He picked up her cell phone, and handed it to her. “Please get out.”
She grabbed his hand, pulling herself closer to him. “Please…don’t do this. I don’t have anyone else.”
He took her hand, kissed her palm, then said, “I’m on your side. You have no idea how much I care about you. I just can’t watch you spiral. I can’t. I’m always here when you need me but…I just can’t. Get out, okay? See ya at the concert meeting tomorrow afternoon.”
“Don’t do this, Jimmy Dean.”
“Just tell me who this dude is.”
“What?”
“Who is this stupid jerk that is making you turn to this crap?”
Silence.
“Tell me right now. Then tell me where to find him.”
She widened her eyes. “You can’t do anything. Please.”
“Why not?”
“He’s dangerous. I…I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Don’t worry about that. Just tell me a name, and where I can find him. I’ll take care of the rest.”
“Payton, I know you care about me, and I so love you for it, but I can’t let you do this.”
He paused. “You love me?”
She closed her eyes, and whispered, “Yes.”
He wasn’t sure what to say in that moment. He had a whirlwind of feelings for her too but…love?
Did he…?
“I love you too. And that’s why I need to do this. Now give me a name and an address.”
“I…I can’t do that to you. He’ll destroy you.”
“Fine. Forget it.”
He left the room, then ran up the stairs. He gave the fake excuses to his parents. Just as they sat down for dinner, Lily came up the stairs, got her shoes on, and left.
He wanted to look out the window to see whose car she got into, but he couldn’t. If he did, he’d want to go after her and kick the guy’s butt, and he didn’t have the energy to do that crap all over again.
Not again.
* * *
They had dinner in silence, with the exception of the kids’ banter, then he went back down to his room and texted Lily.
“Name. Now.”
He stared at his phone screen for several minutes then, finally, got a response.
“Eddie. Hotel you first saw me at. He’s always there.”
“Eddie got a last name?”
“Rodrigues.”
Payton knew the guy. Well, he’d heard his name. He was the local drug dealer and targeted the kids at the school at every opportunity. He remembered seeing him outside the hotel the first time he’d seen Lily. The jerk probably made the girls go out and do nasty stuff for him too.
He was so going to get him.
* * *
He woke up and squinted at his digital clock.
12:33 a.m.
He heard a sound from the hallway, and got up to investigate. The last thing he needed was his siblings storm-trooping him in the middle of the night for a family bed-share.
Kumbaya.
The light was on in the computer room, and the door was open. He decided it was as good a time as any to find out what his father did until all hours of the night.
Every night.
Liam sat at the computer two-finger typing like a madman. He was so into whatever he was doing, he hadn’t notice Payton tiptoeing into the room. It looked like Liam was typing out some sort of report or…manuscript?
Liam jumped, whipping his head around. “Geez you scared me. I thought you were Katie giving me heck for still being up.”
“Sorry,” Payton said. “I don’t mean to be nosey or anything but…I just wanted to see what you do in here.”
“You’ll probably think this is really stupid but I’m writing a book about meeting, and jamming with John Lennon.”
Payton was speechless. He didn’t know what was more unbelievable. That his father was writing a book, or that he says he met John Lennon.
Liam laughed. “I know. It’s crazy, but it’s true. I’ve had this story in me for a long time and thought this was a great time to get it out. It may not sell, and folks may not even believe me, but it was a fabulous time.”
“I…I’m in shock,” Payton said. “For real, right? You aren’t messing with me are you? Cuz if you are, I’m telling Katie that you surf porn down here every night.”
The two men spent the next half an hour talking about writing books, what it was like to meet and hang out with his hero, and music. Payton decided that his dad was actually pretty cool, even with his big cheesy moustache.
“Well, I’d better close up shop for tonight,” Liam said, shutting down his computer. “You should head off too.”
“Yeah,” Payton said, flicking a pen back and forth on the computer desk.
“Something on your mind?”
Payton sighed.
What the heck, he thought. They seemed to be in a sharing roll. Maybe his dad had some pearls of wisdom.
“Yeah, actually. I have a problem, but I don’t know how to go about handling it. Or if I’m handling it okay now.”
Liam made a few clicks of his mouse, shut the computer down, then leaned back in his chair. “Okay. Let’s hear it.”
“’Kay, there’s this friend…and there really is a friend, okay? She’s awesome but she’s pretty messed up. She’s supposed to be on meds for bipolar, and I think she’s back into using street drugs. She was in rehab for using already and I don’t know how to help her. I told her I couldn’t hang out with her if she’s using or whatever, I don’t know. I really don’t know for sure if she’s using or what’s going on, but I’m worried. She’s really cool and so talented and I just want to shake her and say, ‘Snap out of it!’ but I know that won’t work.”
Payton trailed off. “I guess what I want to know is…do I tell someone what I think she’s doing? Do I go to her dad or something?”
