by Kai Juniper
Picking up my phone, I call Shayla. I haven't talked to her since she took me to the beach to meet up with Jackson.
"Hey, Rumor," she says in a cheerful tone. "Are we still dating?"
I laugh. "Only if Principal Edwards asks. Or anyone at Twisted Pine."
"He told everyone?"
"He told Kristen and she told everyone."
"Why? She knows it's not true."
"Yeah, but she hates me. It doesn't matter. I don't think anyone believed her. Braden's friends are still flirting with me."
"It better not get back to anyone at Legion. I have a hard enough time getting dates."
"I thought you just had a date."
"I did, but it didn't go anywhere."
"Speaking of dates, is there any way you'd consider taking me to meet Jackson tomorrow? I could pay you."
"Rumor, we're friends. I don't want you paying me."
"Yeah, sorry. If you can't do it, I understand. I just really want to see him."
"I'm going to a party after the game. It's a football party so Jackson will be there. I could pick you up on my way and you could meet him there."
"I don't know. Someone might see us."
"Only Legion people. They don't know you. They won't know you're from Twisted Pine. And you wouldn't have to stay. You could meet up with Jackson and leave."
"Maybe. I'll check with Jackson and let you know."
"Rumor, I'd love to talk more but I really need to study. I have a test tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later."
As I'm setting the phone down, Jackson calls.
"Hey," I answer. "Are you home yet?"
"Yeah, and guess who's here?"
"Kristen."
"She let herself in. I told her she couldn't come here anymore and made her give me the key."
"Do you think she made a copy?"
"Probably. She keeps insisting Steven is dangerous. She was crying, saying she's afraid to go to sleep at night."
I roll my eyes. "You didn't believe her, did you?"
"I don't know what to believe. I don't trust either one of them. Anyway, did you talk to Shayla about tomorrow?"
"Yeah. She's going to the Legion party. She could take me with her and I could meet you there."
"I don't know if that's a good idea."
"I thought the same thing. But if she dropped me off by your car and I just waited there for you, nobody will see us."
"Yeah, that'd probably work. But I can't drop you off at your house later."
"Drop me at the corner and I'll walk home."
"I'm really sick of sneaking around like this."
"Me too but I need to see you. I don't want to wait."
"Me either. You going to the game tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Trystan's taking me. Then after the game I'll have to find a place to meet up with Shayla."
"Any news on the players?"
"They're all playing tomorrow. Two are still injured but not enough that they can't play."
"What about Braden's knee?"
"He says it feels fine. He's not limping anymore. He thinks tomorrow will be another blowout."
"They're playing a tough team. One of the best in the area. I doubt it'll be a blowout."
"Changing topics, I saw Brock when I got home from school. I almost told him I knew his secret but then changed my mind."
"You shouldn't tell him. Not yet."
"I know. I just really want to find out why he did it. And how he got my mom to go along with it."
"He may never tell you that stuff. And if he did, you wouldn't know if he's telling the truth."
"True."
"Speaking of dads, mine is planning to be in town next week."
"In La Jolla?"
"Either here or in LA. It's not definite yet. Depends on how his shoot goes this week." He pauses. "Shit."
"What?"
"My lawyer just texted. He says the cops want me to go in and talk to them next week."
"About what?"
"Probably the same shit they asked me before. I need to call this guy back. The call could go on awhile. You want to just talk tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll text you when I get to the party."
We end the call and I text Shayla, telling her the plan for tomorrow. After the game, I'll walk down the road to the gas station. We'll meet there and she'll take me to the party. I'm already looking forward to it. I get to see Jackson again!
The next day at school seems to drag on like it's never going to end. When it finally does, I go home, change clothes, and ride back to school with Trystan. I skipped dinner. I wasn't hungry. I'm too nervous something will happen that'll ruin my plans with Jackson later.
When I get to the game, Peyton finds me and makes me sit next to her again because Alyssa is on the field with the other cheerleaders and Peyton didn't want to sit alone. She isn't cheering tonight because she has a migraine, although if that were true, I don't know how she could be surrounded by screaming fans.
"Go out with us after the game," Peyton says, chomping on her gum.
"I'm tired. I'm going home after the game."
"You're so boring," she says, kicking her feet up on the bleacher in front of us. "You never want to go out."
"I do. Just not tonight." I know she'll keep pushing the issue if I don't distract her with something else so I change topics. "How's the old guy with the sailboat? You still seeing him?"
"Yes." She smiles and pulls her necklace out from under her sweater. "He gave me this. Isn't is gorgeous?"
It's a silver chain with a big diamond on it.
"Is that real?" I ask.
"Of course it's real. He's loaded." She jumps up, her eyes on the field. "Shit, they just scored again."
It's the third quarter and the other team is ahead. Braden keeps kicking the grass and muttering to himself. Then when the team is in a huddle, he throws his hands in the air, probably yelling at them for screwing up.
"I heard this is a tough team," I say.
Peyton sits back down. "How would you know? You just moved here."
"I heard the players talking about it."
