They will all pay for their irresponsibility.
But first, I have to text Soren. We have a job to do.
“Thanks, Coach,” I say while standing up. “Sorry I zoned out. I guess I’m just thinking.”
She smiles as she stands up and offers me a hug. “Don’t apologize to me. It’s good to see you using that brain of yours.”
“I must get it from my father.”
“You certainly do, Alexandra. You’re a lot like Felipe. So much more than you know.”
The compliment stings as much as it soothes. I embrace her tightly, feeling another round of tears surfacing that I know I’m helpless to stop. A snug squeeze helps keep them at bay and then I drift back, giving her an appreciative smile.
“I’ll keep you in the loop,” I tell her. “Thanks for letting me stick around.”
“Any time, Alexandra. Take care.”
And when I leave, I feel like I’m about to become much greater than my father could ever have dreamed.
***
After school, I wander toward the parking lot to wait for my ride when I notice Tomas and Parker getting into it near the entrance to the deck. I’m just within earshot, noticing that Tomas keeps shifting the blame for Lev’s death to Parker. The two of them are deep in a nasty name-calling match when I walk up to them.
Every time Tomas makes a jab at Parker over Lev getting murdered, I notice the hurt in Parker’s features and the pain that lingers in his eyes. It’s strange seeing him express that. For the most part, Parker only displays anger or stoicism—and nothing else. Sure, he has other emotions, but he doesn’t like letting people see them.
But this? It’s so intense that I have to intervene.
“Tommy, stop it,” I bark. “Can’t you see you’re hurting his feelings?”
Tomas scoffs. “What the fuck do I care about that for?”
“Because Parker didn’t know about my plan to run off with Lev. That’s why.”
The two of them gape at me.
“Excuse me?” Tomas finally says. “You were doing what with Lev?”
I cross my arms over my chest as I hold my ground. “I was going to run away with him. We were meeting that night at the dock to take off.”
“You’re fucking kidding me,” Parker says in a voice thick with disappointment. “Is that why you wanted me to fuck you?”
I grimace. “Does everything have to be about sex with you?”
“Guess you were saying goodbye in your own special way,” Tomas accuses. “Isn’t that right, doll?”
“You can’t be that mad at me. Just look at what’s been happening around here,” I retort. “It’s been a huge goddamn mess. Why would I want to stick around for that?”
More hurt flashes in Parker’s eyes when I look at him. “Are you still leaving?”
“No,” I say confidently. “I’m not. I’m sticking around.”
“You fucking better.”
I give him a stern look, daring him to say anything else to me. Now that he knows I can take off, he should probably be a little nicer to me. At the very least, he should try to be polite.
“Let’s go to the gazebo,” I suggest. “Too many ears around here.”
The boys follow after me with Parker snug at my side. Admittedly, it’s nice to have his warmth and strength against me. It makes me feel just a little more protected than usual. If Lev got stabbed into the next life, then that means any one of us could be next.