CHAPTER 10
THEN
NICKY – Age 17
“This party’s dope. Nathan outdid himself this time around.” JP sips on whatever liquid’s in his red solo cup.
“Well, it’s to be expected.” Rico sighs. “Senior year, and all.”
“Why’d we miss last year’s?”
“Baby J talked us all into movie night. Remember?” Rico surveys the crowd of our scantily dressed female classmates, searching for prospects.
“Don’t say it like it was a chore.” I chuckle. “I seem to remember a certain someone buying us all footie pajamas for that particular occasion.”
Rico shrugs, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Go big or go home. Plus, you know I love J. I can’t say no to that kid for shit.”
“Did you talk to her yet? She get there okay?” JP looks to me, his expression one of genuine concern. My boys love J like their own flesh and blood. She may as well have three brothers instead of one.
“Yeah.” I nod, taking a sip of my beer. “Marcus drove down to get her this morning. They made it back fine. She texted me a little while ago. He and Kaitlyn have been spoiling her rotten ever since she got there.”
“Good.” Rico smiles in appreciation. “I know you aren’t thrilled with not having her here for Christmas morning, but she doesn’t get to see her dad a lot. It’s nice they’re able to spend the holiday together. It’s gotta be cold as balls on the Cape this time of year though.”
“So freaking cold.” I shudder at the memory of the Christmas we all spent together at her dad’s place a couple years ago. Her parents get along pretty well for a divorced couple. I actually admire them for that. They recognized their marriage was shit and acted accordingly to rectify the situation. No hard feelings or spiteful shit when it came to J. We’ve all been up there a few times over the years for various holidays, and she and I even spend two weeks there in the summer. However, this is the first Christmas since J came into my life that she won’t be with me, and Rico’s right… I low-key hate it. “She’ll be back in a few days,” I say more as a reminder to myself. “There’s only so much to do up there in winter before you go stir crazy. Plus, she can’t go more than a week away from Daph. They both start to go through withdrawal.”
The boys laugh at the mention of the hip attachment that is my sister’s best friend, though they all love Daph just as much as they do J. Hell, by the time JP came around, Daph was already a staple in our household. He’s never known our little crew without her.
“Bro,” JP slaps my chest with the back of his palm, “just think, this time next year, Daph’s gonna be driving. Then they’re really gonna keep us on our toes. She’s gonna be carting their asses all over this freaking town.”
“The fuck she is!” I choke on my beer, slightly panicking at the thought of the trouble the two of them could get into. “I will lay down the law with that one.”
This only makes the guys laugh harder, and I narrow my eyes in annoyance.
“Yeah.” Rico snorts into his cup. “Keep telling yourself that, Nick. Those girls are a force of nature. And Jones has you wrapped around her little finger. You ain’t stoppin’ shit. Not to mention, you’re going pro full time after we graduate this year. You’re not gonna be here to lay down the law.”
“In case you forgot, I went pro this year—and won, I might add—”
“Cheers to that!” JP raises his cup, slapping it against mine.
“—and I still was home plenty to keep tabs on the girls.”
“It was your rookie motocross season on the pro circuit, and you demolished that shit. You’re about to do for motocross what Ronaldo did for fútbol. How many sponsorship offers did you get?”
“Thirty-four.”
“And they’re still coming in. Even if you only sign with a third of them, those alone are going to keep you busy. Not to mention, after next Christmas you’ll be doing the Supercross season as well. You’re about to be slammed from January to August, my guy. We’ll be lucky to see you more than twice a month outside of the off season.” Rico drains the last of his drink before turning to head toward the back patio. “I’m gonna grab another beer.”
“What’s up with him?” I ask, my eyes still tracking Rico as he moves through the crowd.
“Nick.” JP sighs, pulling my attention to him. “Don’t think we aren’t happy for you because we are. We’re so fucking psyched. It’s just… not all of us have these big futures awaiting us.”
My brow furrows in confusion. “JP, your trust fund is worth just north of ten million. If you’re smart with your investments, you’re gonna be just fine.”
“It’s not about the money, Nick. Sure, financially Rico and I are set, but life’s not just about financial security. After we graduate, you get to spend your days doing something you genuinely enjoy. Rico and I? We’ve got a long life of ahead of us being slaves to whatever roles our fathers designate us in their businesses.”
“You could go to college,” I offer as an alternative. “Pave your own way.”
JP huffs a laugh, thumbing at his nose. “College? Bro, Rico isn’t trying to spend a single second longer in a classroom than he has to. You may have helped him with his dyslexia, but that shit’s still a struggle for him every single day. And me?” He shakes his head. “With how I’ve dicked around all through high school, my father would have to donate a fucking library to get me in somewhere.” He heads off in the direction of the kitchen, with me hot on his heels.
