Page 86 of Just a Little White Lie

For some reason, it feels like a life-or-death talk. That sounds way too dramatic, but I know what I mean. Maverick’s life hangs in the balance. With the right choices, he could go on to do great things, or he could keep believing that the world’s out to get him and end up just like his parents—violent, unhappy people who see no way out.

I don’t want that for him.

I desperately want to help him see that the future is his to own. His choices will determine everything.

The urge to cry overwhelms me, and I tip my head back and gaze up at the ceiling, wishing it somehow contained the answers. Staring up at the bland white surface, I silently beg for magical words to appear—pieces of advice that will solve all my problems. Because Maverick isn’t my only one.

Man, I so did not need Luke’s explosive anger this afternoon. Today’s been a rough one, and my brother just made it ten times worse.

I don’t know what I’m going to say to him. I’ll need to think of something to smooth things over, although that feels like an insurmountable challenge.

He’s acting like a douche over this whole thing. What is his problem anyway? Does he not want me with someone amazing… like his best friend, Jack?

I don’t get it. I’d be stoked if Luke ended up with one of my besties. Isn’t that better than me falling for a total stranger he doesn’t even know? At least he trusts and respects Jack.

Or he used to.

I wince, rubbing my forehead and wondering how much damage this is going to cause.

Ugh! I don’t even want to think about the fallout.

With a huff, I shove the problem aside for later and pull my attention back to Maverick’s file. It’s painful, but I need to soak it in. I’m doing everything I can to understand this kid and figure out what makes him tick. I want to reach him in a way that will make him feel like I’m on his side. Which I am. I desperately need him to step up and play ball on this one. I just know if he’s excluded from Dance-Mania, his band of misfits will back him 100 percent. And I need to as well.

“Domestic violence,” I murmur, reading about the incident when the police were called to break up a fistfight between his parents.

Another time, he was reported missing by his sister. He was lost for two full days before they found him hiding in the backyard after a punching match broke out between his father and older brother.

He’s the baby of the family, and his grandmother begged for a spot at Haven Academy. I read through her application letter, and it makes me cry.

Running a finger under my eye, I sniff and push on, going through each incident report at the school. Fistfights, shouting matches with the teachers, unfinished schoolwork, food fight in the dining hall—I can just imagine. A smile curls my lips. I bet Arlo started it and Maverick just got caught up in the craziness. He’s been grounded to the boardinghouse so many times, the guy must never get off the property. I wonder if that makes him feel trapped.

I flick to the final page of incidents for this year. The fight with Ronan today hasn’t been added yet. There’s a spattering of detentions and missed work, but the only other major event from the year was that he broke a camera in his photography class. The teacher is very scathing in his word choices, but as I read between the lines, I’m wondering if it was a total accident. The camera was knocked off the table. It’s not like Maverick was throwing it across the room or smashing it on the floor in anger. I think he just happened to be the one to bump it with his elbow, and the teacher took that as an opportunity to kick Maverick out of the class.

“Hmmmm.” I look up the teacher—Mr. Birchman—and wonder if there’s any way I can talk the guy around. Photography is creative and would be such a positive outlet for Maverick. I don’t want him missing out.

In fact, I don’t want him missing out on anything.

He may have a temper, but he’s a protective, loyal friend. He’s a wonderful dancer. He’s courageous, not afraid to challenge someone. He’s a born leader.

And he’s most definitely not trash.

I think about Ronan’s comments, and my insides writhe in annoyance and then frustration at the unfairness of it all. I know what it’s like to constantly be around people who have no faith in you. Who assume the worst.

Like Luke… but not Jack.

A smile curls my lips. He believes in me, even though I’ve made so many thoughtless, impulsive decisions.

My smile dies when I think about Jack’s reluctance over Maverick. In his eyes, he probably thinks Maverick puts himself in sticky situations too. The kid can be thoughtless and he’s definitely impulsive.

But he didn’t start out with a fighting chance the way I did.

He deserves better.

All the misfits do.

And I bet they have no idea. They don’t even realize how deserving they are.

Deserving of fun and special treats and…

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