Nothing has prepared me for the horror of that statement or my reaction. Everything in my body vibrates with anger, and I run, clutching my purse to my shoulder. I don’t even know where I’m going, just that I need to get away from all of this and hoping and praying that my departure will shock the boys from getting involved with Justin any more than they have already. Surely, they’ll come after me rather than fight.
I find myself in a parking lot and am narrowly missed by a car that honks in a loud stream and sets the hairs rising on the back of my neck. Shit. I turn quickly, but I can’t see anybody, and I panic even more. Have I just left the boys to ruin their lives and pick up the pieces of my shitty situation?
I’m finally out on the road, and there is a bus stop with a bus waiting. I have no idea where the bus is going; all that I know is that getting on it will get me away from Cathy and Justin and the poison that wishes my defenseless unborn child death.
25
By the time I get back to the house, the boys’ trucks are already parked out front. I use my key to get in the door, and I can hear them all in the kitchen, having a heated discussion. Making my way closer, I catch them discussing me.
“YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE GOTTEN INVOVLED!” John shouts, and I think his fist must hit the table because there is a sharp bang and a rumble of clattering as things fall.
“I wasn’t going to just stand by and let them talk to Maggie like that.”
“Haven’t you learned anything? Words are just words. They don’t mean a thing unless you take them to heart and make them a reality. When you hit that pitiful excuse for a man in the face, he won. He riled you up and got you to do something that could mess up everything you’ve worked for, for what? For honor? You think Maggie gives more of a shit about your honor than she does about your career chances. You’ve seen what she’s been like with the Cox situation. She’s put herself between him and Gordon twice to protect us from doing something stupid.”
“I couldn’t help it,” Sean says, his voice low and chastened.
“You could. You always can. You just have to take a moment to think through your actions rather than letting your fist make the decision.”
“I’ll talk to Coach. I’ll explain the situation.”
“Do you think he’s going to give a shit about any of that? Do you really think he’s going to care that some asshole was mouthing off about your girlfriend? He’s going to tell you that you’re an idiot too. You just better hope that douchebag who knocked up Maggie is embarrassed that he didn’t fight back and doesn’t report you. Hell, you could get arrested for assault.”
Sean doesn’t respond, and my heart breaks because, although I’m not happy that he put himself at risk, he showed an urge to protect me. Words can be easily spoken, but actions always say more.
“That guy was an asshole,” Gordon says.
“And that girl… she was a frickin’ gorgon… like something hell spewed out.”
“I can’t believe that Maggie let herself get involved with someone like that.”
“You can see how much she needs us in her life. That jockstrap is never going to step up to be the father that baby deserves.”
“What would she do if she had to go and face that?”
“She wouldn’t be able to. That would be too much for anyone.”
They’re talking so fast that it’s hard for me to work out who is saying what. My heart is thudding so hard with embarrassment and frustration. I’m about to stride into the room and tell them exactly what I think of everything when the doorbell rings.
Shit.
I look down at my wrist and realize how late it is. When I glance up, Sean is standing in the doorway of the kitchen. I turn on my heel, heading straight for the front door. Whoever this is, they need to leave. When I twist the handle and yank it open, Tristan Copeland is standing on the steps.
“Well, hello,” he says, taking a step up as though he’s expecting to be invited in.
“Who is it, Maggie?” Sean says.
“Tristan,” I tell him as he comes close enough to look over my shoulder.
“Maggie told me to come today to talk about my offer. She’s really enthusiastic about parting with the house.”
Sean’s head swivels, his wide eyes fixed on me. Behind, there is an audible intake of breath.
“That’s not what I said.” I fold my arms, remaining statue-like in the doorway.
Sean frowns as though he can’t quite believe what is happening. “But you did talk to him. You knew his name.”