Secrets Return (Leftover Girl Book 2)

by C. C. Bolick

  “Who abused her?” I asked.

  “Her step-dad.” Bailey said.

  I looked at Pade. “Why would she call you?”

  Pade shrugged. “I guess she didn’t have anyone else to call. I drove to Credence and picked up Tosh and her mom at a gas station across town. I dropped them off with Tosh’s grandmother and then went straight back to the hospital. They’ve been staying in a trailer on the road next to Angel’s since August. No one else knows.”

  Bailey snickered. “No one knew until three days ago.”

  Pade rolled his eyes. “On Wednesday, I walked Tosh to class after lunch. She told me her mom was asking too many questions about what she told the police. Her mom might even move them back to his house. That’s when I asked her if it really happened.”

  “And?” I asked, not sure if I wanted to hear the answer.

  “That’s when she told me she’s pregnant.”

  “It gets worse,” Bailey added.

  “You know nothing stays a secret for long at Credence High.” Pade cleared his throat. “Terrance overheard us talking. He heard Tosh say she was pregnant. Then he said some stuff about Tosh I won’t repeat, except for the part when he said no one would claim her baby. If she even knew who it belonged to.”

  “And you should’ve kept your mouth shut, Pade Sanders,” Bailey said.

  “I know,” he grumbled. “But Terrance has it out for me. You know he wouldn’t let it go. When he looked at me and asked, ‘Would you?’, I couldn’t think of anything else to say but ‘yes’.”

  “Which was stupid,” Bailey said. “By the end of fourth block, everyone was talking.”

  “Someone told Aunt Rainey,” he said. “Before we got home, she’d already called Mom, and Mom had already called Dad about the ‘baby’.”

  “Why didn’t you tell your mom the truth?” I asked.

  “Because it pissed me off that she didn’t bother asking me before calling Dad. So, I didn’t bother correcting her.”

  “Another stupid move.” Bailey rose and disappeared into the kitchen.

  “I’m sorry,” he said.

  I shook my head. “This is a mess.”

  “Dad freaked out and took the first flight in. Mom had to work this morning. She insisted we pick him up at the airport.”

  I took a sip of the ice-filled drink in my hand, which had numbed my fingers. “You guys are both going?”

  “Pade has to drive,” Bailey said, returning with a bag of chips. “You know I can’t drive a stick. I also can’t leave him alone with Dad. They might kill each other.”

  “Can I go?”

  Pade looked at me. “The airport is an hour away. I don’t think your parents would like that idea.”

  Not if they didn’t know. “Mom took the boys shopping—she’ll probably be gone most of the day. Dad’s asleep.”

  “Still?” Bailey asked.

  I took a long sip and chewed a piece of ice before answering. “I think he’s sick again.”

  Pade stared at me. “Has the cancer come back?”

  “I’m not sure, but I’m scared.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said, wrapping an arm around me. “He’s a fighter, Jes. Uncle Justin proved that last time.”

  “Is there anything I can do?” Bailey asked.

  “Other than get me away from here? I don’t want to be alone.”

  Bailey rubbed my arm. “You don’t want to be near our dad either.”

  “I’ll take my chances.”

  Pade grabbed the keys from the table. “Then let’s ride.”

  * * * * *

  I scribbled a note for Dad and pinned it to the cork-board on the fridge. Hopefully we’d be back before he or Mom ever saw it.

  We rode in silence, until the green signs came into view, guiding us onto the interstate.

  “Last chance,” Pade said.

  “Are you going to tell him the truth?” I asked.

  “He wouldn’t believe me. This isn’t about Tosh.”

  Dark clouds loomed above us. I felt glad Pade had installed the top. He stared ahead for miles, but he finally took his hand off the shifter and laid it on mine.

  “Last year, I treated you bad. Worse than bad, I treated you like a pile of crap on the bottom of my shoe. It was all about me, and worst of all, I never stopped to think how you really felt. I just assumed you’d fall for me, like any other girl. Now I see you’re the only one who was honest.”

