We walk them to the door.
"Thank you for breakfast," Roman says.
"It's the least I can do," Brock says. "If you need anything else, please let us know."
I hug Jackson. "Text me when you're done with the lawyers."
"I will." He gives me a kiss. "See you soon."
When he leaves, I want to run after him. I'm so afraid the cops will show up and take him away.
Principal Edwards did this. He's the reason Jackson is being accused. Why would he do that? Does he hate Jackson that much? Just because he left Twisted Pine and their precious football team?
"I really hate him," I mutter as we go inside.
"Hate who?" Brock asks.
"Principal Edwards. Why would he accuse Jackson of killing Kristen? He knows Jackson well enough to know he'd never do that."
"When parents are distraught over their child's death, they'll blame whoever they can. They want someone else to experience the pain they're going through. It's no different than Andrea's parents and their obsession in making their daughter's accident into a crime."
"But Kristen wasn't his kid. He's only been in her life a few years. And he—" I stop before I tell Brock what I saw after school that day.
"He what?" Brock asks.
"I'm just saying it's not comparable to Andrea. Her parents raised her. She's their child. Principal Edwards didn't raise Kristen. He's just one of many stepdads she's had."
"Rumor." Brock puts his hands on my shoulders. "I've known you for far less time than Steven knew Kristen and if anything were to happen to you, I would want to seek justice. I'd want to find the person that hurt you and lock them away."
"Even if it was your own son?"
Brock steps back, anger filling his face. "What is wrong with you? Why would you say such a thing?"
"Braden almost hurt me when he found out about Jackson and me. If you hadn't walked in, he might have done something."
"He would never hurt you. Braden likes to make threats but that's where it ends. He never follows through."
Does he really believe that or is he just saying that?
"I'm going to my room," I say. "Let me know if you hear anything more about Jackson."
As I walk off, I hear Braden coming down the stairs.
"Are they gone?" he asks.
"They just left," Brock answers. "You're going to be punished for making such a scene."
"You let the fucking enemy into our house!" Braden yells. "The guy killed Kristen! And you invite him over for breakfast?"
"We don't know that Jackson's the one responsible for her death."
"Who else could it be? They found her at his house! And you're letting Rumor date him? You seriously don't see a problem with that?"
Brock lowers his voice. "Telling her not to will make her want to see him even more. It's best to let it be."
"And find her body in the ocean. Is that what you want? For him to kill Rumor next?"
"Enough! I'm not arguing with you! I'll be in my office."
