Chapter 5 #2
Years ago, Brock was on a TV show where he played a minister with a ton of kids, like six or seven.
It was on when I was a baby, so I’ve only seen it in reruns.
It was so syrupy sweet I couldn’t watch more than a few minutes of it, but other people loved it.
It was one of the most popular shows on TV at the time.
“What show was Peyton on?” I ask.
“Several. She started acting when she was five. She was on some children’s shows, and when she was older she was in films, mostly family movies and a few limited release Christian films, shown mainly at churches.”
I laugh. “Peyton was in Christian movies? Let me guess. She played the virgin teenager struggling to decide if she should have sex with her boyfriend?”
“Actually, yes, I believe that was one of them. I only know that because Marilyn had the script on her desk and I read through it while I was waiting for her to arrive for a meeting.”
We get to the house, and he parks in the driveway.
“I’ll be in my office,” he says as we head in.
Walking to my room, my anger returns as I realize I’m stuck in the house on a Friday night while everyone else is out having fun.
I miss you, I text Jackson.
He should be done with the game by now, but he’s probably out with the team.
Where are you? He texts back.
Home. Brock made us leave because Braden got hurt.
My phone rings with Burt’s name on the screen.
“Hey,” I answer. “Aren’t you with the team?”
“Yeah, but I went to my car so we could talk. What happened to Braden?”
“A player from the other team slammed into him. Braden fell and hurt his knee.”
“Did he return to the game?”
“No. He couldn’t. So Brock made us leave.”
“He wouldn’t even stay behind with his injured son? What an ass.”
“I know. Trystan stayed there with him. I’m guessing they’ll be home soon.”
“They won’t. They’ll go to the parties.”
“Braden won’t. He looked like he was in a lot of pain.”
“Pain is the norm when you play football. You just have to ignore it.”
“You’re in pain? Like right now?”
“There’s always something that hurts. Tonight a guy slammed into my shoulder. I thought I tore something, but it seems better now.”
“You should go home and ice it.”
“I can’t. I need to show up at the parties. Same with Braden. You go where your teammates go, and if they’re at the parties, you show up.”
“You should’ve seen Braden. He was so pissed. He claims the guy hit him on purpose. You think he did?”
“No. If it was intentional, the ref would’ve called a penalty. Running into a guy on the field happens all the time. Guys get hurt. It’s part of the game.” He pauses. “How bad was his knee?”
“I don’t know. They took him away and said he needed to put ice on it.”
“If it just needs some ice, it’s not that bad. I’m sure he’ll play in the next game.”
“Did you guys win?”
“Yeah. It was a blowout, just like yours.”
“You saw the score?”
“We keep track of all the scores on Friday nights. Twisted Pine has five minutes left but they’re up thirty-five to nothing.”
“Then they only got one more touchdown since Braden left. I guess he really is the reason they win.”
“He’s not. The team was probably just distracted after he left, worried Braden’s out for the season. They lost focus and didn’t score as much. I gotta get back to the party, but what’s the plan for tonight?”
“I’m stuck here. Brock grounded me for hitting Kristen. I’d sneak out, but he keeps checking my room to see if I’m here. I swear he’s obsessed with keeping me home. It’s like he knows about us and doesn’t want me seeing you.”
“Did he say something?”
“No, but why else would he want to lock me up in my room?”
“Are you sure he doesn’t know?”
“I don’t think so. He’d say something if he did. And he’d literally lock me in my room. Like put bars on the doors and windows so I couldn’t leave.”
“We should do something so that doesn’t happen.”
“Like what?”
“Let me figure it out. For now, just get Brock out of the house so I can see you. I’ve still got Mick fixing the recordings from the security cameras, so you don’t have to worry about that. You just have to get rid of Brock so he’s not checking on you.”
“How am I going to get rid of him?”
Music blares in the background.
“I’m back at the party. Can’t talk. I’ll text you later. Let me know what happens.”
I toss my phone on the bed and try to think of a way to get rid of Brock. It’s getting late. He’s not going to go anywhere this late. And he said he needed to do stuff in his office, whatever that means.
I’ll just have to see Jackson some other night. But I really want to see him sooner than that. I need him. He’s the only person who makes me feel better, and right now, I feel like shit. It’s been a really bad day, and being alone in this room makes me miss my mom.
I need to see him. I can’t wait until tomorrow.
Glancing over at the couch, an idea pops into my head. I slowly smile.
Getting out my phone, I find her number. Brock gave it to me after we had dinner that night.
She picks up on the first ring. “I’m busy. What do you want?”
“Hey, Liv. It’s Rumor. I need a favor.”