Chapter 30
Group Decision
Benji stopped flirting with Janet as soon as he realized Dani was at the bar. Jake, it looks like your teammate wants a piece of ya girl. Love triangle, anyone? #JustSayin
We get back from McCarthy's and sit down in front of the TV while Axel uses the chrome cast to pull up the video of the drug deal.
My heart is beating so fast, and I have butterflies in my stomach.
I know just one video won't get him arrested, but it's a start.
We plan to get more of him breaking the law so that he at least gets kicked off the football team, and ultimately we want him arrested and long gone from here.
You don't have to go home, Asshat, but you can't stay here!
I grab Jake's arm as the screen comes into focus.
Hector is pointing the camera through the slit of the bathroom stall.
It's not the best picture quality, but you can see well enough to know what's happening.
The guy from school is waiting in between the urinal and the sink.
Benji walks in, and he's all business, no small talk.
"What you want, man?" He asks gruffly. He's impatient for some reason, or maybe he’s always like that. I don't know, but it makes me roll my eyes.
"What ya got?" Clearly Lit guy didn't get the memo. Benji is an Asshat. Benji pushes him against the wall, making me jump in the process. Jake wraps his arm around me. I hate that I showed a moment of weakness, but I love how he fiercely wants to protect me.
The guy holds up his hands. "Whoa, man! I don't want any trouble.
I'll take some of those two sweet girls, man.
Yeah, that's right, the best you got. I love when Molly and Mary Jane come out to play.
" Benji laughs. The tone of which comes out harsh and cold.
He lightly slaps the guy on the cheek. Does he even have a soul?
Benji backs up, takes out his phone, and quickly sends out a text.
Seconds later, Jeffery walks in and gives the customer what he wants. Benji stops the guy from Lit as he's walking out. "Tell anyone about this, and I'll end you."
The guy looks at him dumbfounded. "I'm buying drugs, man. Who the hell am I going to tell? I'd get in trouble too."
Benji nods his head. "That's true. Glad you see it that way. I don't make idle threats. Just remember that."
A shiver runs up and down my spine. Benji's a ruthless criminal, and for the first time, I don't play down the fact that he scares the hell out of me.
What are we going to do? I don't want anybody getting hurt, me included.
But how can we let him get away with what he's doing? If we don't stand up, who will?
I'm not one for public speaking, but I know I won't be able to get any rest tonight until I say what's on my mind.
"Watching this tape tonight, y'all, has me scared to death.
Benji may be a teenager just like us, but he's a hardened criminal already.
I could see it in the way he handled himself in that video.
I don't think any of you would disagree with that.
I saw your facial expressions just like you saw mine.
I don't want to stop our mission of bringing him down because I believe Benji won't stop unless we take him out of commission.
I think that every single one of us needs to think seriously about what it is we are doing because one of us is bound to end up hurt.
I won't think badly of you if you decide it's not worth it. I don't think any of us will."
I look at all of their grave faces, all torn on what to do except for Jake. My Sex King is such a cocky ass. He's been sitting on ready since the locker room incident. Throw in Benji's apparent "admiration" for me, and he's past his boiling point.
The Benji situation is complex, and we could face significant consequences, like being killed by the Godfather!
I don't know what else to tell them or how to make it better.
All I know is I won't stop. I laughed when Axel joked about Benji being infatuated with me, but the more I think about it, the more I believe he could have misplaced feelings. Very creepy misplaced feelings!
Guilt tears me apart. If I had just left Benji alone and never danced with him the night of my first party, and if I had heeded Jake's warning and not talked to him anymore, maybe we wouldn't be sitting here tonight. I mean, the boy sniffed and stole my underwear. Lord only knows why he did that!
Sasha speaks first. "Will you stop if we do?"
I don't want to lie, but I don't want anyone doing this just because I won't stop. So, I give a vague answer that's more an omission than a lie. "I'm torn by what my decision is."
She gives me a stern look. In our limited time of being friends, she's come to know me. "Dani, don't bullshit a bullshitter."
I grin. "Okay. You got me. I don't know how to continue, but I wouldn't just sit back and do nothing.
I couldn't. I think…I think..." I look over at Jake, and he is intently staring at me, eager for my following words.
"I know Axel was joking when he said that Benji was in love with me, and I don't think it's love because how could it be?
He doesn't know me, but I think he's slightly obsessed with me. "
I grimace as I hear Jake let out a string of cuss words that would make a sailor blush.
I knew he wouldn't take kindly to what I had to say.
I had to be 100% honest, though. I look back at him, and he's pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger.
That's his tell-tell sign that he's very stressed.
He takes my hand. "You're not doing anything by yourself.
Even before you gave your honest answer, I knew I couldn't drop this, but Dani, will you still want me after I hurt that motherfucker?
He can't have what's mine. Not football and not YOU!
I've been worried for a while now that he’s obsessed with you.
I didn't want to believe it, but he fucking is, Dani! I'll be the one to fucking END him!"
He goes to get up, but I sit my chubby self in his lap before he can.
I make him look down at me and I whisper so that only he can hear me.
"I know you won't ever question my loyalty to you, but Jake, you've got to keep a level head about this.
One false move could end everything you've strived so hard to accomplish in your life.
Don't let him hold that power over you. We will get through this, and we will be smart about it. We're a team. Remember?"
He looks at me with puppy dog eyes and it breaks my heart.
He loves me so much, I know this now and he wants to solely protect me.
While that is one of his most admiral qualities, he has to remember that we're a team.
I'd go to the ends of the earth for him just like he would for me.
"I remember. I love you, Dani. I don't want you hurt. I..."
I put my finger to his lips to nicely shush him. "Jake, I don't want you hurt either. We're either all in or not in at all."
He licks my finger and smiles. He kisses me gently, and I turn to our friends to await their answer and Jake sighs. "Nobody has to agree to do this. You guys have done plenty, and we can take it from here."
Jaxon stands up. "Okay. No, you're not doing that. We may not be obligated to help, but I think I can speak for everyone else when I say y'all are NOT doing this alone. We're a team. On and off the field."
Dallas agrees. "I wish I could talk Sasha out of doing any spy work, but I know that's meaningless. She's got her girls back, and that's one of the reasons I love her."
Sasha squeals. She's got tears in her eyes. "Dios mìo! I love you, too, baby!" She kisses him all over his face. I jump up and down because my best friend is in some serious love!!
Jaxon smiles. "You just had to one-up my speech, didn't you, Dallas."
Dallas smiles like only a man in love will do. "Yes, I did!"
Everyone laughs and we look to Hector and Axel. It's their turn to decide. Hector gives us a stank face. "I'm not a little bitch. I ain't scared of an Asshat."
Axel agrees. "Yeah, Jake. I'm all in. I would hope you would have my back, too. Especially since that Preppy Asshat smelled your girl's panties."
Jake's eyes go big, and I cringe, blushing like always. "That motherfucker did what?!?!" Oh, boy!