  I opened my mouth, but he squeezed my hand.

  “I’m so ashamed. I finally realized I treated you like my father has treated my mother all of these years. He comes and goes, but doesn’t seem to care that she cries when he’s gone.”

  “We heard her, one night,” Bailey said, “outside her bedroom door.”

  Pade nodded. “I was popular and girls wanted to date me, but none of them mattered, and then you came to Credence. You hated me at first, I could tell. I made up my mind to win you over.

  “But in the end, you turned me down. I’d never felt like the world had ended. Suddenly it didn’t matter what my dad said or did—all that mattered was I couldn’t have you. When he told me you were sick, I packed my bags. No way could I stay there and let something bad…” He balled his fist. “I agreed to his demands. I promised not to play football anymore.”

  My voice felt like it belonged to someone else. “But you love football.”

  “When Dad asked, I didn’t hesitate. He thought I just wanted to go back to Credence, to Mom. He didn’t know it was all for you.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  He stilled. “You’re beautiful.”

  I tugged at the brown mess around my shoulders. “I’m ordinary.”

  “No,” he said, sneaking a glance at my eyes, as if willing me to believe. “You don’t understand. I’m not saying you’re pretty—”

  “Thanks a lot,” I said.

  He shook his head and placed a finger on my lips. “You’re smart. You care about everything. You make my heart race when you touch my arm. Beautiful doesn’t begin to describe who you really are.”

  I swallowed, stunned by his words. “I don’t know who I am. I’m scared of my past, of not knowing what will happen if anyone finds out.”

  “Don’t be scared,” Bailey said. “You’ve got Pade and you’ve also got me. We’ll take care of you, no matter what.”

  “But I sent you away,” I said.

  He grasped my hand again, bringing it to his lips. “Because you cared. I know that now.”

  “You don’t understand.” I pulled away. “I didn’t want to ruin you like I ruined everyone else who loved me.”

  Pade laughed. “I was ruined the moment we kissed but not in the way you think. You changed everything.”

  I faced the window, unable to look at him. It was more than I’d ever hoped to hear him say. And he didn’t just say the words to me—he said them in front of Bailey. A tear trickled down my cheek and I wiped it away. “What will everyone at school say?”

  “I only care what you say. Did you know someone has been putting hate mail in my locker? People make snarky comments in the hall. No one looks at me—all that matters is I won’t play football and Credence doesn’t have a chance at making state finals. So much for having friends. Where are they now?”

  The jeep was silent until we pulled into the terminal.

  “There he is,” Bailey said.

  Pade maneuvered the jeep next to the sidewalk, stopping in front of a man wearing a gray suit and a wide-brimmed hat. He turned off the jeep and climbed out, reaching for one of the man’s bags.

  I squinted in the sunlight, which had cut through the clouds only moments before we reached the terminal. Was he the same man I’d seen in Pade’s yard the night he left Credence? I rolled down the window to get a better look.

  The man approached, in no hurry. He removed his sunglasses, inspected me for a full minute, and then laughed. “So, this is the girl you knocked up?”

  “Dad, I…” Pade stuttered.


  “Son, you have no idea what lies ahead. If you had even an inkling about the real world, you would not be standing in front of me with this girl.”

  “Dad…”

  “Pade, what were you thinking? Having a child now is not an option.” Mr. Sanders turned to me. “How much do you want?”

  “What?” I couldn’t believe his words.

  “How much money will it take for you to leave my son alone?”

  “Dad!” Pade said. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

  The man in front of us laughed again. He turned to Pade. “I know you hate me, but you will respect me. You have so much to learn about the opposite sex. I will make your problems go away, but only this time.”

  “Dad,” Bailey said, moaning from the backseat. “Pade has problems, but Jes isn’t one of them.”

  The shift in Mr. Sanders’ face was truly a spectacle. He looked me over again, this time taking in crucial details. When he next spoke, his voice was low and without an ounce of arrogance. “Jessica Delaney?”

  “Yes,” I said, despite the lump in my throat.

