Beyond (BOOK 1.5) (6 page)

"I don't want to do it, but...I'm not sure what else to try." I go for one last appeal. "Dale deserves to go to the college he wants. Don't you think it's stupidly unfair for you to get in and for him to miss out?"

A tear dribbles out the edge of Adam's left eye, breaking him out of his stupor. He brushes it away and sniffs, obviously embarrassed.

"Dale's a good guy," he finally mumbles.

"Yes, he is. And he could have really put you in the shit last year, but he kept his mouth shut. We both did."

"I know." Adam nods. "And I'm grateful."

"How grateful?" I cross my arms and pierce him with a pointed look.

Adam sighs and scrubs a hand over his face.

"Nicole, my dad will kill me."

"Your dad's already killing you." I don't know where that came from. It just slipped out. I swallow and look up at Adam. His white face is now ashen. "I'm sorry. I just mean, he seems to have a real stronghold on you...and I get the impression you don't like it."

"I don't."

I nearly fall over. Did Adam just admit the truth to me?

Well, that was unexpected.

My hand is back on his arm in an instant, my voice ringing with an elixir of desperation and hope. "Then do something about it."

"What?" He spits out a frustrated sigh. "You know I can't challenge my dad...and I can't go to the mayor either."

"You're scared of him, aren't you?" I make sure my voice sounds sympathetic rather than accusing.

It doesn't matter. Adam knows I'm talking about his dad and scowls at me like I'm the Green Witch from Oz.

"Adam." I squeeze his arm. "Please help me. Help Dale. Help—" I sigh, unsure whether to say the last part. I let go of his arm and pick at my thumbnail. "Do you remember what I told you last year...when you came to see me at the hospital?"

His hand tightens into a fist. "Nicky." He holds his breath then thumps the work bench lightly. "I can't forget it. I think about it every damn day...because you're right. I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I've lived my dad's life...not mine."

He grabs his blond locks and rests his elbows on the bench, looking desperate, unhappy...torn. I almost want to wrap him in a hug. Almost.

"I just...I can't."

"I know that facing your dad is like hell scary. Facing the mayor is probably even worse."

"My dad would find out."

Like duh!

I press my lips together before forging on. "I know it's easier to stay silent, but please. Please just think about it? I won't drag you to the mayor. Let's just start with you asking your dad not to be such a jackass. If he doesn't listen to you, then I'll have to come up with a plan B."

"You mean giving me up to a higher authority." His voice is dark, but I don't miss the quiver.

I squeeze his shoulder. "I told you I don't want to do that."

"You should."

His bleak look makes me sigh.

"Adam, I have to be honest with you." I bite the edge of my lip. "Your wimpy behavior bugs the shit out of me sometimes and yes, I hate that you haven't owned up for what you did, but behind all the crap... I know that you're actually a really good guy. I won't forget how we used to hang out as kids. You were one of my favorite people back then."

An instant grin spreads across his face. I spot the edge of it from behind his hand. "Do you remember the water balloon fight we had in your living room?"

I burst with laughter. "Oh my gosh, I'd totally forgotten about that."

"I thought your dad was going to kill us." Adam shakes his head.

Giggles ripple through my stomach. "He was so bright red. I was waiting for steam to start coming out of his ears."

"He was cussing up a storm. I'd never heard an adult swear like that before...and then your mom came in..."

"And threw a water balloon at him!"

"And told him to
stop cursing at the kids
." We say the last five words in unison and laugh together for a moment.

"That was so epic," Adam mumbles. "I'll never, ever forget it, because I remember even though your dad looked ready to explode, I didn't feel afraid."

My heart squeezes into a tight knot as Adam drops his hands. His eyes are transfixed on the counter top, and I know he's thinking about his dad. He's never going to go for this. Sheriff Hutton has a hold on Adam, and I hate him for it.

I want to tell Adam that I'm going to the mayor this afternoon, but I can't form the words. My pity-o-meter is on overdrive. I blink at helpless tears and can't think of anything else to say. All I can do is grab my bag and silently leave the room.

