“Keep going straight.”
Rick slowed his truck as the turn neared. “Isn’t that your neighborhood?”
“You do know where I live.” She giggled. “Have you been watching me?”
Rick shook his head and turned into the neighborhood of trailers and old ramblers.
“I’ll tell you where I live, but I bet you know,” Ashlee said, grinning.
Rick stopped the truck. “You can walk from here.”
She flicked her tongue off the roof of her mouth. “Oh, come on. I’m just joking. So serious. Take the second left.”
Rick drove and turned at the second left.
“You can drop me off up here,” Ashlee said, pointing at a dark and deserted playground.
Rick stopped at the playground. “You sure?”
She turned to him and put her hand on his leg.
Rick immediately opened his door and stepped from the truck. “Go home, Ashlee.”
She slid over and exited from the same door as Rick. “So touchy.” As she stepped past him, she mouthed a kiss. “Bye, Rick.”
CHAPTER 28
Janet and Trust But Verify
Janet sat at her kitchen table, having her morning coffee, her laptop open in front of her, and her phone face up. Shane was at films after last night’s big win against the Lancaster Indians. She perused the West Lake Watchdog Facebook page.
West Lake Watchdog
September 16 at 6:34 PM
I’m tired of Principal Pruitt making all that money and not doing nothing. I heard he ain’t done nothing for ten years. He needs to retire. He can retire now but he don’t want to because he gets more money if he waits. Always about money. Hes trying to steal taxpayer money. We work to dam hard for what we got. #RetirePruitt
7 Likes 2 Shares
Janine Thompson He makes like 140K. It’s ridiculous. The property taxes go up every year. This is why. People around here aren’t rich. Something has to change. #RetirePruitt 4 Likes
Rose Hendricks I totally agree, Janine Thompson. These people are out of control. They’re going to bankrupt the district. What the heck is the school board doing about it? Nothing like usual. They are all in it together. 2 Likes
West Lake Watchdog
September 16 at 11:57 PM
The football team needs a better coach. Rick Barnett is a loser. They barely beet Lancaster and there BAD. I heard they should a won by like 50 points. #FireBarnett
10 Likes 3 Shares
Roger Elkins More like 100 points. The play calling is so bad. He almost lost the Cumberland game with that stupid pass at the end that got intercepted. Everyone knows you have to run it to get time off the clock. SO STUPID. He’s lucky the defense stepped up. That’s the kids and their talent. Barnett is getting in the way. The team has a ton of talent but Barnett is gonna blow it. He will probably lose the first round of the playoffs. They need to make a change. #FireBarnett 6 Likes
Will Gilroy Damn right Roger. 1 Like
Janet picked up her cell phone and tapped her Cliff Osborn contact. He answered on the fourth ring.
“Good morning, Janet,” Cliff said. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“The community’s pretty upset at Don. They want him to retire.”
Cliff sighed. “It’s Saturday, Janet. Don’t you take a day off?”
“They want him gone now,” Janet replied, ignoring his question.
“They’ll have to wait.”
“Have you seen this new Facebook page, the West Lake Watchdog?” Janet asked.
“I’m not on Facebook.”
“Well, everyone else is. Lots of people want him gone. They know he doesn’t do anything, that he’s just sticking around to pad his retirement. They’re also saying that the school board’s not doing anything about it.”
“I wonder where they’re getting their information?”
“It’s not me. I have no idea who’s behind the page. It’s common knowledge that Don’s lazy. Teachers and kids see him reading magazines during school hours. People aren’t dumb.”
“Well, they can bitch all they want. The board still has a majority in favor of Pruitt. You gotta get Pastor Goode or Daub’s seat in November.”
“You could help me with that. I know you have dirt.”
“I might, but we’ve been through this, and you weren’t interested in my offer.”
Janet exhaled. “Don’t you care about the school? The kids? They deserve better.”
“It’s not that simple. You’re a big girl. You know that. How would it look if the president of the school board got caught spreading gossip about another board member?”
“Nobody would find out.”
“These things have a way of coming out,” he said. “I’d have to trust you.”
“You can trust me, Cliff. Our boys are best friends.”
“Ronald Reagan said, ‘Trust but verify.’ I gotta verify.”
“And how will you do that? By fucking me in some seedy hotel?”
The line was silent.
“Cliff?”
“I’m gonna get back to my Saturday.” He disconnected the call.
Janet set down her phone, thinking about how far she’d have to go to win. She heard the roar of an engine approaching, followed by the screech of tires. Janet went to the window and parted the blinds. It was Shane. Why is he back so early? Janet walked toward the front door, her slippers snapping with each step. Shane entered and slammed the door behind him. His face was red. His eyes were puffy, as if he’d been crying.
“What’s wrong?” Janet asked.
“Fuckin’ Coach Barnett benched me!”
CHAPTER 29
Gwen and Letting Go
“Brian? Are you there?” Gwen asked, sitting at her kitchen table, her cell phone to her ear.
“I’m here,” Brian said. “What are you doing, Gwen? We talked about this.”
“I know. I just wanted to talk to you.”