She turns to me, smiling. "Why do you sit at their table? If you like girls, why are you sitting at the football table?"
"I don't like girls. I mean, I like them as friends but not to date."
"I heard you had a girlfriend."
"Someone just made that up and it spread."
She sits back, looking out at the field. "Then why you aren't dating one of the players? You could have your pick. They all want you."
"No they don't. Half of them have girlfriends."
"Doesn't mean they don't want you. So why are you holding out?"
I shrug. "I'm just not ready to date. I was with Axl for years. I'm not ready to get my heart broken again."
"So use them for sex. You don't have to fall in love." She jumps up. "Yes! We finally scored! It's tied up now."
The game continues and Twisted Pine wins in the last few seconds, thanks to a perfect throw by Braden that's caught in the end zone. He's going to be gloating about that for weeks, probably months. And his dad wasn't even here to see it. As much as I can't stand Braden, I feel bad for him, knowing his dad won't go to his games. Brock didn't have to stay home to prepare for his audition. That was just an excuse. He's probably in his sex room right now with Ana or some other woman.
After the game, I meet up with Shayla and she takes me to a house on the other side of town. It's a small, older house with an open field in the back, which is where the party's going on.
"Do you know where he parked?" she asks, looking at all the cars lined up along the street and on the lawn outside the house.
"No, but I'll find it. You can go ahead to the party."
"You sure? Because I can wait."
"Go ahead. I already texted him. He's probably already out here."
She hugs me. "Be careful. I'm still not sure about that guy."
"I'll be fine." I pull away
. "Go ahead to the party, then call me tomorrow and tell me all about it."
"I will. See ya." She walks off, yanking down her mini skirt, which rides up every time she moves.
"Hey," a deep voice says. I feel his breath by my ear and his hands around my waist.
I look back and my heart takes off, filled with joy just seeing him there. I turn and kiss him. "You're right on time."
"Let's get out of here. My car's over there." He points to it.
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't care. I just want to be with you." He kisses me, his arms pulling me closer.
"Rumor?"
I hear my name and immediately know who said it.
It's Kade. What is he doing at a Legion party?
"Go!" I whisper to Jackson. "Hurry up!"
"Novak," I hear Miles say.
Jackson lets go of me and turns to face Miles. "What the fuck you doing here?" He glances at Kade, who's just behind Miles. "Didn't you learn anything last time you fuckers showed up at a Legion party?"
"You think I'm afraid of you?" Miles says, stepping up to Jackson.
"You should be, you little fucker." Jackson stands up straighter, sticking his chest out. "I bench more than you weigh. You're messing with the wrong fucking guy."
Miles looks at Jackson, noticing how huge he is, and glances away, like he's reassessing his decision to fight him.
"Change your mind?" Jackson asks with a laugh.
Miles folds his arms over his chest. "What are you doing with Halliway?"
Jackson's in front of me, blocking me from them.
"What do you think?" Jackson says.
"Halliway!" Kade yells, coming up beside Miles. "Stop fucking hiding and tell us what's going on."
"She doesn't have to do anything," Jackson says. "And if you order her around again, your face will be planted on the fucking ground." He steps up to Miles and Kade. "Get the fuck out of here."
They're both shorter than him, and smaller. They look big at school but next to Jackson they look tiny.
"Braden's going to kick your ass," Kade says.
Jackson just laughs.
"Let's go," Miles mutters to Kade.
They walk off, Jackson and I watching to make sure they get back in their car. They take off, speeding down the road.
"They're going to tell Braden," I say. "And everyone else. What are we going to do?"
"Nothing," Jackson says, putting his arm around me. "We knew this would happen. We just didn't know when."
I turn to him. "Why aren't you freaking out about this?"
"Because I don't give a shit if Braden knows. He doesn't get to decide who you date. Neither does Brock."
"Yeah, but they'll do everything possible to keep us apart."
"They won't." He leans down and kisses me. "It'll all work out. I promise."
"How can you be so calm about this? When Brock finds out, he's going to ban me from seeing you."
Jackson takes my hand. "Let's get out of here. You want to go get something to eat?"
"Jackson, I can't." I yank my hand back. "I can't go out and pretend nothing happened. I'm freaking out here!"
"So what do you want to do?"
"I don't know." I take a breath, trying to calm myself.
He turns me toward him. "Nothing's going to happen until tomorrow. Braden will be out all night. He won't even tell his dad until morning."
"I guess you're right. So what do you want to do?"
"We'll drive down to San Diego. We're not going to run into anyone there. We'll get dinner and then maybe see a movie."
"Like an actual date?" I smile.
"We're going to have more of those now that we don't have to hide." He takes my hand and starts walking to the car.
"I don't know about that. When Braden finds out—"
"Stop worrying about Braden. He's not going to do anything."
"But Brock will. And what about our plan? Braden's not going to let me sit at his table anymore. How am I supposed to spy on the team? He'll tell all his football friends not to talk to me."
"I'm not worried about that." Jackson smirks. "They almost lost tonight's game, and three of their best players have already had injuries. With their season starting this bad, they're not going to make it to State."