Chapter 8

This is hopeless.

Frickin' Adam! Did I honestly think he'd help me?

My plan sucks, and I'm not going to be able to give Dale what he so desperately wants. I step out the door and lean against the wall. My fingers are quivering as I pull out my phone and text my boyfriend. I tell him I can't make lunch and will catch him after school. I know he'll be disappointed, but I just can't face him right now. One look at those compassionate eyes and there'll be no stopping the waterworks.

I sniff and inhale slowly, trying to ward off the tears. Why the hell am I doing this anyway? I don't want Dale to move to New York!

It's what he wants. What he needs.

And I love him.

The words whistle through my brain. They're so clear and sure; I can't miss them.

I close my eyes and lightly thump my head against the wall. Bad idea. I rub my temples, willing the familiar headache away. I guess I'm just going to have to see the mayor on my own.

Checking my watch, I try to calculate how much time I have left before the end of lunch. I could try skipping out again, and if I miss 6
^th
period, that's no big deal. I could still make it back in time for Dale to take me to physio. I poke out my tongue, hating the idea of physio. I'm so over it. The only good thing about going four times a week is that Dale now works out beside me, presenting me with a decent display of eye candy. I'd be all over him at the end of each session if my body wasn't so wasted from forcing my knee back to its former self.

My phone dings and I quickly read Dale's message. It's sweet and concerned as per usual, making me smile. But a frown soon appears as I rub my thumb over the locked screen. I slip it into the side pocket of my bag, deciding to reply later when I've thought of something comical to say. Right now, I'm feeling too frustrated.

I pull in a breath and start off down the hallway. If I am going to get to the mayor's office today, I need to get moving. I start playing with different ways of telling the mayor my story, hating each one. This is going to suck!

"Nicky, wait."

Adam's quiet words scuttle down the hallway after me.

I slowly spin back to face him. His bag is over his shoulder. He's clutching it nervously, tapping his index finger on the shoulder strap.

I don't say anything, just wait for him to catch up with me. It doesn't take long with his tall strides. He peers down at me, his forehead scrunched with worry.

"Okay, I'll come."

My mouth drops open. "You'll come? To talk to your dad?"

Adam shakes his head. He almost looks as if he's in physical pain. His eyes are so filled with anguish. "No," he whispers. "I'll come with you to talk to the mayor."

"Are you—I mean, are you sure?"

He swallows and looks away from me, studying some speck on the wall for a second. His finger is still tapping. The rhythm is steady, but not soothing. He looks like a jittery mess.

"Yeah, Nicky. I'm sure."

He sounds anything but. I decide not to let this bother me and turn towards a side door that will lead us to the student parking lot.

We don't say anything as we drive out of the school. I don't know if anyone spotted us. I hope they didn't. I can just imagine the crap storm that would result if word spread that Nicole Tepper was seen getting into Adam Hutton's car. Dale would have a conniption if he knew. He's a pretty forgiving guy, but he makes sure to keep me as far from Adam as he can. He still doesn't trust him.

I peek a glance at Adam as he turns onto Big Bear Boulevard and starts heading for City Hall. His knuckles are white, his jaw clenched tight.

"You know, they probably won't let us just waltz into his office."

"I know." Adam's voice is thin.

"Do you think you'll lose your nerve if we have to make an appointment or something?"

"I'm not leaving 'til I tell him." The words only just make it out through his gritted teeth.

I look out the window, slightly bug eyed. What the hell have I started?

This is good, right? I mean Adam should have 'fessed up six months ago when this all went down. I'm not being mean by forcing him to do this. I'm not technically forcing him to do it, am I?

Oh Nicky, shut the hell up! Just think about Dale.

I force images of the world's best human into my brain, playing with a memory from last weekend when we went for a really flat, gentle hike through the forest near the back of my place. He's determined not to let me fear the environment I nearly died in, so he has been coaxing me to walk amongst the trees. Last weekend was great. My gimpy leg made it further than it ever had without hurting and during our "rest" break, I was thoroughly rewarded on the picnic blanket Dale had laid out for us. I blush, my skin growing warm as I remember his hands sliding up my jean-clad thigh, his lips warm and intense on my mouth, the weight of his body on mine, making me feel safe and secure...the way he had to suddenly roll away and collect himself before he went too far. I love that I can do that to him. I guess it's kind of mean, but it's good confirmation that he's into me. I try to cling to every one of those moments.

