The Perfect Gift

Chapter Fifteen

Ashton

Music is blaring around us as we make our way to our usual booth in Zero nightclub. We always hang out here after Friday football practice. And sometimes, Quinn joins us.

"Hi, Sydney," we all say when we see the ginger-haired waitress coming towards us with a tray of martinis.

"Hey guys, how was practice?" she asks placing a glass in front of each of us. Sydney is Quinn's stepsister and she's 22. Sydney is really cool with us drinking alcohol as long as we don't get too drunk.

"Coach Hayes was being a total ass to Dex," Quinn answers with a pout.  "Only because he wants Dex to play better," I interject defending Coach Hayes.

The truth is I can't blame the coach . Dex has been off his game lately. Surprisingly since he's the most focused and level-headed in our little group.

Someone hollers at Sydney so she excuses herself. When we're alone again, we sip our drinks and talk. "Well, he has nothing to worry about. We're going to be ready for NYC," Mason says giving Dex a little slap on his back. 

Every year in Westmore High, junior football players go on a road trip to the Big Apple, after the school bonfire and pep rally night. In NYC, they undergo intense training and actual games with some of the best high school football teams in the country.

We've been preparing for the trip for months and we're beyond excited. Good players are noticed by scouts and could get college scholarships. But it's not just work and football. On the last day of the 7-days trip, we get to do whatever we want and go wherever we want in NYC.

"But dude, what's going on? You play worse than 'Parker, the slacker' now," I ask truly concerned.

Parker is the youngest player on the team. And the worst, he's been on the bench ever since he joined.

"Who are you kidding? He's worse than young slacker," Mason chips in and we both chortle with mirth. Even Dex can't hide his smile.

"It's my dad. He was talking about me going to Stanford after high school."

I and Mason exchange confused looks. "What the hell is wrong with Stanford?" we say in unison.

"It's too far from Forks," she says with a sad smile, "from me." She gently places her hand on Dex's and looks at him. "But you can't keep thinking about that babe. We still have senior year together besides you have to focus on your NYC trip."

"Yeah. Don't you dare screw this up for us, Dex," Mason warns.

As the captain, if we don't do well, he'll be blamed. We all know Quinn isn't going to college. She plans to take over the family business, a very popular restaurant here in Forks.

The rest of the night rolls by slowly with us ordering more drinks and checking out hot girls. The music is louder now and more upbeat. Mason's dancing with a girl a short distance away. He and Mac are currently broken up. As usual.

"Hey sweetie," a really pretty and sexy girl says to Dex in  a seductive voice. "You wanna dance?"

"No, thanks," he answers without interest. The girl leaves sulking and muttering a lot of swear words. 

"Come on, sweetie. Let's go dance," Quinn says with a smirk. Dex laughs, so do I. "I should get going. Bye guys," I say standing up. I tell Mason I'm leaving before I go.

Stepping outside the club, warm autumn breeze hits me. I take in steady breaths, if I stay in the club, it won't be long before a hot girl approaches me and I'm not in the mood to flirt.

I could walk to Adrian's house but I decide against it. I'll save thirty minutes if I take a cab. I raise my hand to hail one when I see two human figures, a guy and lady,  in the alley behind the bar. They appear to be having a heated argument. If I interfere I could get into trouble with Adrian.

I'm about to look away and mind my business when I hear a woman's scream. Oh screw it.

I run towards them and when I get closer, I see that the man has a beer on one hand and her wrist on the other. So he's been drinking. Now I'm angry.

"Trent, let me go," she says shaking trying to pull out of his grasp. 

Without thinking, I charge at the him, pushing him away from her forcefully. He stumbles backward and when he looks at me, his face has a shocked expression which changes to rage.

"You heard the lady, you fucking prick." I say scornfully.

He laughs humorlessly and sneers at the woman. "You're gonna let this kid fight for you, Maddy?"

He lungs for my throat and both hands tightly cover it. I hear Maddy, if that's really her name, screaming at him to stop. If I was angry before, now I'm furious. I grab a fistful of his hair with my hand while the other free hand collides with jaw.

The effect of the punch causes him to reel backwards and fall to the ground with his beer bottle shattering. "I'm going to kill you, little boy," he spits.

He gets up, throws me to the cold concrete floor and begins hitting me nonstop.

"TRENT!" Maddy shrieks' "Leave him or I'll call the cops. You're still on probation right?"

That seems to do the trick since Trent stops hitting me. I use the opportunity to get up. "This isn't over, kid."

Maddy quickly drags me out. When we can no longer see him, we stop walking. She faces me and she's about me to say something but stops abruptly. She looks at my shirt, alarm written all over her face.

I trace her eyes to see blood on my shirt. I pull it up, I see a shad of glass that penetrated my skin just above my thighs.

After thorough inspection by Maddy, she decides it's not a serious injury. "Come on, I'll get you cleaned up in my house."  We both get in a cab and after a short while, we reach her house.

She takes out her keys and unlocks the door. "You can put your shoes over there," she says pointing at a spot beside the door. When we enter, I look around. 

The house is small and cozy. Very homey. "Sarah! I'm home," Maddy yells.

Huh? Sarah?

I definitely was not prepared for the next thing I saw.

A/N:

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to vote and/or comment cos that's the only way I know you're reading!!!