“So, you what? Just roll over and accept a future you despise?”
JP steps up to the large island in the center of the room, its marble countertop littered with liquor bottles. “Isn’t that part of growing up and being an adult? Dad will give me some corner office where I’ll put in sixty hours a week, and pray I’ll never have the misfortune of walking in on him while he’s bending his secretary over his desk like we all know he does. I’ll fuck my way through half the office until one of those girls traps my ass with some unplanned pregnancy. I’ll marry her, because unlike what everyone thinks, I’m not a total piece of shit, and we’ll play house for a few years. Eventually, we’ll grow tired of each other, she’ll start fucking our pool boy while I’ll let some over-eager secretary fuck me stupid in my office while I’m ‘working late’ and, oh, would you look at that? I’ve become my father. The circle of life has been fulfilled.” He selects the bottle of Johnny Walker, pouring a generous amount in the cup that previously held his beer.
“Or how about you skip out on this cautionary tale of upper-class entitlement and self-fulfilling mediocracy and instead do something you’d enjoy?”
“Like what?” He tosses back the amber-colored liquor, his lips curling back on a hiss.
“Like work for me.” The words are out before I’m able to give them any actual thought, though I don’t hate the idea.
“Doing what?” JP cocks a brow skeptically.
“As Rico pointed out, I’m about to be some pro hotshot racer. What do you wanna do?”
“Not mooch off you.”
“If you think I’d pay you to mooch, you’re out of your mind. Whatever we decide on, you’ll be earning your keep.”
JP goes quiet as he considers my offer. Before he has the opportunity to respond, two guys from our class trip over one another as they spill into the kitchen.
“Nicky!” One of them shouts. “Rico. Outside.”
“FIGHT!” The other screams, causing a surge of bodies to flock toward the back doors.
JP and I push through the crowd, shoving people out of our way as we rush toward the backyard where Rico’s curses can be heard.
“You disgusting piece of shit!”
Pushing through the final line of bodies off to the side of the property, JP and I stumble into the circle where we find Rico kicking the shit out of some kid. He’s older, and I don’t recognize him, but one scan of the passed-out chick in the lounger with the undone fly and it’s not hard to figure out what’s happening here.
I’m suddenly less concerned with stopping this ass-whooping and instead shift my efforts to preventing anyone else from getting involved. This motherfucker earned himself every single punch.
JP rushes to the girl where she lays unconscious. “Nick!”
I hurry over, pulling up her left lid with my thumb. “Shit.” Pressing my fingers to her neck, I curse again when I find her pulse much weaker than it should be. “She’s OD’ing. Call 911. Tell them we have an eighteen-year-old female, nonresponsive, possible sexual assault. Tell them she’s overdosing from opioids.”
I scoop her from the chair, cradling her to my chest as I sprint back to the house.
“How do you know opioids?” JP pulls his phone from his pocket, keeping pace beside me.
“Pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, slowed heartrate. And if I was a betting man, I’d say vomit’s about to make an appearance.” We breach the back door, and I shoulder through the crowd, heading straight for the dining room. “JP, table!”
He sprints ahead of me, phone cradled between his cheek and shoulder as he swipes the entire contents of the large dining table onto the floor. I carefully set her down, rolling her to her side just as she begins to puke up the contents of her stomach.
“It’s okay.” I brush back her hair while monitoring to make sure she doesn’t choke. “You’re gonna be okay. Hang in there for me.”
JP rattles off information to the emergency dispatcher, along with the address of the party. Chaos erupts as people realize cops are on the way. The group that had gathered around the table to gawk suddenly shove at one another in a break for the exits. Fucking parasites.
Minutes later the EMTs arrive, and I’m backing away to give them space just as Rico enters the kitchen. His fists are still clenched, sporting a set of split knuckles on his right hand. Rico looks past me, his expression softening when he spots the paramedics loading the girl up onto a stretcher.
“She gonna be okay?”
“I don’t know.” I clap him on the shoulder, watching as they wheel her toward the front door. “We can follow up, though. Okay?”
He nods, his body still taut with tension. Leaning in, I lower my voice so only he can hear. “Cops will be here any second. Maybe you should take off.”
“No,” he refuses. “That fucker’s unconscious outside. I’ll hang to give a statement. They wanna take me to the station? Fine by me. My father would be more upset if he found out someone assaulted a girl, and I did nothing.”
“Either of you recognize him?”
