by Silva Hart
Ripping the shirt off so the buttons scatter across the tiles and scrambling out of the wet jeans, he drops them in a heap and steps away from them as if they’re about to come to life and wrap around him in a death choke. I pick up the clothes, careful to keep them away from myself, and hand him the soap and towel. “Take a shower. Put those on when you’re done.” I gesture toward the bench.
He nods, his eyes blank, his expression numb.
I leave and stuff the bloody clothes into a trashcan then take the bag outside to the dumpster. While I’m out there, I take advantage of the moment to have a quick smoke and try to figure out what the hell to do.
Chapter 30
Back inside, I find Dair still in the shower. My phone reads 3:13. When he finally comes back to my room, he looks calmer. The sweatpants stretch tighter across his hips than they do on me and pool at his ankles.
I stop my pacing and sit on the cot. “Start from when Lexi and I left.”
He sits on the floor, his back against the wall. “Mia and I went to Hijo’s. We had a good time. A real good time. It was so great being with her again, talking to her, hearing her laugh. God, I missed her. Around midnight, we left the diner and I drove her back to the school.” His fists clench. “You wouldn’t believe it. We pull into the parking lot and there’s that group that was saying that shit to you, all standing there drinking. Right out in the open in front of God and everybody and nobody doing nothing. You can’t tell me the security guards or police didn’t see them. But their shit don’t stink, right? Like they can just get away with anything and nothing ever happens to them.” He looks up at me. “Why were they even hanging out there in the first place? Like they don’t have mansions to hang out in and mommies and daddies who will give them anything they want? Why did they have to be standing out there on school property flaunting their privilege like that?”
He pauses as if I know the answer to any of his questions. I shrug.
“Mia and I talked a little longer. I asked her if Grant was one of them, and she pointed him out. They started getting obnoxious. I didn’t trust them, so I told her to go. We exchanged numbers, but I was curious where she’s living now so tailed her. Her new home is okay. It’s a row home.”
He pauses. “Man, I need a smoke. You want to go outside?”
“No, it’s better you tell me what happened in here.”
“Oh, right.”
“So, what happened next?”
“I was driving home and saw Grant walking along the sidewalk. He was alone. I wanted to talk to him, maybe scare him, maybe even give him a black eye for what he did to you and keeps doing to you, warn him to knock it off. I pulled over and got out. I caught up with him and grabbed him and asked him why he was harassing you all the time. He wouldn’t answer, just stood there staring at me. I hauled off and was about to punch him when he broke free and ran.”
Dair covers his face with his hands again.
“What?” I ask. So far, it doesn’t sound like anything too terrible.
“He ran into the street. Right in front of a truck.” Dair rubs his ears. “God, I can still hear it. The truck drove off and left him lying there.”
“Is he dead?”
Dair nods. “There was so much blood. And he was all twisted. More cars were coming, so I pulled him back to the sidewalk. His phone fell out of his pocket. When I saw it, I didn’t even think about it, I picked it up and called 9-1-1. I waited there with him but, when I saw all the flashing lights racing toward me and heard the sirens, I got scared and ran. I knew they’d think I did it. And they did too. The ambulance stopped but the cops all came after me. I ducked through some alleys and hid in a shed then came here. I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have, but I had nowhere else to go.”
He looks up at me with wide, terrified eyes. “Maybe I did do it. Grant wouldn’t have run in front of that truck if I hadn’t confronted him. I don’t want to go to jail, Jett. I’ve spent my whole life trying to stay out of jail. I’ve put up with so much shit and just took it so I could stay free. I finally have Mia back now. I have to get a job and save money so we can get married.”
“Did anyone see you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you take Grant’s phone or leave it there?”
“I left it there.”
“It has your prints on it.”
“Shit. I didn’t think about that.”
“Do you have a record they can match them with?”
“All foster kids get fingerprinted. I’m in the system.”
I run my hands through my hair. This sucks, and I’m not sure what to do. He shouldn’t have run, but I can’t blame him. If Grant is dead, it would have been his word against what it looked like. And what it looks like usually wins.
“Come on,” I say. “Let’s have that smoke.”
We’re silent, each contemplating our own thoughts as the soothing smoke drifts on the frosty morning air. There’s still an hour before the gym opens when we go back inside.
“Until we find out exactly what Grant’s status is, this is between you and me, got it?” I say. “Maybe he’s not dead.”
“He’s dead,” Dair says dully. “No one could lose that much blood and still live.”
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to spend the day at the gym like we always do and you’re going to leave when you always do. After One-Eyed Mike closes up, I’ll let you back in. Call your fosters and tell them you’re spending the night at a friend’s house, but don’t tell them where you are.”
“Thanks, man. I really appreciate this.”
It’s too early to thank me. I’m not sure what the hell to do in this situation and am making it up as I go along. I just hope I don’t make things worse for him.
“I’m taking a walk until One-Eyed Mike gets here and opens the gym,” he says.
“Sounds good.”
