He laughs. "It's even worse when he's your dad. I don't want to think about my dad doing that shit."
If he only knew Brock IS my dad. But I can't tell Trystan that.
Chapter Twenty-One
When we're home, I race inside to call Jackson but see a text he left me saying he's at his lawyer's office. I was really hoping I'd see him before the game but now I won't have time.
Alyssa shows up at five-thirty with two pizzas and a six-pack of soda.
"What do I owe you?" I ask, taking the pizza from her.
"Don't worry about it. It's on me."
We go in the kitchen and I set the pizzas down.
"I haven't been here forever," she says, looking around. She walks to the window. "Such an awesome view. I wish my family lived on the beach. Well, not this one after what happened." She whips back to face me. "Sorry. I shouldn't bring that up."
"It's okay. Everyone does. I'm used to it."
She walks back to me. "I'm starving. You ready to eat?"
"Yeah, I'll grab some plates."
She shivers. "I don't know why but I'm really cold. Do you have a sweater I could borrow?"
"Sure. I'll be right back." I go to my room and come back with a hoodie. "Does this work?"
"Perfect." She takes it from me. "Thanks!"
We go to the table to eat our pizza.
"When's the last time you were here?" I ask.
"A couple years ago. Braden and I were on the debate team and we met here to practice."
"Braden was on the debate team?"
"Yeah, but he wasn't very good. I did okay, but it took too much time so I quit. So where are you going to college?"
"I'm not going. I'll just find a job."
"Really?" she asks, looking like she's disgusted by the idea.
"I just don't think college is for me. I don't really like school."
"Yeah, but what are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure. I'll figure it out. My mom was an artist and she did okay."
As we continue to talk I realize Trystan was right. Alyssa isn't someone I'd choose to hang out with. We have nothing in common and all she wants to talk about is school. I'm relieved when it's time to leave for the game so I don't have to keep listening to her talk about the colleges she's considering.
The stadium is packed when we get there. The other team knows Braden isn't playing so they probably think it's worth showing up since there's a chance they'll win. The guys at lunch wouldn't even talk about the game. Normally they'd brag about how they're going to win but today they kept quiet.
"Get the ball, you shithead!" a guy behind me yells. It's almost the end of the fourth quarter and the score is 35 to seven. Twisted Pine is losing.
"This is painful," Alyssa says.
"I know." I cover my ears. "That guy is so freaking loud."