“You need a clean break.”
“Don’t tell me what I need.”
“I need a clean break then.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“I filed the papers. Ira thinks the divorce should go through by Christmas.”
Gwen frowned. “What a great present. I can’t wait.”
Brian ignored her sarcasm. “I’ve had this recurring dream for the past few weeks. I finally get out of prison, and I visit you. You’re remarried, with two kids in college, and I’m happy for you.”
She pursed her lips. “I’m not interested in dating, much less marrying someone.”
“You’re hanging on to us. You’re not open to anyone else. That’s the problem. … I’m taking you off my approved list. I can’t keep doing this.”
Tears welled in Gwen’s eyes. “You don’t even want to talk to me?”
“That’s not the point.” Brian exhaled. “I wish like hell I could go back in time and protect you like I should’ve. I should’ve been there.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“I couldn’t undo what had already been done.”
“Nobody could.” She wiped her eyes with the side of her index finger.
“What if we got into a car crash, and you were wedged in the car, and it was gonna blow up?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Listen to me for a minute. We’re in this car crash, and gasoline’s spilling all around us, and the car’s gonna blow up, but you’re wedged in the car, and you can’t get out. I try and try to get you out, but you won’t budge. If I stay, I’ll die when the car blows up. Would you want me to stay and die with you?”
“I know where you’re going with this.”
“Answer the question.”
Gwen closed her eyes for a moment. “No. I’d want you to live.”
“I want you to live, Gwen.”
CHAPTER 30
Caleb and the Hangover
Sunlight streamed through Caleb’s bedroom window. His eyes fluttered. He moved his
tongue, his mouth bone-dry. His head pounded; his stomach lurched. Caleb removed the comforter from his body and struggled out of bed. He nearly fell, the room spinning. He staggered to the bathroom, his stomach hot, his gag reflex twitching. Caleb dropped to his knees in front of the bowl and vomited, his throat burning from the bile. He spit in the toilet, thinking it was over, but another wave washed over him, his stomach convulsing, and the hot sick splashing into the water. Caleb slumped to the tile, laying on his side, breathless, a cold sweat on his skin.
I can’t even fucking kill myself.
A few minutes later, he washed out his mouth and brushed his teeth. His head still pounded, and his muscles ached, even though he hadn’t even stepped on the football field last night. His only exercise had been the walk home from the locker room. Caleb leaned on the sink and looked at his pale face in the mirror. I need to get a gun.
Caleb shuffled down the hall to the kitchen. Beyond the kitchen, Ashlee sat on the couch in the living room, alternately watching reality TV and thumb-scrolling on her phone. Caleb grabbed a plastic cup from the cupboard—a leftover from a McDonald’s promotion—and filled it with water. He took a tentative swig, then another.
Ashlee looked up from her phone. “What the hell happened to you?”
“I’m sick,” Caleb replied.
“Stay away from me.”
“Who said I wanna go anywhere near you?”
“Just stay away from me, germ boy.”
“Whatever.”
Heather’s Grand Am parked under the carport, the raspy exhaust from the hole in the muffler announcing her presence. Their mother pushed inside, her hair caked in hairspray, one side still springy, the other side matted and disheveled. She wore a short skirt, bare legs, and high heels.
“Walk of shame,” Ashlee said with a cackle.
Heather glared at her daughter. “I really don’t wanna hear your shit right now, Ashlee.” Bleary-eyed Heather walked past, ignoring Caleb, and headed for her bedroom.
Ashlee returned her attention to Caleb. “Have you seen this Facebook page?” Ashlee motioned to her phone with her eyes. “The West Lake Watchdog?”
“No.”
Heather reappeared from the hall.
“It’s so funny,” Ashlee said. “Someone fucking hates your coach.”
“So?” Caleb said.
“What are you talking about?” Heather asked, sounding more interested than angry.
“The West Lake Watchdog,” Ashlee replied. “It’s a Facebook page that’s always talking shit about Coach Barnett.”
Heather stood up straight. “Well, it’s good somebody’s puttin’ that asshole in his place.”
“I thought you liked Coach Barnett?” Caleb asked.
“I heard some pretty bad things about him.”
“Like what?” Ashlee asked, her eyes narrowed at Heather.
“Like some of the things on that Facebook page.”
Ashlee leaned back on the couch and stretched her arms over her head. “I don’t know. Seems kinda like bullshit.”
Heather glowered at her daughter. “He’s a liar and a loser.”
Ashlee dropped her arms and grinned, a twinkle in her eyes.
CHAPTER 31
Rick and the Crush
Rick slowed the video, examining the blocking scheme of their upcoming opponent. He sat in his home office, his eyes glued to his laptop, charting tendencies and looking for weaknesses to exploit. He had already found plenty. Their wide receivers only sprinted when it was a passing play, barely blocking on running plays. The receivers would make great run/pass reads for the Wolf Pack secondary. Their center dipped his head right before the snap. That tell would give the Wolf Pack defensive line a split-second advantage.
