The Dirt

10. New Normal

When i got home i went to feed my dad's horse Cowboy and Gypsy then tacked them up for training. I couldnt get that picture out of my head. Who were the two other guys?

Are they why he hates Dawson?

I started to lunge cowboy while Gypsy grazed outside of the round pen.

I heard my name and snapped back to reality.

"Hey sorry Hun I just wanted to see how school was going," Lisa smiled and sat on the fence while I cooled Cowboy down.
"It's alright, highschool doesn't change much." I smiled at her. She laughed and nodded in agreement.
"I saw a picture of Austin, Dawson and two other guys who are they." Her face dropped.

"I don't think I should be the one to tell you." She said slowly.

I frowned as she hopped off the fence to avoid any more of my questions taking Cowboy to his stall. I took Gypsy to the large arena and ran her around before cooling her down. As i finished giving Gypsy her oats Austin came over smiling wide as ever.

"Guess what!" He said as he walked closer.

"What!" I beamed back.
"You and i have plans on Tuesday." He wrapped his arms around me.
"Oh do we?" I joked with my voice muffled from his shirt.
"Yes we are i'm taking you on a date." I smiled and he kissed my forehead.
"So when were you going to tell me you were a football player?" His smile faded fast and his eyes went cold.
"Who told you?" He asked.
"No one i saw a picture of you, Dawson and two other guys." His face lost all colour.
"Who where they?" I asked.
"The younger was my brother Jesse, the older man was pop."
"And Dawson?" I asked.
He sighed a little. "At one point he was like a brother to me."
I just nodded taking in the information. He looked like he had seen a ghost. I pulled him into a tight hug and i felt him relax a bit. He swung his arm over my shoulder and we walked to the house.

Lisa had made the most delicious casserole I had ever eaten. We washed up while the boys did chores.

After washing up I headed to my room and sat on my bed. There was a light tap on my door and I opened it to see Austin.

"You wanna know what happened?" He asked. I nodded and he sat beside me. He sighed and removed his hat letting his shaggy hair be free. He laid back on my bed and looked at the ceiling. I laid beside him bracing myself for what I was about to hear.

The air was stiff and I could tell this wasn't going to be a story he was happy to share.