My Life in Rosewood

Chapter Thirty-One

I don't even know how to process what I saw. Not just from seeing Jenna in vulnerable clothing, but to have seen her dressed that way for a guy. Who happens to be a cop, and a creepy cop at that because he is a grown man in his 20s. It is absolutely crazy. What is with this town with adult men going after teenagers? SICK.

Once home I have no desire to talk about this. They talked non-stop while in the car and I just wanted to forget the whole thing. The image in my head will give me nightmares for sure. So I go straight to our room and sit on my bed, my eyes glued to Aria when she starts to pace. I know she's thinking about all the reasons this could be happening but the main reason is A, and I know she is wondering how it's connected.

"Ria, I'm gonna need you to sit down and get some sleep. We aren't racking our tired and violated brains about this tonight."

Of course she didn't stop pacing and I sigh at her before getting up and stopping her in her tracks. That's when she looks at me, "Why aren't you more freaked out?"

I give her a soft smile, my hands planted onto her shoulders. "Because it's been a long day and Mike is my main focus of being worried."

She sighs a bit and her body slowly relaxes. I can see that her mind clicked when she didn't take her eyes off of me. "You're right."

"Of course I am." I tease with a small smile and take my hands off of her, "Something is up with him and your parents can't be the only ones to deal with it."

She slowly nods and then walks over to her bed to sit down, her legs dangling off the edge. "I don't think he got over mom and dad's mini split up."

I nod and walk towards her, "I agree. He's been starting fights, not hanging out with his friends." I go quiet for a second, "Breaking into people's houses."

Her eyes are staring at the floor as she plays with her hands, "You blame me for letting it slide after Jason caught him, don't you."

In my head I am slightly judging her for allowing it to happen, but I'd never tell her that because I know she was trying to protect him. "As his older sister I get why. I probably would have done the same if it was Jeff." I press my lips together, "But if we had known Jason's wasn't the only time it happened then we could have done something about it."

She nods slowly and shifts her eyes to the door as if she wants to talk to him but it's late, and I know he would not be in a good mood to talk even if he is awake. "Maybe we can try tomorrow after school."

I half smile and nod, because who knows if he will be going to school at this point. "I have a game, but I'd say maybe see if he joins for dinner and check the vibes."

She gives a small smile, "That would make more sense."

—

After school I head over to the locker room and change into my basketball uniform. Luckily, it is a home game so I don't have to worry about getting on a bus and having my nerves be ten times worse on the ride over. It's our last scrimmage game before the actual season starts up and I can't wait to make the games fully count. I feel like I've been on a roll these last couple weeks with our scrimmage games that I'm feeling 100% confident we'll win this year. Last year not being able to help them get to the top because of my accident and grieving was not the best feeling, but I plan to make it up to everyone.

While my game is going on I know Emily is supposed to be having her swim meet in about an hour and the guy from the college that she told her parents is scouting her will be there. That being a lie because of A sending the fake letter she needs to make this scout actually want to give promises so her parents won't find out, and her way of doing that is making sure she is on top of her game enough for him to offer something solid. For her sake of not moving to Texas permanently I hope the scout sees her full potential and makes her an off her parents can't say no to.