Page 142 of Released from the Sin Bin

“I need to see him,” I say before he can say no. “I need closure.”

With a heavy sigh, he stands and puts on his coat. “Let’s go.”

Sergeant Calder drives us to the hospital and takes me through the back to avoid any news cameras still parked outside.

Briar Creek’s Mayor is in the hospital after getting beaten almost to death. It’s the biggest news this town has come across since the great squirrel outbreak on the outdoor hockey rink in the park. I may have had something to do with covering the rink with nuts to lure the squirrels on that one. It took a long time to get them out.

Officers stand outside the empty hallway with a few nurses keeping watch as Calder leads me to the room. There’s no concern for me coming to visit my father since the reason he’s here has been kept hidden.

“I can’t leave you alone with him, but I’ll stand by the door.” He lets me into the room and watches carefully for what I’ll do.

Dad looks up and laughs with his swollen face, unable to move when he sees me. He’s cuffed to the bed with bandages on his face and chest under the hospital gown.

“Are you here to finish the job?” He slurs with a muffled laugh until he’s coughing. Hacking up his lung, he leans over and spits into a small pail at the floor. “Are you happy with what you see?” He spits again with a grunt.

“No.” I sit down in the chair next to the bed. “I’m not happy to see the man that was supposed to be a role model for me, be the monster he is.”

He scoffs and rolls his swollen eye.

“I was making you a man.” He pulls at the cuffs to point to his chest. “You were fucking weak.”

“You’re the weak one, picking on those who can’t or won’t fight back. And I’m nothing like you.”

He clenches his fist and pulls to make the rail on the bed shake. Calder steps forward, but stops to keep watch.

“You are nothing.” I stand over him. “You’re done in this town, and in our lives. I hope you rot for what you did to her.”

Janisa’s smile flashes in my head. Be Strong.

I would love to pound into him. To throw all my hatred at him, but I’m better than him.

I’m not him, and he doesn’t have any power over me.

“Carter, come back here.” He commands at my back, but I keep walking away. “You worthless dumb shit, get back here. I’m talking to you.”

I don’t turn back, freeing myself of the last bit of string he held.

It’s over. It’s all over.

Gentry’s car flies on these roads with the slightest touch of the pedal. I left the house without my phone, but Willa should be at the arena by now.

There’s only a couple of hours until game time, and the guys have to get ready and suit up to play.

I’m in my sweatpants and sweatshirt, but it’s better to show up on time than to worry about going home to change into my suit and tie. I don’t bother with worrying about anything else. Coach won’t let me play, but at least I can cheer my team on.

Running down the hall past the press, I’m grabbed by my hood and thrown against the brick wall.

“Where’s my car?” Gentry’s wild eyes search my face and body for any incriminating evidence.

“It’s in the parking lot.” I hold my hands up and dangle the keys out for him. “Safe and sound.”

“Fuck.” He grabs the keys and lets me go. “Don’t ever fucking do that again. I had a shit time getting my mom here without a car.”

“Shit, I’m sorry.” I hold his shoulder. “Is she alright?”

“Dude, don’t be weird.” He shakes me off. “And yeah, she’s fine.” He looks at me like I’ve gone nuts and heads into the locker room to get changed.

I run past the door to head to Coach Renan’s office. I owe him an explanation, and to find out what he wants to do with me.

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