Adam
It’s so damn hot outside that instead of after school practice, Coach decided to move it to the morning before school. Which is fine with me, I was up early anyway, not only because of chores.
I can’t stop thinking about yesterday. About how scared little Mary looked hiding behind the chair. About how unsurprised Zach looked, but was equally as angry as I was. I think it’s getting worse.
And I hate how helpless I feel.
After practice we all head into the locker room to shower before school but Zach doesn’t seem like himself at all. I mean, I can’t blame him after yesterday and he’s always quiet, but I can’t shake the bad feeling that something is off. We reach our lockers and I nudge him with my arm, “You okay?”
“Yeah.” He says way too fast, like he was expecting me to ask. “Dinner was awesome last night. Tell your mom thank you again.”
I’m about to tell him to tell her himself after school when an obnoxious asshole from our class nudges me with his hand, “Hey Bates! How’s your brother and his girlfriend?”
I roll my eyes at his half-ass attempt to rile me up. It’s not the first time I’ve heard this shit, and it won’t be the last. My brother dating Dixon is big news around here. I don’t even turn around to face him, “That’s a good one. Did it hurt to come up with it?”
“Aw don’t be mad, Bates. Maybe it’s Jameson that’s the girl. He did always throw like one.”
“Why don’t you shut the fuck up?” Zach has turned around, his nostrils flaring, and his hands are clenched at his sides. He’s not a fighter. Neither one of us are. We’re the quiet ones that sit back and watch all the morons fight it out.
But he looks ready for a fight now and I turn to look at him, not the dumbass goading me.
“Oh come on, Olson. We’re just having a little fun.”
“It’s not funny. Neither one of them are girls. They’re both men and they’re together. And they’re both more men than you’ll ever be.”
“Aw, maybe you’re a little jealous, Olson. You have a crush on the older Bates.”
I roll my eyes again, but Zach starts to move forward like he’s going to knock this fucker on his ass and I stop him with a hand on his chest, “Don’t.”
He turns to look at me, “He needs to shut his fucking face.”
“He’s an asshole. We know this.” I don’t focus on anyone else, but Zach. Trying to figure out what the hell is going on with him.
And then another teammate is there, laughing his head off with asshole one. “Nah, Zach doesn’t want Bates. He’s just pissed off because Chloe won’t give his sorry ass another chance.”
Zach’s whole body is rigid with tension. His jaw clenched tight as I whirl around to look at the fuckers who don’t know how close to a beating they are. “Shut the hell up and get to class.”
“Captain’s orders?” The guy is smirking at me. He’s big, but I could take him. Not to mention I am Captain on the team and I have Coach’s respect so if this guy doesn’t listen to me, his ass will be benched.
It wouldn’t be a loss.
“Yes.”
He rolls his eyes at me, but turns and takes his little friend with him. Zach turns back toward his locker, his muscles tense with anger.
“Zach.”
“Don’t.” He cuts me off quickly and it damn near shocks me. He doesn’t talk to me like that. “Just don’t.” His tone has softened, but something is for sure going on with him.
We both quickly shower and change, grabbing our backpacks, but Zach doesn’t wait for me as he pushes through the locker room doors and heads toward classes.
We have third period together, but I can’t wait that long to check in with him so I race to catch up to him and pull his arm, stopping him. “Zach. Do you want to talk?”
“Nope. Gotta get to class.”
But he won’t even look at me. I don’t understand what’s going on with him and it’s frustrating. “Please.” I ask, keeping my voice down as students around us race down the halls to beat the tardy bell, but I don’t care about that.
His eyes meet mine. Finally. But they aren’t telling me anything. “Why do you always have to do the right thing?”
“What?” I ask, totally taken aback.
“Back there.” He points toward the locker room. “Why not just deck that fucker? Tell him to shut his damn mouth. Break the rules if it means standing up for your brother.”
“Jameson got in dumbass fights. Not me.” I’m not my brother. I avoid fights and so does Zach. I’m beyond confused now. He wanted me to get into a fight? One that wouldn’t have solved anything and got us all benched or suspended? I release his arm and he drops it to his side.
He’s clearly frustrated and angry when he speaks again. “It’s not a dumbass fight though. The girl? Fucking really? How goddamn ignorant can they be?”
Very. But I’ve heard it my whole life. So has Zach. It’s just sort of how Kensley is. And yeah, I think maybe it’s getting a little better, but there will always be inconsiderate morons. Who refuse to think before they speak. “So hitting him would have made him less stupid?”
“It would have made him think twice before he starts saying that stupid shit again.”
I stare at him, seeing the anger in his eyes and not recognizing it. “What’s going on with you?”
He scoffs at that and starts walking again. “Nothing.”
I don’t let him walk away from him though, keeping the pace next to him. “Nothing? This isn’t like you. They say stupid shit all the time. And I know Chloe is a tough subject for you.”
He stops and faces me again, “It’s not Chloe. It’s them being ignorant as fuck and me being tired of it. It’s your brother. Your blood.”
I search his face, trying to find the answers.
It’s not like I don’t care about my brother, but it’s what we’ve all heard before.
I know they’re stupid, but I don’t think I can change their minds.
I don’t have the time or energy to try either.
“Jameson is happy and he can hold his own. He doesn’t need me schooling some high school prick who will never leave Kensley and is likely to be on his third divorce before our ten year reunion. ”
“You don’t get it.” He says, his voice a quiet almost desperate rasp.
“I want to.” I say honestly.
I desperately want to know what the hell is going on with him. “It doesn’t matter. I have to get to class.”
He adjusts his backpack strap on his shoulder and looks around nervously. This isn’t the place to have this conversation and I don’t actually want to be late to class. “Talk later?”
He nods and makes a totally noncommittal noise, but then shuffles off without another word.
I hurry to class, but I’m left feeling nothing but empty and worried. I’m going to class and respect that he may not want to talk about Chloe and what’s going on with him in public, but I’m not going to totally drop it.
I need him to talk to me and soon because I can’t take this much longer.