  He tugged on his collar and turned to Pade. “Does Justin or Lorraine know she’s here?”

  “Not exactly,” Pade said. “Jes left a note, but Uncle Justin was asleep when we left. Aunt Rainey took the boys shopping, but we’ll probably be back before they are.”

  “We should go,” Mr. Sanders said and scurried around the jeep. He lifted one of his bags into the back.

  Pade carried the other bag, mumbling as he circled the jeep. I climbed into the backseat next to Bailey.

  “You don’t have to,” Mr. Sanders said and motioned for me to remain in the front seat, but I didn’t move. He opened the door and pulled himself into the passenger seat. “My dear, I am truly sorry for the way I treated you.” He turned around to face me. “I’m even sorrier you had to see our exchange.”

  I stared at the man who’d transformed from overbearing parent to somber and repentant inside of ten minutes. Someone needed to tell him the truth about Tosh, but I didn’t know how to start. “Pade is a good person.”

  Mr. Sanders nodded. “I’m happy you still think so. His mother and I have very nearly reached our limit.”

  Pade didn’t look at his dad as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

  Mr. Sanders’ phone rang and he held the latest and greatest cell money could buy up to his ear. The paper-thin phone probably wasn’t even on display in a store yet. “Yes, they’re with me. Jessica too. We’re just leaving the airport, so probably an hour.” He ended the call and stared out the window.

  I knew one thing without a doubt. If either Mom or Dad were on the other end of that call, I was definitely in trouble.

  * * * * *

  “You can’t leave here without telling us,” Dad roared as he paced next to the bar. “You’re not eighteen yet. Hell, you’re not even seventeen yet. You still have to listen to what we say.”

  I looked at Mom, who sat across the table. “I do listen.”

  “Listen and obey,” he corrected. Creases formed to the sides of his face, tightening at the corners of his eyes. “What were you thinking leaving with Pade like that?”

  “Pade and Bailey,” I corrected.

  Dad frowned. “That doesn’t make sneaking off any better. I find it hard to believe you’d go anywhere with Pade for two hours.”

  I stared at the dark circles under his eyes. “Weren’t you sleeping earlier?”

  “Don’t change the subject,” he said, struggling to pull himself away from where he’d stopped to lean against the bar.

  “You are sick again,” I said.

  “That isn’t your concern. Right now, we’re talking about the trouble you’re in.”

  I could not care less about the trouble. “What did the tests say?” I asked, fighting to keep the desperation out of my voice. “All your blood work must be back by now.”

  “Damn it,” Dad said and shoved the red mixer from the counter. The metal bowl split off the base and rolled across the floor. The base crashed, sending ragged chunks of plastic in every direction.

  Mom raised a hand to her mouth.

  My eyes nearly bugged out of my head.

  Dad ran a hand through his hair. When he turned back to face me, tears had filled his eyes. He knelt on the floor next to my chair, covering his face with his hands. “You act like you’re worried about me and yet you run off without telling me where you are. How do you think I feel?”

  I reached out to touch his shoulder.

  He pulled back from my hand. “When I woke up you were gone. I tore this house apart looking for you. I didn’t see the note until a half-hour later.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  “Yes, I’m sick again. I told you time was running out.”

  I’d never hated being right this much. A horrible feeling washed over me, like a waterfall of quicksand that fell around my feet and rose up my legs, ensuring I would never escape. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.” And I didn’t care. Dad was sick again.

  His eyes met mine, betraying a weakness I never wanted to see again. “All those years ago, I promised myself I’d see you through getting your memory back.”

  “So what if my memory never returns?” I asked.

  “But it has,” Mom said, “admit it.”

  “The dreams are getting worse,” I said. “But they’re just dreams.”

  “They torture you,” Dad said. “Lorraine says you’ve been calling out in the night. You haven’t done that since New York.”

  Stunned, I looked at Mom. “Why haven’t you told me?”

  She sighed. “I can only ask about your memory in so many ways. You’ve shut us out and not just since the hospital. This has gone on since last fall.”

