Play The Part (Player Next Door Book 3)

68 | Three Strikes

Sorry for the 10minute delay!  Was frantically rushing to get home screaming "I have an update to post!" I'm not panting at my laptop clicking publish! 

Enjoyyy

Chapter 68: Three Strikes

*20 minutes earlier*

The police were on their way. Mania had fallen upon us. The perfect Dawson house had turned into chaos. People, bodies, yells, crashes... the hot and sweaty hallway suddenly had air breezing through as everyone evacuated.

In the midst of it all, Chris and Luke were like concrete pillars. No one could topple them; instead, people slipped around them like water on stone.

Austin stopped yet another person from crashing into me.

I saw Chris turn towards the front door, just as the sounds of police got louder.

"Chris!" I called out to him, stopping him once more. He looked at me, giving me one second to justify myself.

"Round back," I told him, pointing towards the back of the hallway, "There's a door round back."

His angry look softened. He glanced back out the front door, where other people were running right into the street and two cop cars had pulled up.

He nodded at me and pushed against the current of the crowd, his boys following him.

As for Luke, he stood at the front of the door and waited for the cops to come to him.

*Present*

Dupont Avenue doesn't see action often. In the middle of this dark night, in this sleepy street, Officer Patel's car was parked by number 9.

The four of us sat on the pavement beside the car like punished children.

I guess that's what we are.

Austin got up to stretch his legs, "How long is this going to take?"

Officer Patel was conversing with the angrier, meaner officer. He sighed, "You're not being held, Austin. I've told you, it's just the Dawson brothers."

Luke put his head in his hand, elbow against his knee.

I was sitting in between Luke and Jake, like ham between two slices of bread. Why wouldn't they just get along? They share the same DNA.

Austin ignored Patel's response.

The last time Officer Patel told us that, Chad had bounced on up out of here.

I figured I'd keep these boys company. My commute home after all was only 30 seconds. 20 if I skip. 40 seconds if I run.

I was not at all worried about this situation. Officer Patel was like a godfather to me. He would never hurt us.

Suddenly, a genius idea struck me from the sky.

I don't know if it was the ham sandwich or the warm summer night, but it was a stroke of inspiration.

"Hey," I said cheerfully, "Why don't we all apply to Camp Beaver Hill as counsellors?"

I looked around me.

Expecting everyone to break out in song.

Imagine if Luke and I could return to summer camp as counsellors again this year. Apple Cabin with all our little cabineers.

Imagine if Austin joined us.

Cearra too.

Chad would never.