All day, I waver between filling One-Eyed Mike in on what’s happening and keeping him out of it. I mean, what could he really do? I think about calling Lexi too but don’t want to tip her off about anything. After all, she is friends with that whole group. I’m not sure which side she’ll take.
After the gym closes, Dair comes back with a pizza and a six-pack of water. I let him in.
“This is messed up, man,” he sighs as we eat in my room. “I can’t spend every day like this. Something is bound to happen. Maybe I should take the bus up to New York City. I can get lost there. No one will find me.”
“What about Mia?”
His jaw clenches.
After a few minutes, I say, “Tell you what. I’m going to school tomorrow and see what I can find out. Don’t do anything until I get back, okay?”
He nods.
I brush my teeth and get ready for bed then toss him one of my green army blankets. “It’ll probably be more comfortable sleeping out in the gym on one of the mats than in here on the concrete.”
“Thanks, man.” He leaves, and I settle back onto the cot for a fitful night.
In the morning, I get ready and head toward the school, swinging into the Quickie Mart for cigarettes on my way. As I’m paying, the bell on the door chimes.
“Oh my God, Jett,” Lexi says, coming toward me. She sags against me, wrapping her arms in a tight embrace. “I’m so happy to see you,” she murmurs against my chest.
I move us out of the line of waiting customers. She lifts red, puffy eyes to me. I’ve never seen her look like this before.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I was at the hospital almost all day yesterday.”
I guide her outside.
“Hold on a second,” she says before walking to a red Prius. Her best friend, Brianna, is sitting in the driver’s seat. “Go ahead. I’m going with Jett.”
Brianna turns distrustful eyes to me. But there’s something else behind her gaze, a curiosity, as she sweeps me from head-to-toe.
Lexi comes back and we get in the Mustang. I roll down the window and l
ight a cigarette.
“Grant’s in the hospital. They were drinking after the show. Grant and Carlton got in a huge argument over something stupid. They were both trashed. Grant stormed off. Everyone just let him go. Yesterday morning, Grant’s mom called Carlton’s mom sobbing hysterically. Grant got hit by a car while walking home. Someone saw it and called 9-1-1 and pulled him out of the road. That person saved Grant’s life.”
Saved his life? “How is he now?”
“He has a concussion, both his legs are broken, his arm is broken, and I’m not sure what all else. He looks like a mummy. He was unconscious for almost twelve hours, they said. He finally woke up yesterday afternoon, but he doesn’t remember anything.”
“Nothing?”
“No. Evidently, they took his blood alcohol content after he was admitted and it was super high. They’re figuring he wasn’t paying attention and wandered into traffic or fell or got hit while crossing.”
“So they don’t think anyone else was with him?”
“Well, someone was or at least saw it. The police are looking for the person who called 9-1-1 to see if they can find out more. Grant’s parents even put up a $25,000 reward for whoever it is. They just want to know what happened to their son. Not knowing can be the hardest part.”
Tears roll down her cheeks. “It was so crazy seeing him like that and thinking he almost died. I can’t … it doesn’t seem possible that you can be hanging out with someone like you always do and then that’s the last time you ever see them again. They’re just gone.”
I put my hand over hers and she clutches it. “He’s not gone. He’s still here. With $25,000 on the line, the person will probably come forward. You sure they don’t think anything malicious happened to him? He was just drunk?”
She wipes her face. “It was obviously a hit and run. Nothing else could have done that much damage. And the person who called said he’d been hit and needed an ambulance. They had to have seen what happened.”
I think about Dair going to the police station with all that reward money up for grabs. Will he be safe going there? Does he need a lawyer? I’m sitting next to someone who would probably have all these answers, but can I trust her?
She scoots across the center console into my lap and buries her wet face in my neck. I hold her, feeling her warm breath and hot tears, and stroke her hair.
Lexi’s never done me wrong, but I need to let Dair decide this one for himself. I’m the link. I can at least connect them. Maybe it will help get this whole thing resolved. “Come on,” I whisper into her ear. “I want to take you somewhere.”
She pulls back, searching my face, before moving to her seat. I start the car and drive to One-Eyed Mike’s. The last thing I want her to see right now is how I’m living, so I tell her to stay in the car. One-Eyed Mike has just opened and no one else is inside.
“Hey, you seen Dair?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “You two doing okay?”
“Yeah.”
“I saw a lot of bent heads yesterday.”
Of course he noticed.
“If you boys got into some trouble, you know you can come talk to me, right?”
I nod. “Thanks.”
“Why aren’t you in school anyway?”
I flash him a grin. I can’t help myself. He always cares, and it feels nice. “I’m heading there now.”
“Well, you’re late so better get going.”
Back at the car, I slide into the driver’s seat.
“Why are we here?”
Where are you, Dair?
I turn to Lexi, studying those aqua eyes, eyes the color of warm, tropical waters that I want to immerse myself in and float away on. Float away from all the torment and trouble of daily life.
I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to do. Lexi’s so tight with Grant and that crowd. She’s known them for way longer than she’s known me. Her reaction at what I have to say could go either way. Gritting my teeth, I make my decision. “I need to tell you something.”
