Page 6 of Pit Stop

Five

16 years old

Tillman

The alarm next to my bed goes off every five minutes like clockwork until I finally manage to pull my lazy ass out of bed. Well, I guess I’m not technically lazy, I just had a very late night. I roll over and silence the alarm. As I sit up in bed, I study my surroundings. It’s the same thing I do every morning because all of this seems like it just might be too good to be true. I had no idea that my attempting to steal something to eat would end me up here—in my own room and under the wing of Emmet. I guess it was a blessing in disguise.

My room is a decent size, bigger than any I’ve ever been able to call mine before. I have a full-size bed with a dark green bedding set. A desk, dresser, and nightstand. A TV sits on my dresser. The room also comes with a small closet and an attached bathroom. Everything is still set up like a hotel, so it works perfectly for me. Two of my walls are painted slate gray and the other two a crisp, clean white. There’s a large window that looks down onto the street below. It’s not much of a sight, but it’s mine in a roundabout way. I pull back the blackout curtains and let the sunshine in.

I’m the only Street King Prince that attends public school but it’s also necessary. The only way to keep the state off my case is if I stay out of trouble, attend school, and pass my classes. I have to show up at my foster home which is still with Paul and Charlene since ‘I’m just so happy there’ according to my caseworker, for evaluations and whatnot. As long as Paul still gets the monthly check for ‘housing’ me to support his gambling, porn, and alcohol addictions, he stays off my case.

There’s a knock on my door and Emmet enters. He still looks the same as he did two years ago. “From what I heard, you had a late night.”

“Yes, sir, but everything is taken care of. I should be able to get you the graph and spreadsheet of the earnings this afternoon before we head to work,” I tell him. Once I had proven myself trustworthy and Emmet found out that I was naturally good with numbers, he gave me more responsibilities. Every week that we collect from the races and illegal gambling and clubs on our territory I make a graph and spreadsheet to show the flow of cash. Emmet loves it and it helps earn my keep.

Emmet nods his head in approval. “Perfect. Tonight, you and Decker will head out to collect the rent from the rental properties. I’d like you to do the same with that money, but can you add the cost of utilities to it, as well?”

“Yes, sir, of course I can.” My smile is large. I like to be given new tasks that make me feel like I actually do something to help Emmet, the way he helped me. It’s nowhere near close enough but it’s a start. It also makes me feel smart and that’s not something I’m used to.

“Great. Get ready for school. I’ll give you a ride since you had a late night. Is thirty minutes enough time for you to get ready?” I nod my head. “Perfect.” He checks the time on his watch and as soon as the door closes, I head for the shower.

As I stand under the steady stream of hot water I remember back to when my showers were far and few between. If it wasn’t for the James’ I wouldn't get a shower at all. Washing off in the bathroom sink at school was the best I got. It seems odd to see my life now. I mean, I’ve done a lot of questionable things since taking Emmet’s proposition, but I wouldn’t change it. After I finish the shower I slip on my jeans, sneakers, and t-shirt, grabbing my ball cap and backpack on the way out my door. All the doors are closed tight, most of the other princes are still asleep. I take the two flights of stairs down and step outside to find Emmet’s car parked along the sidewalk. A sleek, all-black BMW. Boris opens the door when I appear. “Good morning, B.”

“Good morning, sir,” he greets me. In the last two years his dark hair has begun to turn salt and pepper. A few wrinkles around his eyes have appeared and he seems to have lost some of his hearing, but he’s still one of the best guys in the SK.

I slide into the back seat of the car, next to Emmet, who hands me an iced coffee and bag from one of the local restaurants. It smells like heaven and my stomach rumbles. Emmet chuckles. “Go on and eat before we reach the drop-off point.” Whenever Emmet gives me a ride to school, he drops me off about five blocks from Axell’s house. The less he knows the better. As far as he knows, I still live with Paul and Charlene, but things have gotten better. They actually make sure I have clothes and lunch money. If he knew why I wasn’t around much anymore...well, I doubt he’d approve, but some of us are just trying to survive.

I make it to Axell’s house just as he and his brothers are heading out the door. I wave to Annie who looks paler and thinner than normal. Axell has been worried about her for a while now. He’s constantly said she hasn’t felt good in a while and seeing her now reminds me of just how much her appearance has changed over the last year. She smiles and gives me a wave back before shutting the door. “I didn’t think you were going to make it,” Axell tells me once I’m close enough.

“I was a little later than usual getting out of the house, but I made it.” I give him a smile which he doesn’t return. Axell is worried. His family is in despair. Ronald will be lost without Annie if something happens to her, and I can tell Axell is worried about everyone.

Axell gives me a side-glance. “Barely. You’ve been cutting close all over the place lately.”

My shoulders shrug. “What do you want me to say? I have to keep up appearances with my foster family or my caseworker could move me.”

Silence falls between us while we make sure the younger James brothers get on the correct buses. We climb onto ours and take a seat towards the back of the bus. We’re halfway to school when Axell turns to me. “Things don’t add up with you anymore.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, my eyebrows pulling together in confusion.

He studies me. “You went from barely having clothes, food, or money and now you suddenly have plenty. I remember the stories you told me about Paul, and I highly doubt he had that big of a change of heart so what gives?”

“I don't know what you want me to tell you. Paul and Charlene just changed things up. I don’t know why, but they did. At first, I questioned it too, but it seems to have lasted over the last two years. Now, I’m just going with it.” Guilt instantly sours my stomach. I hate the idea of lying to Axell who is my best friend and has been like a brother to me. His family has been like my family since the moment I met him. What really gets me though, is the fact that I could lie so easily to him. How could I do that?

Axell takes a deep breath and rubs a hand down his face. I can tell he still doesn’t believe me. “You aren’t doing anything illegal, right?”

I laugh. “You’re crazy.”

“I’m serious, Tillman. You aren’t messing with drugs or anything like that are you?” The concern in his eyes makes me uncomfortable. If he had any idea just how much I was messing with he’d kick my ass. Drugs are the least of his worries where I’m concerned.

“Stop worrying about me. I’m not doing anything I shouldn’t be doing. You have enough on your plate so please worry about something or someone else.” I laugh off his concern and squeeze his shoulder. I’m saved by the sight of the high school coming into view. I never thought I’d be so thankful to see this place.

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