happened to me."
He slams on the brakes, stopping in the middle of the street. "What the fuck? Why would you say that?"
"Because you hate me."
"I don't hate you."
A car honks behind us.
"Go," I say as the car continues to honk. "Hurry up."
He takes off again. "If I hated you I wouldn't be checking the damn cameras. If someone was watching the cameras the night of the party, Andrea might still be alive."
"Wait, you're saying there were cameras that saw what happened that night?"
"Yeah, but someone busted them. People were drunk and tossing shit around by the pool and knocked out the cameras aimed at the railing."
"Then it wouldn't have mattered. She still would've died."
"The cameras weren't out the whole night. If someone had been watching, they would've seen Andrea stumbling around drunk on the patio. They could've stopped her before she got to the railing."
He pulls into the driveway and parks.
"So that's why you do it?" I ask, taking off my seatbelt. "You watch the cameras because you're worried about me?"
He shrugs. "Shit happens. Now get out of the fucking car. I'm leaving."
"Where are you going?"
"None of your fucking business."
After I get out, he speeds off. Once again, he's nice to me and then back to being mean.
When I get inside, I go to the kitchen to get something to eat and find Brock there, talking on the phone.
"Yes, Monday should work." He nods. "If he's back in town, get me a time to meet with him. I don't care what strings you need to pull. Just get it done." He ends the call, a big smile filling his perfect face.
I'm just now realizing the lines that form in his cheeks when he smiles exactly match mine. I never noticed that before. I also didn't notice how similar our eyes look. They're the exact same color.
Growing up, I never thought I looked like Devon but I didn’t think anything of it. I assumed I looked like my mom but I really don't. Her hair was much lighter than mine and she had paler skin.
"I have some good news," Brock says, coming up to me. He laughs. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to." Turning away, I open the fridge and take out the soda Ana bought for me. "So what's the big news?"
"My audition is set up for next week."
"For that movie you told me about?"
"It's not just a movie." His voice rises and his smile gets bigger. "It's a summer blockbuster! It's going to be huge!"
"That's great!" I say, going around him to the walk-in pantry.
He follows me in there. "I don't think you're getting the significance of this. I'm auditioning for one of the lead roles. If I got this, it'd change my career! Brock Halliway would be a household name!"
"People already know your name." I grab a box of cereal and bring it back to the counter. "Do we have any milk? Real milk, not that vegan stuff."
"People MY age know my name. This movie would introduce me to a whole new generation of fans."
I open the fridge. There's no milk so I just eat the cereal from the box.
Brock watches me, an annoyed look on his face. "You really should be more interested in this. Your uncle could be a huge star."
My uncle. For a moment I consider telling him I know he's my dad, but then decide to wait. I was thinking of not telling him at all, or at least waiting until I'm eighteen. Right now he's just my guardian, not my actual parent. If I told him I knew he was my dad, he might try to be even more controlling than he is now. But I can at least try to get information from him.
"Have you
heard anything from my dad?" I ask.
"No, and I doubt that I will unless he needs money." Brock goes around me to the fridge and takes out a bottle of water.
I take a seat at the counter, still munching on my cereal. "When did you meet my mom?"
"Me? Or your father?" Brocks opens his water and takes a sip.
"You. I was just wondering." I pop some cereal in my mouth.
"I met her when I went to see Devon in that play in New York. I already told you this. I assume your mother did as well."
"She didn't talk about you. She didn't say much about Devon either."
Brock chuckles. "You're calling him by his name now? I scold the boys when they do that to me. I'm their father, not Brock."
I cock my head. "Did you ever want more kids?"'
"Why so many questions today?"
"I'm just wondering. We never have a chance to talk. So did you? Want more kids?"
"I didn't want children at all but Miranda insisted on it. She loved children."
"You talk about her like she's dead."
"In some ways she is. She's no longer a mother to the boys. They don't even want to be around her." He checks the time on his phone. "I need to make some calls. I'll be in my office."
"Are you going to Braden's game tomorrow?" I ask as he leaves.
"I can't make it. I need to prepare for the audition. You're going I assume?"
"If I can get a ride. Oh, I told Ms. Adams I'm done with counseling. I told her you found me someone else."
"And what did Ms. Adams say?" he asks, his interest piqued by the mere mention of her name. Maybe he wants to date her again. Is he done with Ana or just wanting to mix things up by having a night or two with Ms. Adams?
"She said I could still talk to her if I wanted to."
"Tell her no. One therapist is plenty. Don't forget your appointment next week." He continues down the hall to his office.
A text pops up on my phone from Jackson. Are you home?
Yeah. Why? I text back.
My phone rings and I race to my room to answer. "I thought you were at practice."
"I am, but one of the guys twisted his ankle. We're waiting to see if he can play."
"I miss you," I say, sounding sappy and in love. But it's how I feel.
"I miss you too."
"Is that why you're calling?"
"Actually no. It's about Kristen."
I sigh with annoyance. "Now what?"
"She just called. She was crying, saying Steven would be home soon and she's afraid. Her mom left and Kristen doesn't want to be alone with him. She wants to come to my house and spend the night. I told her I had to think about it."
"She's lying. I saw her at school and she was fine. I told her I know what's going on with her and her stepdad and she didn't even deny it. All the stuff she told you is made up, just like I said."
"Wait—she admitted she's with Steven?"
"Not at first, but then she made a comment about the marks on her neck. She said something about pleasure and pain, like the marks were because of some sex thing she did with Principal Edwards." I shudder just thinking about it. "And then I overheard them fighting after school. She told him I know."
"Are you absolutely positive that's what you heard? Or are you just guessing?"
"They didn't say my name but who else would they be talking about?"
"Don't confront her again. Just pretend you don't know anything."
"What are you going to tell her about coming over?"