Chapter 31
“What is it, Jett? You can tell me anything.”
“It was Dair last night.”
“What?”
“Dair saw Grant get hit by a truck and called 9-1-1.”
“Oh my God, Jett. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wanted him to tell you himself, but he’s not here. I don’t know where he is and don’t have his number. If we go to school now, can you get it from Mia? I need to find him.”
“Of course.”
I hope Dair didn’t do anything stupid. He seemed pretty frayed yesterday. If he high-tailed it to New York City, I’ll probably never see him again. He’ll never know how it all turned out.
Second period is almost over by the time we get to the school. The secretary does a double-take at seeing us walk through the door together: the cheerleader and the outcast, the light and the dark.
Lexi gives her a brilliant smile and says, “Hi, Tessa.”
Of course she’s on a first name basis with the school secretary.
“Sorry we’re late today.”
The secretary’s eyes slide to me at Lexi’s use of “we.”
“I had a personal thing come up. Jett helped me out a lot which is why he’s been out this morning too.”
The woman’s eyes again flick to me, taking in the scuffed leather of my jacket. “Without a written excuse from your parents or a doctor, I have to mark this as an unexcused tardy.”
“I know. That’s fine.” Lexi turns to go then, as if an afterthought, asks, “Oh, hey, I have something I need to give Mia Ward before her third period class. Do you know what class she’s in now?”
The secretary types into her computer. “Mrs. Bolson. Room 232.”
“Thanks so much. Have a great day.”
The woman smiles. “Thanks, Lexi. You too.”
I follow Lexi into the school. I would have gotten ten times more crap if I’d come in this late by myself, and that woman would never in a million years have given me another student’s information that easily. But Lexi just waltzes on through and gets sprinkled with smiles while she’s at it. Unbelievable.
“We’re not telling her anything, just getting the number,” I murmur as we wait outside Mia’s room.
Lexi hesitates then nods.
The bell rings. Surprise flashes across Mia’s face when she sees the two of us waiting. Alarm quickly follows. “Is everything okay? Is Dair okay?”
Shit. I hadn’t thought of a story. I just thought she’d give me the number and I’d be on my way.
Lexi pulls Mia out of the stream of bodies. “Yeah, everything’s fine. Better than fine. Jett and I were talking, and I got an idea I wanted to run by you two. I’m really excited about it so couldn’t wait. Jett thinks it’s a great idea too.”
I do? What idea?
“But I don’t want you to be late for your next class. Where is it?”
“Downstairs in 137.”
Lexi steps in next to her with me trailing behind. “You two are such a cute couple.”
“Thanks,” Mia smiles, relaxing. Trust Lexi to start out with making her feel good.
“Dair mentioned that he wants to get a job and start saving money so you two can get a place together.”
Mia’s cheeks turn pink. “He said that?”
Lexi covers her mouth. “Oh, he didn’t tell you? Maybe I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”
“No, you’re okay. But, wow, I didn’t know he was thinking that. I mean, we talked about it before, but I didn’t know he was ready to do it now.”
“Oh good, I didn’t spoil anything,” Lexi says with theatrical relief. “So, I was thinking that since Daddy owns a beer distribution company, I can get Dair a job there easily. You too if you want one.”
“I’m only sixteen.”
Lexi waves a hand. “That’s fine. I’m sure Daddy can find something for you.”
“Really? That would be great.”
“I thought you two would
like that. But I don’t have Dair’s number, and I need to talk to him and see what kind of position he might want. Can you give it to me?”
“Sure.”
“Give me yours while you’re at it.”
“Okay.”
And just like that, we have Dair’s number. I’m still marveling at Lexi’s genius. How did she think up that whole story so fast?
Mia goes into her class as the bell rings. Lexi gives me the numbers.
“I’m heading out. You staying?” I ask.
“No, I’m coming with you.” She starts toward the front of the school.
“They let you leave whenever you want?” They threw such a fit about it the last time I tried to do that, I never tried leaving that way again.
She stops. “I didn’t think about that. How do we get out of here?”
“Come on.” I lead her to the gym and head toward the emergency door.
She grabs my arm. “Wait, you’ll set off the alarm.”
I grin at her as I punch the door open. “I will?”
She freezes and listens. When nothing happens, her mouth drops open. “Jett Dixon, you are amazing.”
I call Dair as we’re walking to the car. It rings through. I try again. After the third time with no answer, I realize he’s on the run and I’m calling him from a number he doesn’t recognize. Of course he won’t pick up. I need to text him.
Me: Dair, this is Jett. I got your number from Mia. I have good news. Call me.
He calls within a few seconds.
“Where are you?” I ask.
“On a bus.”
“You have to come back.”
“No way, man. I’m not dragging Mia through all that. It’s better for everyone if I just disappear.”
“Grant’s alive. And they’re offering a $25,000 reward to the person who called 9-1-1 and saved his life. Come back.”
There’s a long pause.
“Hello?”
“Um … wait … now what the hell did you just say?”
“Grant was plastered when you met up with him. He doesn’t remember anything. Everyone is calling you a hero for saving his life. Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
