The Rock Season (24 page)

I laughed a little, but I was worried. “I’m just concerned that he’s not going to tell his parents. I think Shireen and Ryan will be angry when they find out.”

Schroeder held up his hands. “You’re right. I’ll talk to him. I’m going to give you my number. Any time he gets belligerent, call me. He sort of listens to me. I can get in touch with his parents if need be.

I took a deep breath for courage. “Thank you, Schroeder. I’m worried if I’m too pushy, he’ll send me away but I kind of have a hard time keeping my mouth shut.”

Schroeder laughed hard and said, “And that’s exactly why you’re perfect for him. I’m going to take off, but I’m just down the street, ok?”

I walked him out and took another deep breath. Aaron was still out and it was pretty late. I climbed the stairs to check on the boys only to find both of them already crashed. I turned out their light and grabbed a pillow and blanket from Aaron’s parents’ room so I could camp out on the couch. I wanted to be close in case he needed me.

I gave Aaron one last kiss on his forehead before falling asleep. I had vivid, crazy dreams and didn’t get much sleep. I shot up at dawn, trying to listen for a sound. Aaron was mumbling in his sleep and his forehead was damp from sweating. I cleaned him up gently so as not to wake him, but his eyes opened wide with fear.

“I’m sorry I startled you. Are you ok?”

He grabbed for my hand and exhaled. “I dreamt they got you, too. Stevie...It wasn’t your car they destroyed, it was you!” Tears spilled from his eyes as he tried to sit up.

“Just rest, baby. I’m fine. I’m ok. It was just a dream.”

I tried to comfort him, but the poor guy was in pain and uncomfortable. “What can I do, baby?”

He just looked up at me, not quite awake, and looked frightened. Finally, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, falling back asleep. I sighed and figured since it was 6:30, I should start breakfast. Patrick came down at 7:00 and looked as wrecked as I felt.

“Did you sleep, Patrick?” He yawned and shrugged.

“Not much. Peter grunted and groaned every time he moved and I had to help him up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Did Aaron get any rest?”

“Some. Probably only because of the drugs. His back is going to be killing him later. I’m going to need your help getting him dressed. I think he wanted us to take you and your brother into school today.”

Patrick shook his head. “He can’t go, Stevie. He can’t sit for long, he can’t move around. I’ll just go in by myself.”

I wasn’t going to argue with him. I figured Aaron would make a determination when he woke up. I had breakfast done a few minutes later and I served Patrick and myself, then I went to wake Aaron.

“Hey baby, I’m sorry to wake you, but Patrick is up and ready for school.”

Aaron’s brain was slow to come back online. He rubbed his hands over his face and tried to sit up, causing himself considerable pain. He breathed through it and then said quietly, “Can you bring him in here?”

I did as he asked and Patrick helped him up to go to the bathroom. He was in so much pain. I wished I could make him more comfortable.

When they came back, Aaron went to the kitchen and sat, propping his leg on a chair. I brought him a pillow to put under it and he gave me a pained smile for the effort.

“Peter can’t go to school, dude. He barely slept and he can’t sit for long. I’ll just go in.”

Aaron grimaced and shook his head. “I don’t like it. And I don’t think I can get down there to meet with your principal…”

I looked between them and offered a suggestion that wouldn’t cause them to be at an impasse. “How about I take Patrick to school and meet with the principal? We can call you on speaker and you can tell the principal about your concerns.”

Aaron looked from me to Patrick and back. “I guess that would-”

“No. I don’t need a babysitter. I can handle it. I’ll go to school and come home.”

Aaron frowned. “She’s not going as your babysitter, brother, and I know you can ‘handle’ it, but I don’t want any trouble for you.”

Patrick stuck his chin out and his eyes grew dark. “I’m not afraid. Let them try to fuck with me.”

“See, that’s exactly why I don’t feel good about you going to school, little man. I don’t want you fighting.”

“Yeah, dickhead,” said Peter, who had just come down the stairs. “Maybe we should both stay home until I can get around and asshole over there is able to go meet the principal.”

Patrick did not look pleased with this scenario. “I can’t get behind in my classes! Just let me go, Aaron. I promise I’ll walk away from anything that happens.”

