Zander
Chapter thirteen
Istop dead in my tracks, my face plastered to my phone. My weight shifts back and forth as I chew my fingernail nervously, waiting to see if she is going to answer.
Okay, I need to stay calm. She read them. Now if she’d only respond.
“Zan, come on, man. We need to get to class. What are you looking at?” Braxton asks.
“Sierra.” I can’t even finish the sentence, my gaze intently focused on the phone. I need her to say something. Anything. Just as long as I hear from her and know she’s okay.
“Did she call? Message?” he asks loudly, his tone hopeful. His outburst gains some attention and students turn to look at us, but he doesn’t care.
“No, but she read the messages. That’s a good sign. Right?”
“It’s a start.” Braxton sighs and turns to head down the hallway to his next class.
I follow behind him, heading to mine with a little more pep in my step, knowing at least she has her phone. I’ve just got to be patient and wait for her. She’s going through a lot right now and she’s probably trying to process everything.
The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur, my attention focused on one thing and one thing only—my phone. God, I hope there’s not some important assignment I missed or another pop quiz happening tomorrow.
My phone buzzes and my heart races with excitement, only to plummet when I see it’s Colt in our group chat.
Thing1: Hey Dad wants us to grab some pizza and ice cream on the way home
Thing1: I’ll meet you at the car
Me: ok Colt. I’m calling shotgun since Brax is driving
Thing2: be there in 5
I stop by my locker, switching out the books I need for tonight, and make my way out of the building. Just as I step out the door, Wes comes up beside me, slapping his hand on my shoulder.
“What’s up, man? Got your head on straight yet?” Wes asks sternly.
Is he for fucking real?
“Mine’s always been on straight. You should be asking yourself that question.” I pull away from him, breaking our contact, and continue to the parking lot.
“She’s just a skanky piece of ass. Not even a good one. You’ll grow tired of her soon!” he yells, causing those in earshot to burst into laughter. I throw my hand in the air, flipping him the bird.
I hate Wesley Johnson. Even more now knowing he’s the reason Sierra and Sam are in the situation they’re in.
As the Jeep comes into view, I’m still fuming and when I see Colt leaning against it, his head down, staring at the ground, I want to punch him for ever believing Wes’s bullshit.
“You need to get your boy in check,” I bark as I walk around to the passenger side and climb inside, slamming the door.
He walks around to the driver’s side and climbs into the backseat with a huff.
“Look, I admitted I made a mistake. What else do you want me to do?” His tone is low in defeat.
“Maybe tell Wesley he can fuck off. Stand up for Sierra when he talks shit about her. Anything. You haven’t even messaged her, have you? Why don’t you let her know you were an idiot?” I angrily spout off. There are so many things he could be doing and he hasn’t.
“I told you I want to talk to her in person. That’s if she’ll even talk to me.” He mumbles the last part so low, I barely hear him.
“I get that, but wouldn’t it look better for you if she sees that you’re at least worried about her and trying to check on her? It would go a long way in gaining her forgiveness.”
Colton starts to speak, but Braxton opens the door and climbs in the driver’s seat, handing his bookbag back to Colton.
“Has she messaged back?” he asks.
I shake my head, dropping my phone into my lap as he starts up the Jeep.
“Messaged what?” Colton leans forward, squeezing his upper body between the seats.
“Sierra read my messages.” I show him.
“Mine too,” Braxton adds in.
“Is she okay?” He perks up, his tone full of hope.
“Don’t know. She hasn’t answered,” I mutter, as I shift in my seat and let my head fall against the window.
“Oh,” Colton replies as he sits back.
Braxton starts up the jeep and pulls out of the parking lot.
“Don’t forget, we need to stop for Dad,” Colton reminds him.
We decided on the pizza place in the plaza that has a grocery store.
While Colton runs to get the ice cream, Braxton goes to get the pizza, leaving me in the car.
I’m staring out the window absently, watching people go in and out of the store.
I envy those with happy smiles as they hold the hand of their significant other.
I watch a couple about my age walk hand in hand, cuddled up next to each other, heading towards the pizza place, and I can’t help but be jealous.
My phone vibrates in my lap and I jump as a scream bursts from me. Okay, they may take my man card for that!
But a smile quickly takes over and my heart races.
She messaged me!
MYGIRL??: How is Sam?
She wants to know about Sam. That’s understandable, it's her sister.
Me: She misses you. You’re all she talked about last night
Me: How are you? Dad said someone from your family has you
I wait for her to respond. Bubbles appear, then disappear. The longer it takes, the more anxious I get.
MYGIRL??: Will you tell her I miss her too?
MYGIRL??: and that I love her?
Me: Of course but she knows you do
MYGIRL??: can you send me a picture of her? I just need to see that she’s okay.
MYGIRL??: I didn’t do what they said I did. I hate whoever accused me of that.
Fuck! She doesn’t know who did it.
Me: Of course I can. When I get home I’ll do it. I know you didn’t do anything to Sam. You are the best sister anyone could ever have.
Me: I won’t tell Dad because I don’t know if we’re supposed to but it’ll be our secret.
MYGIRL??: thank you
Me: I know you’re with family but are you coming back to school?
Me: Can I see you? We are partners so you can’t leave me hanging now can you?
I hope my girl can find some humor in that and laugh. She deserves to after the nightmare she’s been through. Hopefully, one day, she will open up and tell me everything.
My girl, whether she accepts it or not, that’s what she is to me. If I have to share her with my brothers, or even, as much as I hate to admit it, that guy at her apartment, I will if that’s what she wants. All I want is Sierra in my life.
MYGIRL??: Yeah I’ll be back at school soon, as much as I don’t want to be there. I have to until I turn 18 at least. I don’t want to give the courts any reason not to give me custody of Sam.
Custody? But how? Surely she doesn’t make enough at a burger joint to provide for her and Sam. Would she drop out of school to work full time? I have so many questions, but I don’t want to pry. Not yet anyway.
Me: Can I see you?
Me: Please?
MYGIRL??: If I don’t make it back to school by Friday then I’ll think about it.
Me: You mean all I have to do is wait one more day to see you?
MYGIRL??: Maybe. I don’t know.
Me: I’ll take it. But can I at least message you? I miss you.
MYGIRL??: ok
A smile stretches across my face. My phone vibrates in my hand again, and I look down.
MYGIRL??: I miss you too. Braxton too. Please don’t forget the picture and let Sam know.
Me: I promise
I can’t wait to tell Braxton and Sam. This will lift her spirits more than anything. I just need to make sure she knows we can’t tell anyone. Not even Dad. If he were to get in trouble for letting them have contact, then we risk Sam being removed from our home. I won’t let that happen.
The back door opens, pulling my attention. Colton has a bag with two tubs of ice cream, and Braxton is right behind him with four boxes of pizza.
Oh shit. Suddenly, the joy of her messaging is overshadowed by a thought. If Sierra finds out I know who turned her in and didn’t tell her, she’ll hate me. I need to know if I should tell her.
Me: If I knew who turned you in, would you want to know?
The bubbles appear, then disappear