Page 5 of Fighting the Odds

“I do! He’s more concerned with being popular,” Zander shouts, stepping over to the fridge and pulling out a soda.

“Enough! I want all three of you to go to your rooms until it’s time for dinner. I seriously want you to think about your behavior since getting here.” With Dad’s words, we all walk out silently, with our heads down.

“What do we do?” John asks quietly as we head up the stairs.

I go straight to my room and shut the door, not wanting to deal with anyone. Sitting down on the edge of my bed, I pull my phone out of my pocket.

Me: Hey man, can’t meet tonight. Dad is making me stay for dinner.

Wes: Can you sneak out?

Me: Nah, he’s pissed. Some shit went down this afternoon.

Wes: Fuck, I was wanting to celebrate.

Me: What are you celebrating?

Wes: Getting back at that bitch.

Me: Sierra?

Wes: Duh, who did you think I was talking about? Guess I could just get Savannah over here to suck my cock.

Me: What did you do? What did she do that has you so mad at her? You never told me?

Wes: Called CPS. She’s a fucking slut and ruined my life. Ran into her druggie aunt and she gave me all the ammo I needed.

Wes: The skank hit on me, then spilled all kinds of information about Sierra. It was epic.

Me: You were the one that called. They showed up while we were there. There was some guy at her house and she was beaten up.

Wes: Yeah, what does that matter? Looks like she’s got a pimp or screwed someone else over. Don’t tell me you’re pussy whipped like your brothers?

Me: No, just wondered what she did to you.

Wes: Look I GTG. Call me tomorrow.

Why won’t he just say what she did? Could I be wrong for taking Wesley’s word?

A sinking feeling in my gut tells me I’ve been wrong about Sierra.

I sit in silence, running through every encounter since meeting her. The events from Sunday come to the forefront, and as I look back with untainted eyes, not once did she ever flirt with my dad. I created that whole scene in my head, with the poison Wes and everyone else at school fed me.

Falling backward on my bed, I run my hands through my hair, pulling at the ends in frustration. I’m a fucking dick! Of all the things Sierra said, the only thing that still confuses me is her secretiveness about where she works. Knowing that she’s working, going to school, and caring for her sister is extraordinary, especially since she’s not even eighteen.

It’s then reality hits me. I’ve been the villain the entire time to a girl going through hell. Not only that, but I contributed. Now she’s dealing with the aftermath of a phone call that’s going to change her life.

I’m an asshole. How am I going to make this right? I just hope Dad can do something with his connections.

Chapter 3

Braxton

Ipace back and forth across my room, while Zander sits on the edge of my bed, his face buried in his hands, resting on a cold pack of peas.

So many questions run through my head. Is Sierra back home? Are Sam and her okay? Why did CPS show up today? Memories of being in foster care flood my thoughts. I was lucky to land a few good homes, but not all were.

“I’m going to text her.” Zan exhales deeply, picking his phone up from the bed, and his fingers fly over the screen.

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