Page 37 of Unforgettable
I regarded Zack. “But back to your other question on football tickets. I’ll see what I can do.” As a student, I had access to purchase tickets easily. I wouldn’t mind attending a game anyway. “Any other questions?”
Mr. Bridges joined me at his desk. “As Ms. Hale said, it’s important to understand who the politicians are and their policies so, in the end, you can make an informed decision when you reach voting age.”
The bell rang.
The students scattered as though the fire alarm had gone off.
Zack came up to me. “Thank you.” Then he left, looking like he’d lost his best friend.
“Was he close to Leigh James?” I asked Mr. Bridges.
“He, Jessica Davis, and Leigh were tight.”
I remembered a Jessica speaking at the church.
“You did well.” He chuckled. “Your dad was worried about what you were going to say.”
I refrained from an eye roll.
“Anyway, he’ll be proud of you.”
I doubted that. “I’ve got to run. I will check on football tickets. I’ll make my dad pay for them.”
He laughed. “Oh, and if you do see Ryker, let him know about the principal?”
“Sure will,” I said on my way out.
Once I was at my car, my phone beeped with a text.
Vicki:Are you up for going to a party tonight?
It was Friday. I’d busted my butt all week on homework and studying. It was time to kick back.
Me:I’m in. Whose party?
Vicki:Lucas and Ryker.
Perfect… or maybe not. The last party at Ryker’s had caused trouble for me.
13
Ryker
Iheld the bottle of scotch in one hand, and the other rested on my bare stomach as I watched a sports channel pick apart all the college football games that had been played that afternoon, with Lakemont being one of them. Damn team didn’t win the game. We were now zero wins and two losses. I should have been getting my ass out of bed and in gear to play football, but I couldn’t muster up the energy to do anything.
A short brunette reporter stuck the mic at Coach Chapman. “Coach, can you tell us when Ryker James is returning to the game?”
Coach adjusted his ball cap. “I don’t have a date yet. Look, it’s been a rough road for our star quarterback. So myself, the team, and the university support him if and when he decides to return.”
Coach had stopped by midweek to discuss what my plans were or if I would be taking off the season. I didn’t have an answer for him, and he couldn’t exactly push me to play. After all, if I didn’t have my head in the game, then I would be worthless anyway. In fact, my head hadn’t been right since I’d left the cemetery five days ago. After Lucas and I had come back to my parents’ house, I’d stayed. I’d curled up in my brother’s bed and become a zombie. My aunt Kari kept trying to get me to eat, but I had no hunger for food. The only thing I craved was booze and drowning myself in it—anything to take away the thought of going on with everyday tasks, school, football, parties, and normal shit that people did.
I was lucky I got out of bed to take a piss. I’d only showered once since the funeral, and the way I was going, I would probably die in bed.
A soft knock sounded on the door before Aunt Kari came in. She scrunched her nose, piercing me with daggers. “Before long, your room will have rodents building homes alongside you. This place stinks.”
Like I give a shit.
Sinking her bare feet into the carpet as she crossed the room, she flicked strands of her dark hair off her forehead. “At least you had the decency to not stink up the other rooms in the house.”