"I'll have to tell her no. But shit, if you'd heard her on the phone, she sounded scared for her life. If that was all fake, she's a damn good actress." He pauses, then yells, "Yeah, I'm coming!"
"You have to go?"
"Yeah, but about tomorrow, I want to see you after the game. You think you could talk to Shayla about dropping you off somewhere?"
"I could ask. I don't know if she'll do it. Where would we meet?"
"I'm not sure yet. Ask Shayla first and we'll go from there."
"Okay."
"I love you," he says, a smile in his voice.
"I love you too."
"Talk to you tonight."
Collapsing on my bed, I stare up at the ceiling, my heart feeling light and full, my cheeks aching from the huge smile that's been on my face since the moment I saw his name on my phone. I take a few minutes to revel in the happiness, knowing that in this house, at any moment, it could be taken away.
I hear footsteps stomping around, a door slam, and music blaring just above me. Trystan is home. Maybe he'd take me to the game tomorrow. He's been somewhat nice to me this week. It's worth asking. I get up from my bed and leave my room, hoping to catch him in a good mood.
As I'm walking through the living room, I hear the front door open.
"You can stay here for now," Braden says.
"Thanks, babe," I hear a girl say. "God, I've missed you."
Peeking around the corner, I see Kristen standing in the entryway.
Kissing Braden!
What the hell?
Braden wraps his arm around her narrow waist and pulls her against his body. "We'll finish this when I get home."
"Can't wait," she says, running her hand down his chest.
He smiles. "I knew you were just using Novak."
She smiles. "It was always you, babe."
He smacks her ass. "Go wait in my room. I'll be back after practice."
I duck behind the wall as Braden leaves, then listen as Kristen runs up the stairs.
Getting out my phone, I text Jackson. Kristen is here! She was kissing Braden!
Jackson doesn't respond. He's at practice and isn't checking his phone.
What do I do? I want to go confront Kristen but Jackson would tell me not to. He'd want me to keep an eye on her and see what she's up to.
I quietly make my way up the stairs, even though there's no way she'd ever hear me with the music blaring from Trystan's room.
As I go down the hall I see Braden's door is closed.
I text Trystan. Open your door. I have a question.
The door swings open. Trystan is standing there in boxer briefs and nothing else. "What do you want?"
"For you to put some clothes on, for one. Then I have a favor to ask."
He motions me in his room and closes the door, his head bobbing to the music.
"Do you always hang out in your underwear?" I ask, almost yelling so I can be heard above the music.
"I was changing clothes," he says, pulling on his shorts. "Meeting the guys at the gym at six. What do you want?"
"Can I get a ride to the game tomorrow?"
"I guess." He grabs a t-shirt from his closet. "But I'm not taking you home."
"Could you drop me off somewhere?"
"Maybe. Depends on where it is."
"Forget it. I'll find my own way home." I hear something in Braden's room, like something fell on the floor.
"Is that it?" Trystan says, staring at me like he wants me to leave.
I walk over to him. "Is Braden dating Kristen again?"
He laughs. "Hell, no. After she was with Novak? He wouldn't fucking get near her."
"I just saw her downstairs with him. He told her to wait in his room until he got home."
"Yeah, right." Trystan puts his t-shirt on.
"I'm not kidding.
"Kristen's not in his fucking room." He goes over to his door and opens it. "I'll take you to the game tomorrow. Now get out."
"Trystan, I'm serious." I point to Braden's room. "She's in there."
He sighs, then pushes past me into the hall and goes over to Braden's room. He bangs on the door. "Kristen, open up!"
"What are you doing?" I whisper.
He opens the door. "Hey, Kristen. You here to fuck my brother? Great! Have fun!" He turns to me, rolling his eyes.
"What'd she say?"
"Nothing. She's not there."
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I run past him into Braden's room. It's
empty. I check his walk-in closet. It's empty too.
I go back in the hallway. "Where'd she go?"
"Nowhere. She was never here." Trystan shuts Braden's door, then his own. "I'm going downstairs. I need to eat before I go to the gym."
I follow him down there, checking the living room, then the kitchen. I check the entire house but she's not there. Where did she go? Her car's not in the driveway, but I don't know if she drove here or if Braden picked her up.
When I'm back in my room, Jackson calls.
"Did you see my text?" I ask.
"Yeah. I can only talk a minute. What do you mean Kristen's there?"
"She was here. Kissing Braden. Acting like they were a couple. Braden left for practice so Kristen went up to his room to wait for him, but then she was gone."
"You saw her leave?"
"No. I told Trystan she was there but he didn't believe me so he went in Braden's room and she was gone. I know you want to believe Kristen but I'm telling you, Jackson, she's lying. I don't know what she's up to but whatever it is, you don't want to be involved. You can't let her stay with you anymore."
"Yeah, I know," he says with a sigh. "I'll tell her to stop coming over."
"You have to do more than that. You have to get your key back, or change all the locks so she can't get in."
"I'll deal with it later. I gotta get back to practice."
"Okay, bye."
A few hours later, Braden gets home. I find him in the kitchen, mixing up his protein shake.
"Hey," I say, going past him to the fridge. "How was practice?"
"Fucking awesome. Tomorrow's game will be another blowout."
I open the fridge, then close it and turn to Braden. "Hey, was some girl over here earlier? I thought I heard you talking to someone."
"She had to leave." He smirks. "She'll be back. They always are."
"Who was it?"
"None of your damn business." He gulps down the rest of his protein drink and chucks the container in the sink, then walks off and goes upstairs.
She had to leave? Does that mean she changed her mind about Braden?
Back in my room, I try to do my homework, starting with English, knowing Ms. Pruitt's going to call on me again. The first page I flip to in the book is about dangling participles. I try to read what they are but I'm too distracted to stay focused.