Page 91 of For Emery

“Emery?”

“They took him to the station for attacking Wayne.”

“Did you call Cal?”

“Just got off the phone with him. He’s on his way to the station.”

She was silent. “I wish he wasn’t brought into our mess.”

“He wants to be in our mess. He told me.”

“He’s such a good boy,” my mother said.

“He is.”

“What am I gonna tell his parents?” she asked.

“Just tell them the truth. And tell them Cal is on his way there. He’s probably calling them as we speak.”

A silent moment passed between us. I wondered if she was able to breathe easily knowing Wayne was in custody. Knowing she wouldn’t need to hide anymore. Knowing she wouldn’t need to constantly look over her shoulder.

“How do you feel?” I asked.

“Is it wrong to say I feel better?”

“Of course not…Listen, I’ve gotta go, Mama. I want to be at the police station when Jordan’s released.”

“Okay, honey. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I hurried out of my room, stopping short when I found people milling about in the hallway. I lowered my eyes, and tried to walk past them without saying anything.

“Emery?”

Flip stood against the wall outside his room.

“Are you all right?”

“I think so.”

“How about Grady?”

“Do you really care?”

He winced.

I continued walking, desperate to get to the police station. My phone buzzed as soon as I stepped outside. I pulled it out and found a text from Raquel who’d been at her “friend’s” dorm all weekend. What the hell happened?

She gave me no time to respond. Her next text popped up. Grady’s arrest is all over the Internet.

My heart sank.

They’re saying he’ll be off the football team.

Football? I hadn’t even considered how it would affect football for him.

God dammit.