Liam rocked in his chair, rubbing his stubbly chin. “Wow, that’s tough. I think what you’re doing for your friend is enough for now. I think if you find out for sure what’s going on you should definitely go to close friends or family. You being here for her…giving her a chance…knowing she can come to you for help…is fantastic, Pay. But you can’t help people who don’t see they need it or aren’t willing to accept it. You know that from experience.”
Payton flicked the pen onto the floor. “Yeah…I know.”
His father leaned over, patting his forearm. “You’re already doing everything in your power to help this person. Try not getting too close to it or you’ll get sucked into the undertow. That’s a hard place to get out of.”
Payton picked the pen off the floor, then said, “Thanks. For earlier and now. Just…thanks.”
“Anytime. Now get some sleep. I don’t want to have to send in the mini SWAT troopers to wake you up in the morning. That’s my alarm clock, and I’d have no problem sharing if need be.”
Payton saluted his father, then went back to his own room.
He decided not to tell his dad about his plan to take out that Eddie guy. But his family wasn’t as bad as he initially thought. Things were feeling better all the time.
He just hoped the same things for Lily.
Fourteen
The next morning, Payton and his dad were each given another greasy, morning breakfast sandwich. They both smiled, accepting them, then both tossed them in the back of the truck after they were out of eye-range.
They laughed.
“So? How are things with your friend?” his dad asked after a pause.
“I don’t know, but I’m going to try making things right, if I can.”
“And how are you planning on doing that?”
“I’m going to have a chat with my friend’s…friend.”
His dad stayed quiet for several kilometers. “Look, Pay, I’m not stupid. I know who you’re talking about, and what’s going on. If you are talking about facing her dealers or something, I’m not sure I can okay that.”
“It does
n’t matter what you ‘okay’ at this point. I have to try to help her somehow.”
“I ‘get’ that. I’ve been there, son. But if she doesn’t want help, you can’t help her.”
“I actually think she does, she just doesn’t know how to ask.”
“Yeah. That’s what I thought too.” After an awkward few seconds his dad said, “I tried doing the same thing for your mom. I’m not telling you what to do or not to, but know that it can be an uphill battle.”
Payton slouched in his seat. “I know too.”
They pulled up in front of the school, and Payton grabbed his backpack from under his feet. As he reached for the door handle, his dad clutched his forearm before he could jump out.
“Look, all I’m saying is be careful. And, well, if you need help, let me know.”
He paused, listening to the engine running. “I know. I’ll be okay.”
“I know that. I’m more worried about what will happen in the process.”
“Dad, I’ve had to deal with this crap before. Things will be fine.”
“I’m sorry you had to at your age, and I know things will turn out okay. I’m just more worried about you.”
Payton stared out the window. “I’m not worried about me. I’m more worried about someone else.”
“I know. That’s what scares me.”
He locked eyes with his dad, gripped his hand still on his forearm, then jumped out of the truck.
As his dad took off, Payton noticed a dark-haired guy in a leather jacket standing out in front of the school. He made a few shady exchanges, then walked back to the hotel across the street.
Payton adjusted his backpack, then followed the guy across the field to the hotel. He wasn’t going to let this jerk mess with anyone anymore.
Especially Lily.
* * *
He heard the bell ring behind him as he power-walked across the street, but at that point it didn’t matter. There were more important things to take care of.
He watched the guy walk up to a bunch of scantily-clad girls in front of the hotel, grab one of the girl’s butts, then walk with her into the front door.
What a class act.
He shouldered past the girls in the front, then followed the guy and his girl choice through the front doors. As he walked past the front desk he was stopped.
“Excuse me, sir. Do you have a reservation?”
“Seriously?”
“Well, I can’t let you in unless you either have a reservation or are here to see someone.”
Okay. I ‘get’ it.
“Yeah, I’m here to see Eddie Rodrigues.”
The hotel clerk paused, “Is he expecting you?”
“I guess you could say that.”
She then typed a few strokes on her computer. “Okay. Room 402. Knock first.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
He grabbed the keys the girl handed him, then ran up the stairs, two at a time. When he got to the room, he slammed the door shut behind him, threw his backpack down on the dirty bed and sat down to wait.
And wait.
Finally, greasy Eddie guy came in the room. He scoffed. “You look a little young for this sorta thing.”
Payton gave the guy a deadpan look. “No younger than the girls you got working.”
“Huh. A smart butt. Nice. Makes me figure out who to set you up with.”
“I don’t want a girl.”
“Then what are you here for, kid. I got things to do.”
“Obviously.”
The man was scrawny, at least two feet shorter than he was. He knew he could take him if he had to, but he had no weapon, which he was positive the Eddie guy had stashed somewhere.
“I wanna talk to you, actually.”
“About what. And time is money so make it fast.”
“Lily Joplin.”
The man’s face went stern. “What about her?”
“Leave her alone.”
“Or what?”
Payton stood up. “Or you deal with me.”
“She comes here, boy,” Eddie laughed. “I don’t go to her. So, maybe, you should talk to her. But know that she owes me. A lot. And that she needs to work it off somehow.”