"What about Twisted Pine?" I say, stopping as we reach the car. "When people find out we're together, they're going to make my life hell."
"They didn't do anything to Kristen. Everyone knows she left Braden for me."
"That's different. She's the principal's daughter. She can do whatever she wants."
He opens my door. "Let's go. Standing around worrying about what might happen isn't doing us any good."
We leave the party and drive down to San Diego for dinner. Afterwards, Jackson drives me around and shows me the city.
"What do you think?" he asks, pulling off the road to park.
"It's good," I say, gazing out the window.
"What's good?" he says with a laugh.
"Whatever you were asking about."
"Rumor." I feel his hand wrap around mine. "Do you want to just go home?"
I turn to him. "I'm sorry. I know you're trying to make this night special but I can't stop thinking about what might happen. I don't want to lose you, Jackson."
"You won't." He leans over and gives me a kiss. "You really want me to take you home?"
"I don't, but I just want to get this over with."
We drive back to La Jolla. It's after eleven when we get back to the house. When he goes to pull in Brock's driveway, I almost stop him, thinking we're still hiding our relationship. But that secret is out. Now I have to deal with whatever's going to happen next.
"Call if you need me," Jackson says. "Or just come down to the house."
I reach over and hug him. "Bye. Thanks for a great night."
As I pull away he keeps hold of me, his eyes going to mine. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
But will he? What if Brock locks me in my room? Or sends me away? I don't know where he'd send me but if he's angry enough, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to get rid of me.
When I get in the house I stop and listen to see if anyone's home. I don't hear anything. I'm sure Braden and Trystan are out at parties. Brock is probably in his room, either asleep or with some woman.
The house is dark except for the dim light from the lamp in the entryway. As I'm walking through the living room, I hear a voice.
"You're so dead."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
I whip around, searching the dark room. "Braden?"
"I knew you were a fucking liar." He shoves me and I stumble back, my head hitting the bookcase behind me.
I reach for the marble bookend, the one Brock threw at Maria when he accused her of stealing. I find it and grab it, nearly dropping it because it's heavier than I thought. Holding it with both hands, I slowly walk backwards, away from Braden.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asks, stepping toward me.
"Braden, if you touch me again I swear I'll—"
"You'll what? Go tell on me to your little boyfriend?" He lets out a harsh laugh. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised. Novak taking another one of my leftovers? First Andrea. Then Kristen. Now you."
"I'm NOT your leftover." I lift the bookend up, ready to hit Braden with it if he tries to attack me. "Even if I wasn't your cousin, I'd never date you."
"We're not related. How many fucking times do I have to tell you that?"
"We ARE related. We're—" I stop before saying it. "It doesn't matter. Just get away from me." I take another step back. "I mean it, Braden."
A light turns on.
"What's going on in here?" Brock appears in his robe.
"Braden's trying to attack me," I say.
"You're the one holding the fucking weapon," Braden says, pointing to the marble bookend in my hands.
Brock comes over and takes the bookend
from me, setting it on the shelf. "Would one of you tell me what's going on?"
Braden glares at me, his arms crossed. "She's a fucking traitor."
"What is he talking about?" Brock asks me.
"He doesn't approve of who I'm dating," I say, glaring back at Braden. "Even though it's none of his damn business."
"Who are you dating?" Brock asks.
"Novak,” Braden answers. "She's been fucking Novak this whole time and lying to us."
Brock turns to me. "Is that true?"
"I met him when I was out walking one day. We got to be friends and then...it became more."
"She's been fucking spying on us," Braden says to his dad. "That's why she wanted to sit at my table. To get shit on the team she could go tell Novak."
"What would I tell him?" I toss my hands up. "I don't know anything about football. When you guys are talking about it, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Doesn't mean you didn't tell Novak what you heard, you little bitch." He reaches for me but Brock stands in his way.
"Braden! Keep your hands off her!"
"She's working for fucking Novak!" he yells.
"I'm not working for him. I'm dating him. I don't care about your stupid football games. I hate sports." I put my hands on my hips. "What about Kristen? She was with Jackson. They're still friends. And you don't seem to have a problem with her sitting at your table, listening to all your secrets. You even let her come to the house last night."
"How'd you know about that?"
"You really think she wants you back? She's using you, Braden, just like she uses everyone else. If anyone's a traitor, it's Kristen, not me."
"Okay, both of you, quiet down," Brock says.
"Dad, she's—"
"Quiet!" Brock yells at Braden. "We'll talk about this tomorrow. I need to sleep so I'll be rested for my read-through. I am NOT going to lose this role because my son couldn't keep quiet so I could get the sleep I need to perform at my best."
"You're worried about some fucking role?" Braden points to me. "Football is my fucking life and she's trying to destroy it!"
"I wasn't trying to destroy it."
"You're done with Novak," Braden yells at me. "You even talk to him I'll—"
"You'll do nothing!" Brock grabs Braden's arm and yanks on it, his eyes darkening. "You stay the fuck away from Novak. You hear me? You don't touch him. You don't talk to him. You don't threaten him. You stay away from him."