His phone buzzed. He glanced at the time on his computer—8:31 p.m. Rick blew out a breath, knowing that a Saturday night text likely meant that Heather had found a new phone to harass him with, or one of his players was in trouble. He checked the text.
Ashlee: I know a secret about u.
Rick rubbed his temples and went back to the game film. His phone buzzed again.
Ashlee: I talked to my mom about u. Wanna know what she said?
A minute later, his phone buzzed again.
Ashlee: She said u r a liar and a loser. She HATES u. I think she’s the WL Watchdog. What did u do to her? U were fing her weren’t you? Then u broke up with her, didn’t u? Hahahaha
Rick ran his hand over his face. Another buzz came from his phone.
Ashlee: The younger hotter version
Attached to the text was a picture of Ashlee standing in front of a mirror, nude, her cell phone in hand, her long dark hair snaking around her breasts. Rick deleted the picture and blocked Ashlee’s number.
CHAPTER 32
Janet and Second String
Janet sat in her office, scrolling through Rick’s background check. Apart from his divorce, there was nothing. The bell rang. She left her office for Rick’s classroom. It was his planning period.
She knocked on his door, opened it, and entered without invitation. Rick looked up from his laptop as Janet approached his desk.
“What can I do for you, Janet?” Rick asked, still sitting at his desk.
Janet stood in front of him. “We need to talk about Shane.”
“What about?”
“Why did you bench my son?”
“Because Jamar’s a better quarterback. I think he gives us a better chance to win.”
“Shane’s done everything you’ve asked of him. He doesn’t deserve this. This is his senior year. Jamar’s only a sophomore.”
Rick took a deep breath. “I don’t play favorites. The best kids play, period.”
“What if Shane agrees to stay after practice and do extra work?”
“He can do that if he wants. It’ll help his chances, but I doubt it’ll be enough. Jamar’s gonna get his chance. If he fails or gets injured, Shane’ll get another shot, but, at this point, it’s Jamar’s job to lose.”
Janet paused for a moment, poker-faced. “I’m a very powerful ally.”
“I hope we can stay professional, but I won’t compromise on this.”
She glowered at Rick. “I’m a more powerful enemy.”
Rick nodded, unblinking. “Do what you have to do.”
Janet turned on her heels and marched back to her office. Who the fuck does he think he is?
Sitting at her desk, she picked up the desktop phone and called Coach Bob Schneider’s classroom.
“I need you to come to my office,” Janet said.
“I have a class,” Bob replied.
“I don’t care. Find someone to cover for you.” Janet slammed down the receiver.
A few minutes later, Bob knocked on her office door.
“Come in,” Janet said.
Bob Schneider entered her office, his head tilted down, like a whipped puppy. His button-down shirt was tucked in, accentuating his gut.
“Shut the door,” Janet said. “Sit down.”
Bob shut the door and sat across from her at the desk.
“Why is my son being benched after a convincing win?”
“It’s not my fault,” he said. “I told Rick it was a bad idea.”
“It is a bad idea,” Janet said.
“If it were up to me, Shane would start.”
“You will find a way to make sure my son starts this Friday.”
He held out his thick hands. “It’s really not my call. There’s nothin’ I can do about it.”
Janet pursed her lips. “Well, there’s nothing I can do about your job then. Watching pornography on your school computer is grounds for immediate dismissal.”
His eyes widened, and his face reddened under his bushy beard. “Maybe I can talk some sense to Rick.”
“That’s the spirit.”
CHAPTER 33
Gwen and the Big Dumb Football Coach
Gwen sat at her desk, correcting personal narratives, and adding smileys and no
tes of encouragement. Many of the boys had written about their exploits on the football field, baseball diamond, or basketball court. Jamar had written about being the only black kid on the football team. Aaron Fuller had written about his older brother Drew. Apparently, Drew had looked out for his kid brother more than their mother. Many of the girls had written about body image and family issues. Ashlee had written an especially moving essay about her absent father. The Miles’s siblings certainly had talent. Caleb had written the best personal narrative in her sixth-period creative writing class, and Ashlee’s essay was head and shoulders above everyone in her second-period class.
Rick Barnett poked his head into her classroom. “I’m going to Subway to grab dinner. You wanna go?”
Gwen glanced at the stack of personal narratives on her desk. “No, but thanks. I do need to talk to you though, if you have a few minutes.”
Rick approached her desk, wearing khakis and a button-down shirt. “Sure. What’s up?”
“I heard you guys won on Friday. Congratulations.”
“We didn’t play very well.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t easy without your quarterback.”
Rick furrowed his brows. “What are you talking about?”
“I wrote up Shane last Friday for bullying. I know he was ineligible—”
“Shane wasn’t ineligible. Nobody told me that he was written up.”
“I talked to Janet about it, and I put the form in her box.”
Rick shook his head. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“What?”
“Janet buried it. She’s been enabling Shane for as long as I can remember.”
“I’ll go to Pruitt tomorrow then. I’m sorry, but you may be without a quarterback this week.”
“I wouldn’t bother.”
“Why not?”
“Because Pruitt’s soft on crime. And Shane won’t be playing this week anyway.”
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