Chapter 2 #2
“Dante.” He smiles. “I’m guessing that’s a no if you don’t even know his last name.”
“It’s not him. I’d rather not say who it is.” I point to his food. “What do you think?”
He sets his taco down. “I’m not hungry.”
“Not fancy enough?”
“My tastes have improved over the years. I can’t go back to eating that way.”
“You didn’t have money growing up?” I ask, finishing my taco and grabbing another.
“Not much. We always had food on the table, but my parents struggled to pay the bills.”
“They weren’t in show biz?”
“They were teachers. My mother taught drama, which is why your father and I got into acting. She was always taking us to plays or movie sets. Several of her friends were actors so we were exposed to the industry at an early age.”
“They died in a car accident, right? Your parents?”
He nods. “Years ago. Before you were born.” He cocks his head. “Devon never told you about them?”
“He just told me they died.” I shove my tray aside and grab some napkins to wipe my hands.
I really want to tell Brock what Jackson found out about my dad, but I can’t.
He’ll ask where I got the information, which is something I can’t tell him.
And asking Brock about my dad will cause a fight, which I need to avoid.
I need to stay on his good side, so he doesn’t punish me.
Then in the morning, he’ll hopefully go to LA and forget all about it.
“Are you going to see Morgan tomorrow?” I ask.
“I haven’t decided.” He checks his phone. “She might be doing something with Livia.”
“You could all do something together.”
“That never turns out well. As I’m sure you noticed last week at dinner, I’m not Livia’s favorite person.”
“It might help if you called her Liv instead of Livia. She reminded you of that three times that night.”
“It wouldn’t make a difference. She wants her mother to remain single. She gets more attention that way.”
“When are you going to propose?”
“Maybe in the spring.” He gets up. “Ready to go?”
We drive to the school, and Brock takes me to the stadium, which is down a long sidewalk that winds through some trees. I didn’t even know it was there.
“They built the new stadium farther from the school,” he says as we walk. “The noise during practice was disturbing to the students who were trying to study. Braden probably told you they practice all hours of the day and night.”
“He did, but I didn’t think it was during school hours.”
“It’s not, but students hold study groups after school and want it to be quiet.”
We arrive at the stadium, which is only half full. It’s all Twisted Pine students, wearing school t-shirts and sweatshirts.
“I thought there’d be more people,” I say, following Brock to the section that has all adults.
“I haven’t been to a game for a while but usually it’s just Twisted Pine students. The other schools don’t like being here due to the rules.”
“What rules?”
“They’re very strict about noise and disruptions.”
“You can’t make noise?”
“You can cheer, but they don’t allow booing or calling out insults to players. And they throw out anyone who starts a fight.” He shoots me a look.
I sigh. “I’m not going to fight anyone.”
We’re in the front row of the bleachers, right by the end zone. I glance behind me and see nobody my age.
“I feel like I shouldn’t be here,” I say, turning to Brock.
“Of course you should be here. Your cousin’s the quarterback.”
“I mean here. In the parents’ section.”
He folds his arms over his chest and looks out at the field. “If you’d like to sit with your classmates, go ahead.”
Glancing over at the student section, I don’t see anyone I’d want to sit with. And staying here with Brock, I might get some information about the football team, along with getting on his good side.
“I’m fine staying here,” I say. “Gives us a chance to hang out.”
He gives me a sideways glance that makes me think he knows that last comment was bullshit. I’m sure he’s figured out I’m doing everything possible to avoid punishment. I just hope it works.
“Brock,” someone says from behind us.
I turn and see a man in dress pants and a sweater two rows up. Why is he so dressed up for a football game? The other parents are dressed up too. Some of the women are even wearing dresses. They’re casual dresses, but still, who wears a dress to a football game?
“Harris,” Brock says, getting up and turning to face the guy. “It’s been a long time.”
“It certainly has.” The guy walks over the bleachers, stopping in front of us. “Haven’t seen you at a game in quite some time.”
Brock smiles. “It’s Braden’s last season. I’m hoping I’ll make it to several more if my job doesn’t get in the way.”
What a lie. He doesn’t want to come to another game. He’s only at this one because he was forced to show up.
“We’re all hoping Braden will bring us to State this year,” Harris says.
“He’s definitely feeling the pressure,” Brock says. “Spends all his time at the gym or here on the field.”
“I’m not worried about Braden. He’s a solid player. It’s his teammates I’m worried about.” Harris laughs. “He’ll need to keep those boys in line, mine in particular.”
“Who’s your son?” I ask, standing up next to Brock.
Harris looks at me. “Miles. He’s a running back. Do you know much about football?”
“Not really. But I know Miles. I sit with him at lunch. Well, at his table.”
“You sit at the football table?” Harris asks, sounding surprised.
“She’s Braden’s cousin,” Brock explains. “My niece. She recently moved here from New York.”
Harris nods. “Yes, Miles mentioned there was someone new at school. So why aren’t you sitting with your classmates?”
I wrap my arm around Brock’s. “I didn’t want to leave my uncle all alone.”
His eyes go to me, then back to Harris. “I suppose we should take our seats. The game will be starting soon.”
“Won’t be much of a game,” Harris says with a laugh. “Our opponent hasn’t won in over a year. Did you hear Legion got a new coach?”
“I didn’t,” Brock says in a surprised tone, feigning interest. He doesn’t care about their new coach or anything else related to football. I bet he’ll spend the whole game on his phone. “Who is it?”
“A guy from the Midwest. College coach. If they’re bringing in someone from the college level, you know they’re serious. They’re making an investment.”
“We could do the same. We have far more resources than they do. And we have the connections.”
Harris shrugs. “We do, but no one wants to replace Coach Davis. Principal Edwards thinks he’s top notch, and he obviously is given the improvement in the team since he came on board.”
“I’d like to give at least some of the credit to Braden.”
Harris smiles. “Of course. And Miles. All the boys have been doing their best to beat Legion. Let’s hope it finally happens this year.” He winks. “Maybe the Legion boys will have an injury or two.”
Why did he wink like that? Is someone planning to hurt the Legion players? During a game, or after?
They better not be thinking of hurting Jackson. If they do, they’ll be the ones getting hurt, even if I have to do it myself.