“Nah,” JP responds as Rico shakes his head. “But it’s getting worse, dude. This is like the third overdose we’ve had since summer. And that’s just the ones we know about from our school. Where the fuck is it all coming from?”
“It’s not just here. Turn on the news. The whole country is seeing an uptick in this shit. Just goes to show you, some things even we aren’t immune to.” I’ve been keeping tabs on this for over a year now in our area, and as far as I can tell it’s not coming from a single supplier. Queen City and its surrounding towns sit relatively close to I-95, which runs all the way from Florida to Maine. It’s one of the largest corridors for drug trafficking in the nation, allowing any junkie who wants to make a buck pedaling this garbage easy access to all kinds of product, no matter how shit quality it is.
Hydetown—best known for its abundance of poverty-stricken trailer parks—is by far suffering the worst of it. It’s no secret people are dropping like flies over there, but you won’t find anyone up in arms over it. No one in their ivory towers give a shit as long as it stays on that side of the tracks. I once heard one of our teachers refer to it as “the trash taking itself out.” It’s fucking anarchy.
There’s whispers though of some kid making moves to organize it all. Bishop, I think his name is? Honestly, depending on his intentions, it would probably be for the best. Having someone in charge establishes a chain of command. A chain of command forms a hierarchy, and hierarchies at least maintain some form of order.
If things keep going the way they are here, we’re not far off from needing the same.
The sound of sirens can be heard in the distance, and I pull out my phone to inform my dad he should probably wake up our lawyer. I’m just about to unlock it when my screen lights up with an incoming call.
Daph.
I swipe up, knowing that any call coming from a fifteen-year-old at 1 a.m. can’t be anything good.
“What’s up, little demon?”
“Nicky?” she sniffles, and the sound of her voice breaking on the other end sends a violent tremor throughout my body. Rico senses my panic, his concerned eyes locking with mine.
“Go. We got this.”
I bolt out the back with the phone still pressed to my ear. Rounding the house, I peek toward the front yard, waiting for the police to enter before I take off down the street.
“Daphne, what’s the matter?”
“N-Nick, I—” Her small voice trails off into a whimper, and it fucking guts me. “Something’s wr-wrong.”
“What do you mean? Where are you?”
“I t-took something and… I don’t f-feel so good. My heart… it’s b-beating so fast. I’m sh-shaking. And everything… it’s all bl-blurry.”
“Daphne.” My fingers thread through my hair, frantically tugging at the roots. “This is important, sweetheart.” The unusual term of endearment slips out in the midst of my hysteria. “I need you to listen to me, okay?”
“Mmmhmm.” She’s trying so hard not to cry.
“I need you to tell me where you are. Can you do that for me?”
“I—” She inhales a shaky breath, as though trying to gather her thoughts. “—I’m at D-Devon’s house. Devon Mont-montgomery.”
Montgomery graduated last year. He’s gotta be home for holiday break. “His parent’s place? Big white house with columns?”
“Y-yes.”
I glance around, quickly gaining my bearings before darting in the direction of their home. Montgomery’s house is only the next neighborhood over. I save time by cutting through the darkened woods that separate the communities.
“I’m coming, Daph. Hang in there.” Jesus, please don’t fucking OD.
A dull thudding sounds in the background on her end, followed by a gruff voice. “Daphhhh-neeeee,” the voice taunts, making my blood run cold. “What you doing in there, baby? I thought we were gonna have fun?”
“Daph, who the fuck is that?!”
Her breathing grows more erratic, and I can tell any tears she’s been fighting to hold back are now spilling free. “It’s Devon’s friend… Mark, I th-think? He’s the one who g-gave m-me the pill.”
I run faster, pushing my body harder than I ever have before as my vision clouds a homicidal shade of red. “Where are you in the house?”
“Devon’s bathroom. Upstairs.”
“Is the door locked?” I bust free of the wooded tree line, emerging in someone’s yard. I can see the Montgomery house up the street. I’m close enough to hear the music.
“Yes.”
“Good girl. I’m almost there.” I will my strides to be longer, my pace to be faster.
She cries harder now as the slow knocks continue on her end. “Nicky, I’m s-so s-sorry.”
“Shhhh,” I do my best to mask any panic my attempts to soothe her may hold. “You’re doing so good, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you. Just don’t open the door. Not ‘til you hear me on the other side, okay?”
I’m ascending the steps to the house, shoving my way past the small crowd of people that have congregated on the front porch.
“Conners!” One of them greets me, attempting to give me the pound. I bodycheck him out of the way, losing my phone in the process as I shoulder my way through the front door and bound up the stairs two at a time.
