He leans forward, elbows on his knees. “I get it, okay. I love your sister like she’s my own, but what if you got caught by the cops, man? I’m fucking pissed at you, and not because of your motives. You put Phoebe and your mom in harm’s way! Think about that, Adam. That dude, Ray Diaz. I did some checking on him. Did you know he was arrested for murder two years ago?”
I shut my eyes, counting to three. I was so blinded by taking care of my family that I didn’t even think of all the consequences other than me going to jail.
I throw my head in my hands. “I fucked up. I’m sorry.”
“I talked to your mom,” he says.
My head lifts so fast I’ll probably have whiplash. “You did what?”
He sits back, running a hand through his blond hair. “I went to see her while you were away. We talked for a long time. In fact, I spent the night. Phoebe is doing okay, by the way.”
I want to catapult across the room and hug him for nothing more than telling me Phoebe is okay.
“She told me you sold drugs in the ninth grade and if you hadn’t the three of you would’ve been homeless. I don’t agree with you selling drugs, but a part of me understands. However, there are other options. There are jobs out there and friends who would help you. Hell, man. If you went to Coach and asked him for financial support, I bet he would’ve helped. And selling to Emily? What the fuck? Is that how you two met?”
I nod as guilt steals the air from my lungs. I could tell him I didn’t sell to her. But that wouldn’t matter. I’m one of her enablers. I sell to Zach and he supplies her. I have every mind to pay Zach a visit, but I can’t put all the blame on him. Emily is the one in charge of her actions. She’s at fault in this too.
I knit my brows together. “Wait. Why did you ask me if I sold drugs when you talked to my mom?
He pushes out his shoulders. “I wanted to hear you say it. I’m still pissed. But.” He briefly closes his eyes. “I’ve never had to live on the streets or worry about being evicted. Your mom told me the horror stories of when your father left you guys. I knew things were rough, man, but not that rough.” Air expels from his mouth in a loud rush. “But next time, talk to me. Let me help you.”
I’m choking up at Sam’s reaction. I know he’s got a heart of gold, but I expected a different reaction, like him moving out or telling me to leave. I push to my feet and cross the room in two strides until I’m holding out my hand to him. He takes it, but instead of exchanging a handshake, I pull him up and give him a hug. “Thank you, man. I promise you there won’t be a next time. I’m going to tell Ray I quit.” No sense in worrying about his threat to out me to Coach anymore. The cat is out of the bag.
* * *
Run-down and boarded-upbusinesses line both sides of the streets as we pass by in my truck.
“I’ve never been in this part of town,” Sam says, keeping his eyes peeled out the window.
“I grew up in a neighborhood similar to this in New Jersey,” I say as I brake at the stop sign.
Sam shakes his head. “Sorry, man.”
He and I have been talking for hours since Coach almost strangled me. I came clean about Donnie and what I did for him. I came clean that I was Wrangler. I told him about bumping into Emily in the hospital and then again the first night Ray threw me out on to the streets. By the time we got in my truck, Sam knew every sordid detail of the things I’ve done that I’m not proud of. He didn’t judge. He listened, shook his head and nodded in spots, and in the end, he became my true brother, which is why he’s with me now. He doesn’t want me to face Ray alone.
I laugh out loud, as I turn the corner down the narrow road leading to Ray’s shop. Streetlights blink on and off. Maybe that’s a sign I should turn around and get the hell out of Dodge.
“What’s funny?” Sam asks, still keeping watch like a soldier on patrol.
“You realize we both can get our asses beat to a pulp.”
I didn’t intend to pay Ray a visit tonight, but what the hell. I might as well get the bad shit over with, because come Monday, I need to decide what’s next now that I don’t have football. And then there’s Emily. Just the thought of her gives me butterflies despite her betrayal. I’m so fucking livid she told her old man I sold drugs. But I shove her down a deep dark hole for now as I park outside Ray’s shop.
I’ll deal with one problem at a time.
A light spills out from a small square window, and a shadow is visible behind the glass.
“He’s here,” Sam mumbles with a hint of nerves.
I cut the engine. “Stay in the car. If I’m not out in ten minutes, take off and call the cops.”
Sam’s features twist. “Hell no. Where you go, I go.” He climbs out before I can stop him.
I dig that he’s got my back, but he doesn’t need to get in the middle of this. “Sam.” My tone is abrupt.
“Look, I’ve set up a safeguard before we left. If we’re not back in the dorm room in three hours, then the file I’ve compiled on Ray so far will be sent to the cops. Besides, Ray already knows me. So, let’s go.” He puffs out his chest.
I should’ve known Sam would have our backs covered.