God, I hoped this wasn’t a mistake. “Alright. But I want Stevie to follow you and she can meet with the principal and they’ll call me on speaker. I’m not having you there without the staff knowing what the hell happened here. For all I know, the idiots in the Escape go to your fucking school!”

Patrick huffed out a breath. “Don’t recall seeing one, but I promise I’ll keep my eyes open.”

Aaron did not seem comfortable with this at all. The boys finished eating and went upstairs. Aaron ate some eggs and took some of his grandmother’s pain remedy. He didn’t want to be foggy any longer.

“Maybe I should just go,” he said, shaking his head. “I hate putting you in the middle of all this.”

I sat down next to him and covered his hands. “Aaron, would you say that to me if we’d been together for a long time or if we were engaged?”

He frowned and looked at me with his head cocked to the side. “What do you mean?”

“You love me, right?” He nodded. “And I love you. Forget the fact that we’ve only been together for a short time. Isn’t this what we’re supposed to do for each other?”

A smile teased the corners of his mouth. “You’re just saying that because I’m a stinky gimp.”

I burst out laughing and stepped over to wrap him in my arms. “You are a stinky gimp! We’ll get you cleaned up today, I promise. Even if I have to take you out back and hose you down.”

He put his hands on my arms and squeezed. “I do love you, very much.” His eyes were full of so much frustration and fear.

I kissed his head and said, “I know. Let me get Patrick to school. I’m going to bring you your cell, ok? You’ll be ok for a little while?”

He nodded. He looked haggard. His stubble was pretty thick, he had dark circles under his eyes… I had to find a way to take care of him when I got back.

I dressed hurriedly and told Peter to go sit with Aaron and make sure he didn’t try to do stuff he wasn’t supposed to. I told Patrick I’d follow him in the truck so he could drive himself to school. He thanked me and apologized for earlier.

“It’s not about you, Stevie. I just don’t want people to think I’m afraid.”

I told him I completely understood. I pulled up in front of Hayward Catholic High School and was immediately impressed. It looked very much like the classic brick building schools one would find in other parts of the country. It had an Ivy League feel to it. I went inside the office and asked to see the principal. The secretary was very friendly and asked me to wait just a few minutes. After the final bell rang and the halls grew quiet outside, I felt my phone buzz.

made it 2 class

I felt so much better knowing Patrick was inside and safe. The principal, Mr. San Juan, met me at the counter and shook my hand. He appeared to be not much older than Aaron and was smartly dressed in a suit and tie.

“I am pleased to meet you, Miss Wilson. Come in, please.” He showed me into his office and motioned for me to sit at the conference table.

“Thank you so much for meeting with me. I’m a friend of the McShanes and the boys’ brother, Aaron, asked me to come and talk to you about what happened over the weekend. He also asked that we call him on a conference line so he can speak with you.”

“Of course, Miss Wilson. Can I ask why he wasn’t able to come in person?”

I exhaled and said, “Because he’s home with a broken knee and Peter is home with a broken nose and bruised ribs.”

Any hesitation he had to helping me was gone. He asked me for Aaron’s number and dialed it.

Aaron answered and he said, “Aaron? This is Vince San Juan, from Hayward Catholic? I’m so sorry to hear you are injured.”

Aaron cleared his throat and said, “Thanks for calling, Vince. Stevie will tell you the story, if that’s ok. I’m a little groggy.”

I gave him all the gory details, including information about the party and the police investigation, as Aaron and I had agreed. He listened intently and when I was finished, he looked grim.

“Aaron, this is terrible. I am so sorry. And with your parents gone, I know this is a tremendous strain on you.” Vince’s eyes met mine and he shook his head.

“Well, my miracle is sitting right there in front of you. I’d be more of a mess if it weren’t for her.”

I felt myself blushing and Vince laughed.

“Ah, I see. Well, I hope you are being a good patient.”

Aaron grumbled, I giggled, and Vince gave me a knowing smile. “What can I do on this end to help?”

Aaron asked him to keep an eye on Patrick and to have the teachers email Peter his work so he didn’t fall behind. “And if there’s anything you can send with Stevie, that would be great. I’m assuming Peter will miss the next couple of weeks of Water Polo, for sure. I’ll talk to Coach Hammond about that.”