I leave no door untouched. I run from room to room, twisting each knob and kicking open the ones that are locked, my anxiety rising with every passing second. By the time I come to the last door, I don’t even bother to check if it’s unlocked. The heel of my boot connects with the wood, splintering both the door and the frame as it flies open. Racing in, I find the motherfucker I can only assume is Mark jiggling the ensuite handle as he tries to gain access to the locked room.
“What the fuck, man?!” he screams, scanning the mess I’ve made while eyeing me like I’m psychotic.
He should look at me that way, because right now, I am.
I charge him, catapulting myself over the bed before slamming into him with every ounce of force I can muster. I say nothing. Offer no explanation as I hammer him continuously with my fists. Each blow paints his face a deeper shade of red until eventually I can’t even tell where he’s bleeding from anymore.
I register screaming somewhere in the room, but it isn’t until several more seconds pass that I realize the screams are my own. I keep hitting him. Again and again. Unable to stop as my brain supplies a stream of endless horror-filled scenarios of what he could have done to her. What he undoubtedly would have done had Daph not called me.
Daph.
The thought suddenly sobers me, snapping me free from my murderous trance. Abandoning the pig beneath me, I scramble to the door where my bloodied palms slap against the white wood.
“Daph.” I sniff. “Daph, it’s me.”
“Nicky?” Her voice sounds so small… so scared.
“Yeah, baby girl. It’s me. Open the door.”
The click of the lock sounds on the other side before the door suddenly cracks, allowing one mascara-smudged tear-filled eye to peek through the slit. We stand frozen for a moment, staring at one another through that two-inch sliver of space.
My heart races. Realizing I’m the one who has to be strong in this situation, I scramble to maintain my composure.
Three things I can see.
Slowly, she opens the door, granting me a better look. She’s shaking, her skin slick with sweat as she clutches the frame for support. Her clothes, however, are intact, leading me to believe he wasn’t able to touch her.
Two things I can hear.
Her breaths coming all too quickly, broken only by the soft intermittent whimpers escaping her.
One thing I can touch.
Reaching out, I press my hand to her cheek and find her burning up. Daphne gasps, her eyes closing as she leans into my touch.
X. If I had to put my life on it, I’d say the motherfucker gave her ecstasy.
I’ve never done drugs, but the signs are easy enough to spot. I drink, but I know my limit. Substances are a whole different ballgame. Aside from the risk it could pose to my standings as an athlete, I don’t see the appeal in willingly surrendering your control.
Her lids snap open, leaving her staring up at me with wide, awestruck eyes.
She’s gotta be rolling right now.
Daph swallows, the gesture suddenly causing me to worry about dehydration. Stepping around her, I make my way to the sink where I turn on the faucet.
“Daph, come here.”
She approaches, all the while keeping her gaze trained on my face.
“Bend down. I need you to drink some water. Gimme three big sips. Then we’re going home.”
She obliges, bringing her lips to the cool steady stream beneath the tap and taking far more than three gulps. Her hair falls along the side of her neck, prompting me to reach out and catch the stray locks, pushing them away from her face. The motion has my focus shifting to my hands, which I now realize are covered in blood.
Risking a glance in the mirror beside me, I’m met with a reflection that most would consider terrifying. Mark’s blood lashes across my skin in broad strokes. Certain sections are smeared, making me look downright deranged. I can’t tear my eyes away from the gruesome sight, all the while plagued with a single unsettling thought…
I’ve shown more of my true self in the last five minutes than I have in the last seventeen years of my life.
A slender hand comes into view, the clean unsullied skin of her palm pressing against my blood-spattered cheek, guiding my attention back to her. Daphne looks to me, slowly taking in my full appearance, yet her face bears no hints of fear.
For the first time in my life, I feel seen.
“You picked up,” she whispers softly into the quiet space between us.
My hand travels up to cover hers. Linking our fingers, I give her a gentle squeeze. “I’ll always pick up.”
***
“Here.” I hold back the blankets of J’s unoccupied bed, allowing a freshly showered Daphne to climb in. It’s been several hours since she ingested the X; her fever now gone. Though she’s still a little loopy, I think it’s safe to say we’re past the worst of it.
Daph slips under the covers, allowing me to tuck her in. Crouching down beside the bed, I pull an unopened water bottle from the pocket of my sweatpants, along with her cell, and place them both on the nightstand.
“Thank you for tonight.”
I snort, shaking my head at her. “Let’s not make it a routine, all right?”
“Deal.” She yawns, pulling the comforter up under her chin.
“I’m not fucking around, Daph.” My tone turns serious. “I need you to promise me no more drugs. I can’t have you doing this shit. Especially not if you’re around Baby J.”
