Page 97 of Out of the Shadow

“You’re all over the news, and so is thatrealitytelevision show you filmed.”

I guess she hasn’t gotten over her disapproval of my career choice. Well, too bad—it was the best damn decision I’ve ever made. The first part of her statement catches in my brain. “What do you mean I’m all over the news?”

“The whole story’s being reported by every news outlet. Talks about how Trevor hit you over the head with a baseball bat. Something about drugs and money. I always thought that boy was bad news.”

Really? ’Cause growing up Mom always seemed more than delighted to pawn me off to his family for meals. Although Trevor’s description of his home life has made me rethink my interpretation of the past. “Drugs messed him up, Mom. Made him do crazy stuff.” But they donotexcuse what he did to Angie. And, after all, it’s not like Mom hasn’t had her own run-ins with drugs and alcohol.

“Well, I don’t want to fight with you. Are you really fine? Should I come out there and bring you some chicken soup?”

“No.” The word rushes out of my mouth without thought. “I mean, the doctors here are very professional and they said I should be out soon. You don’t have to come here.”

“Well, if you’re sure…”

“I am. I’m good.” I pick up the Yankees teddy bear and hug it close to my heart. I’d be better if Angie were here.

“Fine. We’ll catch up soon. Thirteen is waiting for me by the pool. Ta!”

Guess she feels like she’s done her motherly duty to her injured son. I glance at the flowers. Some family I have.

My mind returns to the reason I’m here. Trevor. After hearing the whole story, I feel a touch of remorse about the way I treated him. Maybe I shouldn’t have broken ties with him like that. We’d been friends for nearly a lifetime. Of course, it turns out we weren’t really friends at all. I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that he’s been jealous of me for a long time. But my anger about what he did to Angie pre-empts my guilt. He deserves everything that’s coming to him. Maybe this will get him straight.

My phone rings, pulling me out of my musings. It’s Blaine. “How are you feeling? I can’t believe Trevor would do something like this!”

I give him all the gory details since he’s known Trevor as long as I have. He agrees with me that Trevor needs help—from prison.

Blaine approaches another subject. “The media picked up on your attack.”

“Yeah. So I’ve heard.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t contain this. It’s a huge story since you’re, well, the son of Braxton…” His voice trails off. “Anyway, with all the hoopla, the upside is Let’s Do It! has pushed your series up. It’s now scheduled to start airing in a month.”

Even though I haven’t turned on the television or checked the internet, I’m not surprised the studio would want to jump on the publicity bandwagon. “I get it. Business.”

“I wish it could be different, man.”

“Me, too. But you have to play the hand you’ve been dealt.” I consider my last statement and mumble, “And so do I.”

My call waiting beeps. “Geez, Blaine, I’ve got another call. We’ll talk again soon.” I click over to my next caller.

Diego’s voice is an octave higher than normal, more like when he was a kid. “King! Mom made me wait to call you, but I couldn’t wait any longer. How are you? If I were already at college, you know I’d be at the hospital right now. Are you okay?”

“I’m doing just fine. My head hurts like a bitch, but other than that, all is good. I should be released in a few days.” We talk for another five minutes and hang up.

Holding the quiet phone in my hand, I turn on Do Not Disturb. The only person who can reach me now is Angie. Everyone else can wait.

A couple of days pass and my strength returns, making me itchy to get back to my real life. Angie has visited me every day, but we haven’t talked about anything important. Too many doctors and nurses around all the damn time.

Leo knocks on my door and I wave him in.

“You’re looking a lot better than you did the last time I saw you.”

“Thanks.” I point to the visitor’s chair, which he takes. Although I saw him the first day I was here, we haven’t had the chance to talk alone since everything went down with Trevor. “I need to thank you for doing what you did to get Angie out safely.”

“Of course, I’d do anything for my sister.” He pauses. “And you.”

His words hit me straight in the gut. I mean something to this guy. It strikes me that Leo, whom I’ve known for all of a month, is more real of a friend to me than some of the people I’ve known all my life. I cover up my girlie feelings by coughing. “That means a lot to me.”

“By the way, you did an amazing job in there with Trevor. You kept him talking, and got him to bring you to Angie. Got it all on tape. Although,” he clears his throat, “I feel awful that he hit you before we could get inside.”

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