“That fucking made my day,” Trystan says as we drive home.
“Running into Kristen made your day? Seriously?” I shake my head.
“Did you see how she looked at her mom? If she had a gun, I swear she would’ve shot her.” He laughs. “She fucking hates her mom and her mom acts like she doesn’t even care. I could watch that shit all day.”
“I heard her mom is crazy. Is that just a rumor or is it true?”
“Kristen claims her mom spent time in a mental hospital, but I don’t believe her. Someone would have to force her to go and there’s no way she’d let that happen. She might be crazy, but not crazy enough to give up her freedom.” He glances at me. “What the hell did she say to you?”
I smile. “That she would’ve hit Kristen too.”
“No shit?” He laughs. “Her own mom wants to punch her? That’s fucking hilarious.”
“I thought so too but then I felt kind of bad. What if she meant it? Do you think she hits Kristen?”
“If she does, she probably deserves it.”
“Doesn’t make it right.”
“Youhit her.”
“I’m not her mom. And I didn’t plan on hitting her. I just got angry and punched her.”
“Dad hit Braden.” Trystan slows down as we approach a red light. “Fucking scared the shit out of me. I’ve never seen him that pissed.”
“He hit Braden? Why?”
“I didn’t ask. It was the day after I found Andrea. I was out with some friends and when I got home, Dad was yelling at Braden and then he hit him.”
“Hard?”
“Enough to knock him to the ground. If I hadn’t walked in, I think he would’ve hit him again.”
“But you don’t know why he did it?”
“No, but think about it. Famous actor’s son gets charged with murder? The tabloids love that shit. My dad lost a movie role because of that. He won’t admit it, but I know he blames Braden for why he isn’t getting work.”
“He’s been in a few things.”
“Guest appearances in TV shows. He hasn’t had anything big since this thing with Andrea.”
Trystan turns down our street. Brock’s car is back in the driveway. He’s home with Braden. I hope he doesn’t hit him. I’m sure Brock’s furious the case is being looked into again, especially if he thinks it’ll keep him from getting acting jobs, but that doesn’t make it okay for him to hit Braden.
“Holy shit.” Trystan points down the street. “Guess the evidence points to Novak.”
I look and see two police cars at Jackson’s house, along with two other cars.
My heart pounds hard in my chest, my breaths short and shallow.
They’re there to arrest him. Jackson’s going to jail. Charged with murder.
Chapter 12
Every part of me wants to run down to Jackson’s and stop them from taking him away. But I can’t.
Trystan parks, and we go inside the house. Braden and Brock are in the living room, talking.
“Did you see Novak’s house?” Trystan says, laughing, even though it’s not the least bit funny.