She frowns, a tear slipping from the corner of her eye. “Please don’t take her from me.”
“Promise. Me.”
“I promise.” A few more tears slip free. “Never again, Nicky. I swear.”
“Good.” I relax a bit, rocking back onto my heels. “What were you even doing there, Daph?”
“Some people invited me. Said we could celebrate my birthday.”
“We celebrated your birthday last week, remember? Us, your family. That’s all the celebrating you need.”
She nods her agreement, swiping away any remaining moisture on her cheeks, and I decide to move on. No reason to beat a dead horse. Daph promised she’s done with this shit, and though she’s many things, she’s not a liar.
“Hey.” I switch gears. “Speaking of birthdays, what was your unicorn wish this year?”
“My unicorn wish?” Tiny creases form between her brows.
“Yeah, do you not do that anymore?”
“No, I definitely do.” Her cheeks tinge pink with embarrassment. “How do you know about that, though?”
“You told me once, remember? At Mom’s funeral.”
“I… I can’t believe you remember that.”
“It was kind of a weird statement.” I laugh. “Makes it a bit hard to forget. So? Let’s hear it.”
“I can’t tell you.” She giggles. “It won’t come true!”
“All right, fine. How about the runner-up wishes that didn’t make the cut? Can I have one of those?”
Her eyes narrow, lips pursing as she feigns annoyance. “I suppose.”
“Nice.” I drop my chin atop my folded arms.
“Sometimes I wish I would have been born to your parents—”
The tightening sensation in my chest returns, and I realize that even with my mom’s death, I am incredibly fortunate. I was lucky enough to get two awesome moms in my lifetime. Daph couldn’t even get one.
“But then,” she continues, “I remember I’d be related to you, so I pick something else.”
“Wow, demon!” I chuckle, poking her in her side. “I’m that bad, huh?”
“No.” Daph shakes her head, her doe eyes morphing to hold a hint of sadness. “You’re not. That’s the problem.”
I feel my brow twist in confusion. I’m just about to ask her what she means when another long yawn interrupts our conversation. She’s gotta be exhausted. Time to wrap this up. Rising to my feet, I tap the water bottle beside me.
“Remember, hydrate. I’ll check on you in an hour.”
“Aye aye, captain.” She turns over, snuggling into one of the nine thousand pillows my sister has in her bed.
Flipping off the light, I spare a final glance before I shut the door and head down to the kitchen.
“I cannot believe we are still awake.” JP drops his head in his hands as I enter.
“Eh. Those showers were much needed. What time is it, anyway?” Rico scrubs a hand over his face before forcing his eyes wide.
“4 a.m.,” I respond, pulling a water bottle from the fridge and coming to stand across from them. “Everything went okay with the cops?”
“Yeah.” Rico nods. “A few people hung back with us to give statements. They backed me. He got arrested.”
“And I—” JP interjects, “—was able to grab one of her friend’s numbers. They updated me an hour ago. Girl’s gonna be just fine.”
“Good.”
“How’s Daph?” Rico looks toward the stairs.
“She’s okay.” Memories of that fucking prick trying to get into the bathroom flash in my mind, and I swallow against the bile in my throat. “She almost wasn’t, though.”
“And you?” His brow arches. “You looked worse than I did walking in here. We have to worry about anything?”
“No. I grabbed Devon on the way out. Told him what happened. His father’s got his whole future mapped out with law school and eyes on an eventual Supreme Court seat. He’s not trying to be caught up in some drug scandal involving an underage girl. His pops is gonna bury this so deep you’d need a damn archeological crew to unearth it.”
JP leans back in his chair, his hands locking behind his head as he expels a breath. “Tonight was too close for comfort, dude. We got lucky that you were able to get to her in time. This drug shit is out of control.”
“About that…” My words trail off, causing JP and Rico look to me expectantly as I carefully consider what I’m about to say next. “JP, do you remember earlier when I talked about us working together?”
“I’m not shining your boots, Nick.” He laughs, kicking his feet up onto the chair beside him.
I don’t smile, the seriousness of my expression tampering the humor in his response.
“Nick.” Rico leans forward, his elbows resting against the marble countertop. “What’s going on?”
Squaring my shoulders, I take a steadying breath. “I’m going to propose something that is going to sound absolutely insane. Just hear me out, and in the end, I only ask two things. The first being that if we decide not to do this, we never speak of it again.”
“And the second?” asks JP.
“If we decide to move forward and something happens to me, promise you’ll watch out for Joanna and Daph. I need to know you two will keep them safe. Always.”