Page 69 of The C*ck Down the Block

“Coach, I hate to do this on the first day of camp, but I gotta go.” This afternoon was reviewing game tapes anyway, and I’d watched them all a million and a half times.

He scowled at me. “Get your shit taken care of, and don’t let this get in your head. You may have a personal fiasco on your hands, but you’ve still got to win a fucking championship this year.”

I couldn’t be mad at him, he was right. I had a commitment to the team. But I’d give it all up if it hurt Trixie.

“Rachel,” I muttered under my breath. “If you’re behind this, you’re going to regret it.”

I grabbed my shit from the locker room and found my phone buzzing. When I saw Jules’ name flash across the screen, a new wave of anxiety washed over me.

“Hey, kidlet,” I answered, doing my best to keep my voice steady. “What’s up?”

“Chris, it’s insane over here. The press is everywhere, our yard, your yard, even Trixie’s. They’re shouting and banging on doors. Where’s your security detail? Aren’t they supposed to keep them out? They won’t leave.”

My unflappable little sister who could burn down the world and they’d thank her for it, was freaking out. Her voice was tinged with the kind of fear you get when your personal space has been violated.

“Jesus, Jules, I’m sorry. I don’t know how they got past security. Is everyone okay?” My father was going to flip his shit. He had never been a fan of the press.

“We’re fine. Dad’s ready to blow a gasket and pacing the house like a caged wolf. I know it’s the first day of camp and all, but when are you coming back? You have to do something.”

My blood boiled. I loved that neighborhood. It was more than just a place to live. It was our sanctuary, where family and loved ones should be safe and sound. And someone had violated this sacred space.

“I’ll take care of it, Jules. Promise. Have you seen Trixie? Did she come home from work yet?”

“Her rooster is just standing on the fence crowing at all the reporters, and I’d like to give him a medal for it. They keep trying to shoo him away and he pecks at their faces. But she’s not here. I tried calling the library, and the person who answered just said she wasn’t available and I’m worried.”

“So am I,” I said, a lump forming in my throat. “Listen, lock the doors and stay inside. I’m dealing with this right now.”

I hung up and turned to Maguire and Johnston. “I’ve got to get home. They’ve invaded my neighborhood, and I need to make sure everyone is safe.”

Maguire’s eyes widened. “They’re at your home now? This is escalating faster than we thought.”

Johnston clenched his fists. “This is crossing a line. Your family doesn’t deserve to be dragged into this.”

“You’re damn right they don’t,” I said, my voice hardening. “I’m going to protect what’s mine. Let’s finish up here, and then I’m taking this fight where it belongs. Home.”

With that, I left the field, my thoughts a whirlwind of anger, concern, and resolve. Whatever this scandal was, it had just gotten deeply personal.

I tried calling Trixie again from the car. Still no answer. If anything had happened to her, I’d be the one burning down the world.

AITA?

TRIXIE

I was in the middle of pulling titles from the shelves for the next teen book club meeting when I noticed something weird. Side glances, hushed conversations that stopped when I walked by. My colleagues seemed... uncomfortable around me, like I was suddenly an outsider. Even the regular patrons looked at me differently.

“Ms. Moore, could you please come to my office?” Karter’s voice came over the intercom, icy and formal. We never used the intercom for anything other than library announcements like the fifteen and five minute warning of when the library was closing. He couldn’t have just called the phone at my desk?

A sense of dread settled over me. Whatever was happening, it wasn’t good. I took a deep breath and made my way to Karter’s office.

“Close the door,” he commanded, not bothering to look up from his desk.

My heart pounded in my chest as I complied. “Is something wrong, Karter?”

He finally looked up, his eyes colder than I’d ever seen them. “Trixie, effective immediately, your employment here is terminated for conduct unbecoming a city employee.”

“What? I don’t understand. What did I do?” My voice broke on the last word with a gasp, as if I’d just watched someone crack the spines on a whole row of brand new paperbacks.

“That’s not up for discussion,” Karter said curtly sliding an envelope across the table. “Your final paycheck.”

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