Playing to Win

“What’s going on?” he asked, but I didn’t have time for stupid questions.

Yanking on the handle, I burst through the car door. “Payton!” Not even bothering to close the door, I took off running after my brother. “Payton!”

Asher

What the hell?

Scrambling from the car, I ran after her, slamming her door shut on the way. “Jordan!”

She ran down an alley between a row of houses.

“Payton!” she cried.

Searching ahead, I spotted a group of four middle school kids. All boys. One of them glanced up when Jordan called out, his brows lifting with surprise before lowering again. Scowling, he turned to his friends and said something before striding toward Jordan.

I stopped a couple yards away.

“Jordan, what are you doing here?” The kid stood with his shoulders hunched, fists clenched at his sides.

“No, what are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at practice.”

The kid, Payton, glanced over his shoulder at his friends. He turned back to Jordan, his face twisted with anger.

“How do you know I’m not on my way there?” he asked.

Jordan put her hands on her hips. “I’m not stupid, Payton. The rink is on the other side of the middle school from here.” She pointed to his friends. “They aren’t on your team.”

Payton scowled. “Butt out, Jordan. It’s none of your business what I’m doing.” His gaze flicked over me. “Just get back in the car with your boyfriend and leave me alone.” He started to turn away, but Jordan grabbed his arm. My body tensed, ready to help if she needed me.

“He’s not my boyfriend and you’re coming with me.” She pulled on his arm, but the kid dug in his heels.

“No, I’m not.” He shot another look at his friends. One of them laughed, making catcalls.

Jordan stopped pulling, but didn’t let go of his arm. “Dad is going to kill you when he finds out you skipped hockey practice.” She lowered her voice but I heard what she said. “You’re already in enough trouble. What’s wrong with you?”

Payton’s scowl deepened as my gaze darted between the two siblings. “What’s it to you? Go away, Jordan.”

Jordan’s jaw dropped. “What’s it to me? You’re my brother! Do you think it’s fun being sent away from dinner to sit in my room while you get yelled at?”

Payton’s jaw clenched, his face turning red. His friends had quieted down again, waiting to see what he’d do next. I stepped forward as Payton leaned toward Jordan, his nose barely an inch from hers.

“Leave. Me. Alone.” He wrenched his arm from her grasp and took off running, his friends following close behind, their laughter echoing down the alley.

Jordan started after him, but I caught her, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind.

“Let him go,” I said as she struggled against my hold.

“No! That’s my brother!” Jordan’s hair whipped in my face and I tightened my grip.

“I know. What are you going to do? Chase him down and then what? You can’t make him do something he doesn’t want to do.”

She struggled a few seconds more before her body sagged against mine. “Dad’s going to kill him.”

“No, he won’t. And even if he is mad, that’s on Payton. Not you.”

Jordan turned in my arms and buried her face in my chest. “I don’t know why he’s doing this! He’s not a bad kid.” She tilted her face until our eyes met. “Did you see those kids?” she asked, eyes watering.

I nodded, knowing exactly what she meant and having no right to judge. Anyone looking at me could lump me in with those kids. Dark clothes. Shaggy hair. Bad attitude. Give them a guitar, put them in a band-

“He’s been in trouble for months,” the words spilled from her mouth. “He was grounded most of the summer because he got caught driving his friend’s mom’s car at two in the morning. He got pulled over by the police.” She shook her head and I could almost feel her pain, her worry. “It was horrible. Mom and Dad had to pick him up at the police station. If he’s not careful, he’s going to end up in juvie.” Her voice broke on the last word and she dropped her face to my chest again, quiet sobs wracking her body. I had a feeling Jordan Parks didn’t cry over much. Her brother was breaking her heart.