“What, with you?”
“I don’t let her go out,” he said, his nose touching Payton’s. “She’s all mine.”
He tried maintaining his composure. “Let’s have an understanding. She’s not ‘yours.’ And I’m not going to let you be in control of her anymore. I know it was you dropping her off after…whatever it was you made her do…but it isn’t happening anymore.”
“Says who?”
“Says me.”
Eddie sauntered up to Payton. “Let’s you and me have an understanding. She owes me. So what I tell her to do, she’ll do. And some young, smart-mouthed kid is not going to come in here and tell me how deal with stuff.”
“I’d like to see you try and stop me.”
Right then, Eddie rushed him. What the man didn’t realize is Payton had twelve years of jiu-jitsu. In fact, he was a trained black belt.
Payton crouched down, stuck his leg out then swung it around to trip Eddie out. When on the ground, he jumped on the man, then punched him twice in the jaw, faster than a man thought he could, to daze him, holding his forearm to the man’s throat.
Once Eddie was stoic, Payton said, “I can do more than that, buddy. If you wanna test me, go ahead. I’m ready.”
With blood running down the man’s face, he smirked at Payton. “Why do you give a crap about that little slut anyway? I’m sure you could have your way with her. She gives in pretty easily with the right incentive.”
Payton punched the man square in the nose, his knees on Eddie’s arms to prevent a fight. A loud crunch echoed in the room with the blow. The man screamed.
“Don’t ever talk about her, or any other woman, like that. She’s a human being who deserves to be treated with more respect.”
“Then you’d better tell her to start acting like she deserves to be treated that way. You don’t seem to be stupid. You know you get treated how you put out.”
Payton flipped the man over, blood splattering on the floor, and put him in a back-hand chokehold. “Let’s get something straight. Women act how they are treated. I know that for sure. And this is one woman I am not going to allow to slip away because some slip-ball thinks he owns her. Know this. I will hurt you in ways you didn’t know possible if you ever go near her again. I know where you work, where you live and who you deal with. Let Lily go.”
After almost losing his breath, Eddie choked on his words, “Fine. Whatever. She doesn’t mean that much to me anyway.”
“Well, she means everything to me. And if you ever go near her again, not only will you have me to deal with, you’ll have a few very powerful people in the military and police squad to deal with.”
He got up as the man gasped for breath, then spat on him saying. “Count on it.”
After that, he shook as he picked his backpack up and walked out the door. He walked down the stairs, and ran full-hilt back to school.
He just hoped he helped, rather than hindered.
* * *
Lily didn’t show up for morning rehearsals. Payton wasn’t surprised but still held out hope. And he was worried his earlier interaction with Eddie caused issues for her.
He called her.
No answer. But her voicemail kicked in.
“You know what to do.”
*beep*
“It’s me,” he said. “Look, I know things kind of went down the crapper last night, but you still need to be here. Your performers are worried about you. I am too. Call me.”
He slapped his cell shut, and tapped it on his forehead.
C’mon, you’re better than this, he thought. Don’t give in.
He went on to his morning classes, then went out to the field to call her again.
No answer.
Voice mail again.
“Me again. C’mon.
Just call me and tell me to screw off or something, at least. I’m getting really worried here. I need to hear your voice.”
He hung up, resisting the urge to throttle his phone across the field.
Anxiety sloshed around in his stomach in cold waves. It wasn’t just what happened between him and that jerk earlier. It was all too familiar. The disappearing…the refusing to talk…the moods…the helplessness.
But he didn’t want her to suffer for the lame heroic stint he tried to do.
I can’t do this, he thought, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
He walked back into the school, and ran up the steps. He was so absorbed in his thoughts he didn’t see the Dean standing in the open doorway. Payton jumped, not expecting anyone to be there.
“Hey, I was going to come see you to give you a report.”
The Dean’s face was flushed. His voice somber. “Son, you need to get ready to go. Your dad just called. There’s been an emergency with your sister and he’s coming to take you to the hospital. You’ll be excused for the rest of the week. I’m so sorry.”
Dahlia.
Oh no.
Payton’s heart raced. He shoved past the Dean, and ran down the hallway to the front doors. He grabbed what he needed from his locker, then paused before going out. Liam’s truck was already parked on the side street. He shoved the door open, tore down the front steps and sprinted across the grass.
Payton jumped into the passenger seat, throwing his canvas bag into the backseat, ironically landing on Dahlia’s carseat. Liam’s normally reddish and clean-shaven face was pale, covered with stubble. His eyes were blood-shot and rimmed with tears.
“What happened?” Payton asked
“We aren’t 100% sure,” Liam said, rubbing his cheek. “Katie said she was cleaning up in your room and while she was putting a load through the washer, River started screaming. Katie ran into your room and Dahlia was laying on the floor with white stuff all over the carpet, her face and hands.”
Payton’s stomach lurched. “Is she okay?”
Blackbird Flies Page 10