“How long?” He directed his question to David.
The guy faked ignorance and replied, “I beg your pardon?”
Weston walked across to David before any of us had enough time to blink. He yanked David’s hoodie and ripped it down to expose the scar again.
“How long has he been doing shit like this?” Weston held the hoodie tightly in his fist.
David struggled, but couldn’t shove him away. “I don’t know. Christ. Hasn’t he always?”
Weston pushed David away and looked to Dakota for confirmation. Dakota leaned his elbows against the car with his head in his hands. I went closer to him. When I reached out to touch his shoulder, he started shaking his head.
“Drop it,” Dakota said in a firm tone as he met my gaze. His eyes were red with holding back tears. “I promise you; I’ll ask for your help if I need it. Right now, I don’t. I can handle this one.”
Kevin suddenly opened his door and poked his head out. “Yo, kids. What are we doing? Running lines for an ensemble play? We’ve got places to be and people to see. Let’s load it up.”
“I second,” David and started towards the car. “Let’s get this freak show on the road.”
Weston tugged him back. “Nah. You’re walking.”
“What?” David wore a look of disbelief as Weston unloaded his bag and shoved it to his chest. “Seriously?”
“You don’t act like a teammate, so I’m not treating you like one,” Weston told him as he started back to the truck. “You should have told me, David. Out of everyone, I would have thought you’d be the first to tell me.”
“Okay, but seriously?” David called as Dakota and I followed Weston’s lead. “Weston? You can’t take a joke anymore?”
“It’s not a joke,” Weston called back.
David cursed loudly when Weston pulled off. I glanced in the rear-view mirror to see Dakota yank on his hood and sunk into his seat. Kevin shook his head, perplexed.
“Man, Weston,” Kevin said with a chuckle. “Didn’t know you had it in you to actually leave someone behind.”
“I’ve given him enough chances,” Weston grumbled. He glanced over at me and his eyes were filled with a multitude of questions. I looked back with only one,What was he going to do about this?
Chapter 29
“I need details,”Weston said in a hushed tone.
Kevin convinced us to still go to the after-party at a frat house. According to him, the Westbrooke Angels had an image to maintain. And even after losing, the players still needed to show face during events. Especially since members of the opposing team were rumored to be at this same party.
Weston told Kevin to walk ahead after we’d arrived. He stopped Dakota from stepping on the sidewalk that led to the party. I stood behind them, watching in silence as Weston tried to gather information about Bill’s abuse.
“Look,” Dakota started. “I screwed up. I should have put more time into studying the playbook. David’s an ass, but he’s not always wrong. He warned me. I didn’t want to listen.”
“I don’t get it. These guys are after your head for some reason.” Weston rubbed his face with his hands. Annoyance poured through his next words. “I’m trying to help you. I have your back. Now, I need you to have mine.”
“You’ve been in your own world since the semester started,” Dakota said in a calm tone. “Sure, you’re in my corner, but you don’t have my back. Not this year. You can’t because you’re not around long enough.”
Weston took a deep breath. “I’ve been busy-”
“Busy?” Dakota challenged. “When we voted you captain it was because you ate, slept, and breathed football. You’re not busy. You’re doing something that could ruin everything for you. You think I don’t notice the late nights and weird phone calls?”
“Dakota, if you don’t tell me, I swear to God.” Weston held up his hands, looking like a frustrated older brother. I leaned against the truck, debating on whether I should walk closer to the party to give them privacy. When I moved towards the house, Weston instantly glanced in my direction. His expression told me to wait.
“Just a second, Covee,” he promised in a gentle tone.
I nodded, but still put a little distance between me and them. The students at the frat house were already rowdy. Music pulsed through open windows, making the ground vibrate. A few people climbed onto the roof and I watched them dangle their feet off the edge while tossing red cups onto the lawn. My stomach turned at the idea of even going in there. I’d gone to my fair share of parties freshman year. None of them ended well.
“Find someone else to save,” was the last thing I heard Dakota say before brushing past Weston.
