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“It’s just one game, Cade. It doesn’t count towards the championship, so it won’t hurt your ranking. But it will save our dad’s life.”
Looking back to him, I want to end his life myself. “No. Let the fucker die. He made the choice.”
“It’s not that simple.” Dad’s eyes won’t meet mine, but the pity in his tone makes me cringe.
“Sounds really fucking simple to me. You made an illegal deal on a high school game. You accept the end result.”
“I tried to back out. Tell them I’d find another way.” Dad turns his pitiful look to me. “They wouldn’t let me. They know you play for Saint Juliet and Dustin teaches here. They said one of my sons will lose tonight. It was up to you to decide.”
“Up to me?” I yell.
Dustin moves between me and Dad as I walk towards him. “Cade, it’s already done. All we can do is get through this and try not to get crushed in the process.” Dustin glances back at our father. “It was a mistake. We all make them. But Dad will get help. It was the only way I’d bring you into this. We will get through this and be done.”
“He’s lying. Dirty fucking politics is the only thing he knows.” And the reason our family lost everything when his corruption was discovered. Obviously, he didn’t learn his lesson. The motherfucker is the problem and will never change.
“I will get help, Cade. You have my word.”
There’s a knock on the door, and Dustin stiffly moves to it, opening it as Neil rushes in. “Coach’s looking for you. The pep rally started.”
I was aware of my phone steadily vibrating, and now I figure it was them asking where I was since I’m required to attend the stupid fucking pep rally. It’s another instance of another motherfucker pulling my strings.
When I look at my dad, it takes everything I have not to charge at him and beat the ever-loving fuck out of him. “Your word doesn’t mean shit to me.”
Just before I walk out of the classroom, Dustin calls my name. “Please, Cade. For me.”
It’s him or me. If I don’t lose the game, they’ll beat him or do something even worse all because of our bastard father. But right now, my anger is directed towards Dustin for allowing this disease back in his life. “I warned you. I told you he was a piece of shit. But you welcomed him with open arms. And look where that’s gotten us.” Because even though I had no say-so in my brother allowing him back in, I’m right in the fucking middle of it all.
28
MORGAN
I slide into the booth with Cade right beside me. Or more like Zombie Cade. Did he take my Lenny zombie joke too seriously? Fuck, I don’t know. But he’s been off since he appeared next to Dad during the pep rally.
Luckily, that dreadful event is over now, and we can eat while we wait for the stupid game tonight, which Neil and Topher are discussing at length, trying to pull Cade into it with a few questions about their offensive strategy.
“We won’t even need it, right, Cade?” Neil beams. Even I know the Bulldogs are no matchup for Saint Juliet; it’s nothing but a filler game. Though I feel like they’re all fillers, because who the fuck cares about any of them.
Cade for one doesn’t as he gives a mumbled, “Right.”
“What the hell is up with you?” I’m the grouchy bitch in this relationship, not him.
“Nothing.”
“Ah. Vague and lying,” I laugh, taking a sip of my sweet tea that the waitress places in front of me. She gives everyone their drinks and says she’ll be back to take our order in a few.
“You should know.” Cade’s grouchy tone is less mumbled and quite clear as he avoids looking at me.
“Seriously, what the fuck is your problem?”
“Yes. Because only the queen is allowed to be in a bitchy mood.”
“Pretty much.” I shrug my shoulders and take another sip of my drink. Neil looks over to Cade as he asks, “Are you good?”
Cade only nods his head. Whatever. I don’t have time to play the guessing game and no one else pays the silent grouch any mind as we eat. Thankfully, someone changes the subject, and talk turns to something other than strategy of throwing a damn pigskin around.
Before we’re finished, Cade throws a couple bills on the table then walks out without a word. Neil is aware of his little stomping off fit and follows Cade. But if he thinks I’m going to chase after him, he has another thing coming. I make a point to sit and enjoy the few remaining fries that I have left. Ava moves to my side of the booth and whispers, “We really need to talk.”
“Doubt it.” She isn’t still actively going after my dad, and we’re not friends. I see no need.
