Thirty-five
After three failed attempts of trying to sneak out to head back to the hospital, my dad finally manages to convince me to get some sleep.
I’m down for a solid ten hours, obviously needing it more than I realized. When I get up, my car keys have disappeared and there’s a note on the fridge telling me to go to school, not the hospital. My dad isn’t here, probably at the office, so he won’t actually know whether I ditch school or not. Still, deciding it’s better than sitting here and stewing with my thoughts all day, I text Chad and ask him for a ride.
I shower, get dressed and meet him by his car when he arrives. The whole way, I catch him shooting me funny looks, but he doesn’t ask any questions, which I’m thankful for. No doubt, the whole town has heard the news by now. That Oakley’s in the hospital and I was arrested for putting him there. But, I’ve built up somewhat of a reputation over the years; nobody will say shit to me unless they want their ass handing to them.
By first period, my suspicions are confirmed.
Everyone knows.
People dodge me in the halls, stare at me as I pass and whisper like crazy when they think I’m not listening. I try to block it all out, ignore as best as I can. But, it’s hard. I don’t like that the fact my whole world has fallen apart is considered entertainment, small-town gossip. I wanna scream at everyone, tell them all to go fuck themselves.
The urge to do that only gets worse when I’m called into the Principal’s office and every single set of eyes around me swings my way. Squaring my shoulders, I barge through the crowd, keeping my head down all the way to the office.
Principal Fischer’s waiting for me by the door. Normally, he kisses my ass, hoping to leave a lasting impression in case I ever make it big. But, not today. Right now, he’s looking at me like I’m a goddamn criminal.
“Asher,” he greets, not a trace of enthusiasm in his voice. “Come in. Have a seat.”
I slump down in the chair opposite his desk. “What’s this about?”
His eyes cast downward as he steeples his fingers together. “I’m sure it won’t come as a surprise to you that we’ve been made aware of the… events that transpired recently.” When I don’t say anything, he clears his throat and leans forward. “Of course, we don’t want to speculate what has or hasn’t occurred, but we do have a duty of care to uphold that ensures our students safety.”
I quirk a brow. “You think someone might try and hurt me?”
He sputters, his eyes bulging. “Well, that wasn’t exactly what I— You see, the thing is—”
“Wait.” My jaw clenches so hard it makes the muscle pop. “Don’t tell me you meant it the other way around. You think I’m a danger to everyone?”
“Please, try to understand that—”
“No. This is a fucking joke.”
I shove out of the chair, reaching the office door in two strides. Fuck this place. Not only do they believe Chief Farrow’s bullshit, but they’re suspending me because of it, too. Fine. If they don’t want me here, then I’m gone.
Principal Fischer follows me, though he keeps a decent amount of distance between us, I realize. “This isn’t personal, Asher.”
“No, I’m sure it’s not,” I spit, shooting venom with my glare. “It definitely wasn’t personal when you made a statement against me, was it? What does he have on you, huh?”
He blanches. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The Chief. What does he have on you? Money problems, stuff you don’t want your wife finding out about? It must be something good to have you instantly throwing me under the bus like this. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?”
“Asher…”
“Come on, sir. How long have you known me? Do you really think I’m capable of doing something like this? Do you really believe I’m some psychopath who goes around hospitalizing people?”
He doesn’t say a word, just rolls his lips between his teeth, his gaze darting away from me. I let out a sigh and open the door.
“Forget it,” I mutter. “I’ll leave.”
Not even bothering to grab my shit from my locker, I make for the nearest exit. With no car and nobody to give me a ride, it looks like I’m walking. Mind spinning, I let my feet lead the way, not realizing where I’m going until I’m standing outside the diner.
Hal’s truck is parked outside. The truck Oakley picked me up in that night he took me to the clearing. The truck where we… Fuck. I turn away, pain lancing through my chest. Just thinking about him physically hurts now, yet it’s all I can seem to do. Try and remember every single second we spent together, the good and the bad. I miss him so much that it feels like I’m dying.
With a deep breath, I push open the door, the bell above chiming as I enter. It’s quiet inside, only one or two customers in the back. Sienna’s behind the counter and she freezes as soon as she sees me.
“Asher,” she murmurs, wiping her hands off on the apron tied around her waist. “What are you doing here?”
I take a seat on a stool, scanning the menu in front of me with unseeing eyes. “Got suspended from school. Didn’t feel like going home yet.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“It’s…” I shrug, utterly defeated. “It was bound to happen. I know what everyone thinks of me now.”
“Not everyone,” a gruff voice says from behind me.