  When Chase returned. “What do I call out?”

  “You scream for your father—your real father. You cry out Chase’s name, but we’re not sure why. Maybe you should enlighten us.”

  I took Dad’s hand in mine. “If we need to go back to Atlanta, that’s fine. Chemo, radiation, whatever you need, but you’ve got to get treated now.”

  “It won’t be that easy this time,” Mom said.

  Easy? She thought the chemo and radiation were easy? What could be worse? “Mom can teach us in Atlanta. We’ll stay there as long as it takes.”

  Dad placed his hand on my cheek. “You’re willing to give up everything we’ve built here? We’ve never stayed anywhere long enough to consider it home.”

  “I’d give up anything for you and Mom.” He had no idea I already had. I’d given up Chase and my chance at learning the truth about my past. Staring down at Dad’s tired face, I felt no regrets. “I’ll go upstairs and pack.”

  “Not yet.” Dad stood. “It will take a few days to set up the treatments. We won’t leave until Dr. Baynor gives the word.”

  I nodded, realizing I’d be the one to say goodbye to Pade and Bailey this time.

  There was no other choice.

  * * * * *

  Danny and Collin refused to eat dinner that night.

  “This is our home,” Collin said, shoving his plate across the table.

  Danny stood, following him to the porch. He gave me an evil look as he passed. “What did you do this time?”

  I looked at Dad as the door slammed. “You’re not going to tell them?”

  Dad leaned back in his chair. “Not yet.”

  “We don’t want them to worry,” Mom said.

  “So it’s better if they hate me?”

  “What do you suggest?” Dad asked.

  “Honesty,” I said.

  Mom and Dad stared at me.

  “Okay, I forgot for a second we don’t do honesty in this family.” I stood, shoving the chair until it slammed against the wall. “I’ll check on them.”

  “I’ll forgive you for that one,” Dad mumbled.

  The porch creaked under my feet as I spotted the boys at the picnic table. Without a word, I sat down next to Dann
y. “I’m sorry.”

  He pushed in his earbuds.

  “You always mess up our normal,” Collin said. “What happened?”

  “Technically, we’re not moving. We’re going back to Atlanta for a while so…Dad can have more tests.”

  Danny pulled out one of the earbuds. “More tests?” The anger had drained from his voice. “Why does Dad need more tests?”

  “We’ll handle this,” Dad said as he sat next to Collin.

  I scooted over so Mom could sit between me and Danny.

  “Your father’s cancer has returned,” Mom said, taking Danny’s hand. “We’re going back to Atlanta for more treatment.”

  “But…but you look fine,” Danny said, staring at Dad.

  “This can’t be happening,” Collin said, with tears in his voice.

  “Some things just happen,” Mom said. “We all knew the cancer could return one day. We hoped for more time, but we’ve had a wonderful year in Credence. Everyone at this table should be thankful for that, if nothing else.”

  Danny pulled out the second earbud. “How bad is it?”

  Dad reached for Danny. “We’ve fought worse before.”

  “Are we moving for good?” Collin asked.

  “No,” Mom said, “this our home.” She looked at Dad. “We’ll return when your father has won the battle.”

  “Can we stay with Aunt Charlie during the week?” Collin asked. “At least we could stay in school. Atlanta is only two hours away.”

  “Maybe that would be best,” Dad said.

  Mom shook her head. “We will not be divided, not now.” Her words seemed final as she stormed back into the house.

  Dad sighed. “I’ll talk to her.”

  Choices

  I didn’t get to see Bailey or Pade until Monday morning. Aunt Charlie and their dad insisted on ‘alone time’ with them, leaving Saturday afternoon before Dad finished our talk. Not a light in their house burned until ten o’clock Sunday night. I watched through the blinds as they pulled into the driveway and piled out of Aunt Charlie’s car, Pade and Bailey dragging into the house behind their parents.

  The week passed in our normal pattern, but neither Pade nor Bailey seemed willing to talk about their dad. I didn’t bring up the fact my dad was sick again. How could I?