The fact that in a few months’ time they will cease to exist nearly cuts off my air supply. I try to counter the mild panic attack sweeping over me by slowing my breathing and blinking at my rapid tears. Thankfully, Adam doesn't notice. He's too distracted by something in the rearview mirror.

"Oh shit." He slams the wheel, making me jump.

That's when I hear the siren. Reluctantly, Adam flicks on his indicator, and we pull to the side of the road.

"Is that your dad?" I swivel to look out the back window and wince.

Adam doesn't say anything, just taps his finger on the wheel and looks straight ahead.

A few seconds later, his door is clicked open and Sheriff Hutton is leaning into the car. His stern glare increases tenfold when he sees me in the passenger seat.

"What the hell is she doing in your car?"

I totally get why Adam is so scared of his dad. The look on Sheriff Hutton's face screams murder. I can't maintain eye contact.

"Get out of the car. Both of you." We have to obey the steely voice. Much to my disgust, we both jump to do his bidding. I try to counter my direct obedience, by slumping against the car and throwing the sheriff a black look.

I fold my arms across my chest. Adam stands next to me, his hands in his pockets, looking at the ground.

"Where are you two going?"

We keep our lips sealed. I glance at Adam, but he won't look at me.

"You should be in school."

"It's our lunch break. Seniors are allowed out for lunch." I spit the words at him.

The Sheriff approaches me on swift feet. "Last I checked, you're not a senior, Miss Tepper."

I roll my eyes and lean away from him.

"Now what are you getting my boy into?"

My eyes dart towards the angry face then back to the ground. I'm really trying to pull off nonchalant, but the sheriff is making it damn difficult. My pulse is so fast, I think my veins might start breakdancing. I rub my elbow, a nervous habit I've picked up since the accident.

He leans in closer. I can smell the black coffee on his breath. "You trying to get my boy in trouble?" His granite stare is fully nailing into me. I try to twist away, but he moves to invade my space again.

"Get out of my face!" I push his shoulder.

He looks incredulous as he steps back and reaches for his cuffs. "You attacking an officer of the law?"

"What? Don't be stupid. You're using intimidation tactics!"

"Tell me where you're going."

"Forget it. It's none of your business."

"My boy's not my business?" The sheriff points at his son before getting into my space again. Slamming a hand on the car either side of my body, he leans forward, trapping me. "You better not be stirring up trouble, girl. Remember what I told you yesterday."

My gaze turns molten. I can feel it. "And remember what I told you."

A tendon in his neck pings tight. His mouth makes this horrible shape, and his fist rises into the air. This fully freaks me out. I'm about to scream until an iron grip clamps around the Sheriff's wrist.

"Dad, stop."

Adam's voice starts out soft, but the sheriff is still straining against his son. His menacing whisper is growing darker by the second. "I'm going to finish you, you little bitch."

"Dad!" Adam yanks his father back. "Stop!"

The sheriff's eyes round with disbelief and then flash with sorrow, before growing malevolent once more. "Don't let her talk you into doing this, son. You get back in that car and head back to school. Right now!"

"No, Dad." Adam's voice is quivering, but he stands tall in spite of this.

"Adam, get back in the car!"

"I'm not going back to school. I have to do this."

The sheriff's face crumples, his shoulders sagging just a little. "No, son." His voice softens, replaced with a gentle, persuasive tone. "You don't have to do this. You don't have to throw your life away." He gently grips Adam's shoulder. "I won't let you. You've worked too hard. You're too brilliant."

"Dad." Adam's voice breaks and he looks as though he's about to burst into tears.

"It's okay, son." The sheriff pulls him into a firm embrace. "I'll write the reference letter, okay? I'll give her what she wants...and then this will all be over. We can move forward."