Vince assured Aaron he would do all he could. After we hung up, Vince turned to me and blew out a frustrated breath.

“I am so sorry this has all happened. The boys involved in the case are not students here, but they have friends that attend. I will let their teachers know. This is a highly sensitive case and I have to be careful about confidentiality, but I can tell you that the twins were incredibly brave and it pisses me off that they are receiving any sort of backlash for saving this girl. Any kids who mess with them will face expulsion and arrest. We don’t tolerate bullying of any kind.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Thank you. I’ll be staying with them so if there’s anything I can do, please let me know. I know Aaron is planning to tell his parents today what happened, but he doesn’t want them to come home. I’m worried about that, but it’s his decision.”

Vince shook his head. “I’ve known Aaron since we were students here together. He’s stubborn, but he is a very good man. I know he’ll do the best for his brothers. Thank you for coming in today.”

I gave him my phone number and he promised to have the teachers get in touch with Peter.

I drove Mr. McShane’s truck back to the house and pulled up alongside my ruined car. It looked a lot worse during the day. I knew it could be fixed, but I couldn’t help but feel like it was an omen of things to come.

Aaron

I was just finishing up on the phone with the alarm company when Stevie came in. She smiled at me, looking concerned. I opened my arms to her and she came in for a big hug.

“I called the guy who handles our alarm system at the shop and he cut me a deal. He’s going to have his workers out this afternoon to install the alarm system. I also talked to Mom. She was shocked, angry, worried, but agreed to stay there when I told them you were taking care of us. So thank you. A thousand times thank you, love.”

She kissed the top of my head, getting tickled by the few hairs that were starting to grow in. “I’m glad I’m here. I’d say it feels good, but I hate the circumstances.” She was quiet for a minute, and then spoke in a hesitant voice.

“Did you talk to the DA? Did you tell your folks about the case?” She stepped back and walked over to grab a drink from the fridge.

“I left a message for the D.A. And yes, I told Mom we heard there was a chance the case was going to trial. I may not have mentioned that the two things were connected, but you were right. I needed to tell them. And as soon as she tells Pops he’ll put two and two together. I just hope they don’t have to come home.”

She handed me a glass of water and stepped behind me. Her talented hands went to work on my shoulders and neck.

“Mmmmmm, that feels so good.”

She worked on a few tight areas for quite a while. I was starting to get sleepy again when Peter came grunting down the stairs.

“I never knew just how important your ribs are. I can’t do anything without it hurting. Dammit. Hey Asshole, want me to help you shower? You look like shit.”

I laughed and looked at him.

“I don’t think you’ll be helping me with anything, but thanks. Stevie talked to Mr. San Juan. He’s going to have your teachers email you so keep checking, alright?”  

He nodded. “Thanks, Stevie.”

He walked over and gave her an awkward hug, which she returned with a surprised smile.

“You’re welcome, Peter. And if you need any help, I’ll be here, ok? I know I’m not a teacher right now, but I have done it for about six years. I know a little.”

“That’s right! At Palo Alto High School?”  

She nodded, smiling. “Yep. But not anymore. And I’m not sure if I’ll go back to teaching for a while. I’m kind of enjoying writing. Which reminds me… Aaron, is there a computer in the house I can use? I need to message Maryland.”

“You can use my laptop,” Peter offered. “We have a desktop in our room I can use for my homework.”

He winced a little and Stevie raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you take any medicine yet?”  

He shook his head. She handed him some ibuprofen and he grabbed a sports drink from the fridge. “I’m going to go do some reading for World Lit.”

“Oh yeah,” she asked. “What are you reading?” He told her Othello. She got a dreamy expression. “I love that play. My students really like discussing it. Let me know what you think.”

He nodded at her, kind of looking confused.

I laughed. “He’s probably worried you’ll know if he only reads the Spark notes. Nicely played.”

She gave me a silly bow and then yawned. “Baby? What do you say we get you upstairs and nap for a little while before the alarm guys get here? I gotta think you didn’t sleep great in that chair.”

She was so right. My back was all kinked up and my hip was killing me on top of the ache from my leg. Her shoulder massage loosened up my neck, thankfully.