Blandview High Musical

59. The Sins Of The Father

"How could you lie to me?!" Jade shouted. Her father and her brother were sitting on the couch together. "Pumpkin..." "Don't do that! Why would you lie about this? Why wouldn't you just tell me the truth!?" She demanded. "Because a lie was more formidable than stressing you out, especially with your...condition." He said. Jason looked over at him. "What condition? Are you sick or something?" He asked. Jade folded her arms over her chest. "Sort of." She said, softly. Jason had a glass of whiskey balanced on his knee. Lawrence stood up from where he was sitting. "Listen, I'm sorry about lying. I just—I didn't want you to worry about where I'm going to be." He said. The tears started to well in her eyes. "Baby, don't cry." He said, softly. "So there's no Witness Protection?" She asked. Jason let out a laugh. "That's the lie you fed her?" He asked. "Jason, if you don't shut up..." She started. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry. If we could put aside who lied to who and let's just move on." He said, placing the glass on the coffee table and pushing it away from himself.

Jason got up from the couch and stepped around the two of them. "I really am sorry." Her father said. "Do you know how long you'll be in there for?" She asked. "Maybe a few years." He said. She pushed her brows together. "Goddamnit." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Look at me." He said, gently. She opened her eyes, the hurt running all through them. "Once I'm out, I'm out for good. I'm not gonna go back and the more I've thought about it...you're right." He said. "You swear it to me?" She asked. He reached down, grabbing her hand and curling his pinky finger around hers. "I pinky swear." He said. She smiled. "Now, go get cleaned up and go do something today." He said. She sniffled and wiped the underside of her eyes.

Moments later, I was standing on Jade's front porch, knocking on the door. I ran my fingers through my hair. I was hoping her father wouldn't answer the door. I was dressed in a bit more summery looking get up. A while crocheted crop top with a plunging neckline, jean shorts and some sandals. It's getting hotter and I'd like to work a little more on my tan. I sighed, knocking again. "Goddamnit." I grumbled, reaching into the mailbox. Just then, the door came open. My eyes fell over the man who was standing in the doorway. His body was wet, like he'd just gotten out of the shower. He was wearing a pair of striped boxers and was ruffling his hair with the towel. Droplets of water rolled over the contours of his abdomen. I swallowed thickly as my eyes finally met with his. "Can I help you?" He asked, sterilely. I chuckled dryly. "Yeah, I uh..." He raised a brow. Goddamnit. Just then, Jade stepped out from behind him. "Mind getting dressed before answering the door?" She asked. He just snorted. "Ask your friends to learn how to speak." He bit back. "Don't be an asshole." She said, stepping out of the door. "Where are you going anyway?" He asked. "Ugh, you don't quit, do you? We're gonna go shopping." "Be back before dinner." He ordered. Jade just rolled her eyes, grabbing me by the hand and dragging me down the sidewalk.

"Earth to Gill? What's wrong with you?" She asked, snapping her fingers in front of my face. I shook my head. "Huh?" "Can you put your lady boner away?" She asked me. I felt my cheeks burning hot. She got into the passenger side of the car. I walked around and got into the driver's seat. "Who was that?" I asked. "My brother, Jason." She said. "I didn't know you had a brother." I said. "Yeah, I have a brother and a sister." "No kidding? Where are they?" I asked. "Well, my brother lives in Atlanta, single without kids. My sister lives in Texas with her husband and their three children." She said. "I didn't think you had any family and that was why you celebrated the holidays alone." I said as we were driving down the street. "I have family, they just never bother to come home. With my parents always gone, it's not like I could've made my own plans." Jade looked out the window as we drove along the highway to the mall. "Did you tell Javi?" I asked. I knew it was a touchy subject for her. "Yes, I told him." She said. I nearly slammed on the brakes. "What did he say?!" I said, becoming excited. She looked over at me, breaking out into a large grin. "He said he's so excited and can't wait." She said, that happy enthusiasm returning to her features. "That's so wonderful!" I shouted.