Page 27 of Truly Forever
Another nod. “When he came back, he had a friend with him. I’m not sure how long he was gone…” Jacob turns away.
Uh, yeah, I’m certain clock-watching was not what was going on in the interim.
“Anyway, after that, Reagan and I left to get something to eat.” His laugh is dry. “Mom always gets on me about rolling my stops. Guess I should have listened to her.”
I find a smile. “We should always listen to our mothers. And yours is a smart lady.”
That fast, I find myself the squirmy thing under a microscope. The kid’s mouth opens—but I’m faster than he is. “Tell me what happened next.”
He squints at yours truly a moment longer. “I told the cops the stuff wasn’t mine, but Reagan kept giving me these looks, and she was crying, and…so I didn’t tell them about Alex”
Oh, gee. Seriously? I mean, I get young love and all, trust me, but what kind of girl would let her boyfriend take the rap?
“After mom bailed me out, I confronted Alex. Both of them begged me not to tell. He’s already on probation, plus, he’s almost twenty, and he said I’d barely get a slap on the wrist since I’m under eighteen.”
“Well he was wrong, and please, explain to me why your lovebug would ask her honeybunch to take the fall for her screwup brother.”And why you’d be fool enough to do it.
His brow furrows into tight lines. “Her parents fight all the time, and lots about Alex. They’re always talking about divorce. Reagan’s worried that if he gets in trouble one more time they actually will split up.”
“Yet they’re not worried about her dating a dealer?”
He looks at his curled hands. “They don’t know yet. I guess it’s just a matter of time.”
“Probably so, but regardless, you really want to be with a lady who would sacrifice you on the altar of her family?” Can’t quite wrap my mind around that one, I admit.
“You don’t understand. Reagan loves me, and she’s…sensitive. This…all this stuff…hurts her so much. She doesn’t deserve it.”
“But your mother does?”
“No! It’s just…no. Of course not.” The agony on his face is real.
I’ve learned a thing or two over the years in my business: Don’t waste one second on sympathy for offenders. Not a single second. Their victims, however? Their families? Innocent children and devastated parents?
His whole posture screams defeat. “I love ReaganandMom, but it’s too late now anyhow.”
“You have dug a hole for yourself, no argument there. Telling the truth now at least gives you a fighting chance.”
“I don’t know.”
Stupid, stupid kid, choosing some girl who’s willing to hang him out to dry, over his own mother. “Tell you what, Carpenter. Try this on for size. You don’t come clean, you make your poor mother suffer…” I grate my voice. “AndIwill personally make sure the cops bury you on this.”
Shock explodes his eyes to double their normal size—right before they narrow, hard and fierce. “You’re a creep.”
I tap two fingers to my chest.“I’ma creep?”
“I thought for a second that you might care for my mom.Buryingme says different.”
Huh. Smart kid. Guess I forgot I wasn’t dealing with a hardened offender for once. The whole point of this talk is to get both the kidandthe mother out of hot water.
I ease my shoulders and my attitude down a notch. “You’re right Jacob. And I’m…” Am I sure I want to say this? I take a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”
Less than appreciative of my sacrifice, the twerp, he putsmeon the hotseat beneath a singeing glare. “Are you dating my mom?”
“Absolutely not. She asked for help. That’s all this is.”
“Do you want to date her?”
“I…”