I turn, brows furrowing as I come face to face with Hal. After Sienna’s cryptic comments and the way Hal went off at the hospital that day, I had my suspicions that they knew. About the Chief, what he was doing to Oakley. I was ninety percent sure. Now, after seeing the look on his face, I’m a hundred.
“How long have you known?” I ask.
He sighs and moves behind the counter. “A while.”
I flick my gaze to Sienna. “And you?”
She swallows. “I knew something wasn’t… right. But, I didn’t know what. Not until a few days ago.”
“Why did nobody say anything?” I choke out. “Do anything? You could’ve stopped him months ago.”
Hal leans his elbows on the counter. It’s not hard to figure out the way he’s feeling right now, it’s written all over his face. Guilt. Remorse. I understand it well. “I tried, kid. So many times. But, that man? He’s pure evil. Manipulative as hell. He threatened everything I had, vowed to take it all away until I was left with nothing. At the time, the thought of being without this place was inconceivable. But now… I wish I’d burned it all to the ground if it meant keeping Oakley safe. That’s a regret I’ll have to live with for the rest of my days.”
“What about now? Surely if enough of us come forward, telling them what we know, they’ll have to listen.”
He shakes his head solemnly. “He’s got that whole police department eating out of the palm of his hand. It’s the same with the mayor and practically everyone else living here, too. Unless we’ve got concrete proof, they won’t listen to a damn word we say.”
Muttering a curse, I run my hands over my hair, tugging at the roots until the bite of pain is enough to keep me grounded. “And now Oakley can’t even tell them the truth, either.”
It’s a cruel turn of events. That the only person who could end this, could stop Chief Farrow for good, can’t even remember a single thing about the abuse he went through. If only there was another way, somebody else who could—
My head shoots up. “What about April? She saw it, right? Or, at least, knew it was happening. Will they listen to her?”
Sienna immediately shakes her head. “She won’t talk about it. That poor girl is terrified of her uncle, of what he might do if she comes clean.”
“But, what if she—”
“Asher, she won’t even talk to me. And she knows me. Trust me, getting April to talk to the police isn’t an option.”
My shoulders slump, the defeat weighing me down again. It’s impossible. We’re in a mess that none of us can get out of.
Hal disappears into the kitchen, returning a few minutes later with a burger and fries. My mouth waters as he places the food down in front of me, my stomach growling so loudly that I’m sure the woman sitting in the back booth can hear it.
Hal smiles, his mustache twitching from the movement. “On the house. You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”
Probably because I haven’t. Every second of the last few days has been consumed with worrying about Oakley, making everything else - including keeping myself fed - go out the window. I scarf it all down, not leaving a single crumb.
Sienna takes away my empty plate and replaces it with a piece of pie before sliding a chocolate shake down beside it. I don’t question it, just take everything they give me, until I’m so full that I can barely move.
“I’ll keep trying,” she says after a while. “To make her talk. I can’t promise anything, but… I’ll try.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
She smiles, watching me for a beat. “I can’t believe I ever thought he was messing around with Peyton. You two? It makes so much more sense.”
My brows shoot up. “Really?”
“Oh, yeah. You suit each other. Polar opposites, but also… the same. I can’t explain it.”
“Yeah. I know what you mean.” Two halves of a whole, that’s the way I always thought of us. The ache in my chest grows deeper again, the reminder of what I’ve lost leaving me raw. I change the subject. “So, April’s still staying with you? I’m surprised the Chief hasn’t had anything to say about that yet.”
Sienna huffs. “He never had any interest in raising those kids. Honestly, it’s probably easier for him to leave her with me. He doesn’t know a damn thing about taking care of another person. I can’t complain, though. I love having April around.”
“You’re a good friend, Sienna. I’m sure Oakley will appreciate everything you’ve done for him.”
Her eyes shine with tears, her smile turning wobbly. “I hope so.”
I thank Hal again for the food and say my goodbyes, promising to come back soon and see them. If there’s one positive thing to come out of all this, it’s this surprising new friendship with Hal and Sienna.
I move for the door, pausing at the last second to look back over my shoulder. “I need to see him,” I rasp.
Sienna steps toward me. “Asher…”
“I know. I know it’s a bad idea, what with me being arrested and… him not remembering me. But, I just need to, Sienna. Please. I have to know he’s okay.”
She doesn’t say anything for a beat, just chews on her bottom lip, the cogs in her mind turning as she thinks it over. Finally, she relents. “Fine. I’m taking April to see him this afternoon, when she finishes school. If his uncle’s not there, I’ll text you.”
My breath rushes out of me, sheer relief making me feel weightless. “Thank you. Jesus, I can’t— just… thank you.”
She waves me off. “No problem. Now, get out of here. Go get ready to see your man.”
Fuck, I like the sound of that.