AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No problem, you look like crap, you know.”
“Bubba looks worse.” But I said that lower and didn’t brag. As if she sensed the comment, Mom glanced at me. “I’m so getting my ass kicked.”
“Yeah, I love you like a brother. But you are on your own with your mom.”
I laughed. Fuck that hurt. But damn, that was funny. “Yeah, I get it. If you talk to her before I can, tell her I’ll call as soon as possible, and that I’m fine.”
Arch gave me a skeptical look. “You do not look fine.”
“Then tell her I said I was fine.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yup.”
We were in the parking lot when Mom wheeled around. “Jacob Elijah Benton.”
Fuck, she trotted out all three names.
“What the hell were you thinking?”
“Alicia—”
“Don’t,” Mom said to Joe, and he raised his hands. “This time, Jacob answers me. What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking Bubba was being an asshole.”
She sighed, and Joe looked pained.
“I get that I…I probably shouldn’t have punched him.” Damn it had felt good. “But after that—we had some issues that needed to be worked out.”
Joe’s eyebrows climbed to his hairline, but he didn’t comment.
“He’s your friend, Jake,” Mom said, easing back on my name. “Your friend. And you both do…” She waved her hand up and down at me. “This.”
“Looks a lot worse than it feels.” Total lie, but I’d given Mom enough grief. “I’m sorry they called you and had to drag you down here.”
“And?” She stared at me.
“And I’m sorry I started a fight.” Not really, but again, it was what she needed to hear. “Am I suspended?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted, and glanced at Joe.
He shook his head. “I don’t know either. You’re going to have to talk to Diane tomorrow, in all likelihood, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they suspend you. I’m more worried about the team.”
I didn’t give two flying fucks about the team. Which was weird. I used to love it, but it was because it was fun and I was competitive, but right now, it seemed more a burden than anything. I didn’t need it.
“Well, Coach already has me riding a bench.”
Mom rubbed her face. “You know I should ground you.”
“Okay.” I’d hate it, but again, she had enough grief from me.
“Why are you being so agreeable?”
“Because I already pissed on your day, Mom,” I told her. “You didn’t deserve this, and it’s not your fault. So if you need to ground me, I’ll do it. If the school needs to suspend me, I’ll suck it up.” If I have to miss Frankie, I’d talk to her on the phone every second I got. Maybe she could come over.
“Mrs. Benton?” Archie said, and Mom focused on him. “I know it’s none of my business. But—we fight. The four of us. The five of us, really. We have arguments and disagreements. Sometimes they get heated. This one just got a little rowdy.”
“Rowdy,” Mom said. “That’s a word for it.”
