“At some point, I’ll be healthy again. When that happens, I will make it my mission in life to kick your ass each and every day until I graduate,” I threatened.
“Big talk from a cripple,” Pete said as he stepped forward to menace me.
Or not.
I head-butted and stunned him. I followed that up with a bone strike with my left, uninjured, arm. As I twisted slightly to throw the blow, I almost went down when my whole right side felt like someone had used a blowtorch on me. The pain was nearly unbearable. Fortunately for me, the knucklehead was down for the count. I glared at the other two as I panted in pain.
“Take him and get out of here,” I barked.
Pete’s buddies didn’t hesitate as they grabbed their friend and dragged him away. One of them slowed and threw a ‘sorry’ over his shoulder.
Chuck must have seen them drag him out because he was suddenly at my side. He found me clinging to the tree I’d watered. I’d been tempted to just collapse, but the realization I’d be sitting in my urine stopped me from doing so.
“Help me to the car. I need to get some pain meds in me pronto,” I told him.
“Did they hurt you?”
“No, I hurt myself,” I admitted.
“Why didn’t you hit your panic button?” Chuck asked.
“Can we debrief later? You can watch it all on my bodycam and then give me shit tomorrow,” I grumbled.
“Sure.”
◊◊◊
That ended the party for my crew. Dare had drunk about half his beer and was a little tipsy. He was more of a lightweight than I was. The good or bad news, depending on your point of view, was he could actually look at everyone. Maybe he and I needed to do a little self-medicating before school each day. I would take my pain meds, and he would drink a beer. Put that down as one of my top ten bad ideas.
“You got into a fight?” Brook asked.
This was new. She almost sounded like my mom.
“It was nothing,” I tried.
“It’s not nothing when one kid is knocked out, and you have to be almost carried to the car. How bad are you hurt?” Brook asked.
“I’ll show you if you’ll kiss it and make it better.”
Everyone but my girlfriend thought that was funny. I got a serious look on my face and looked her in the eyes.
“I’m okay.”
She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly.
“I thought you learned your lesson about wandering off without your security,” Brook said, and then looked at the back of Chuck’s head and glared.
“It’s not his fault,” I said in his defense.
“I’m not sure your mom will agree with that,” Brook said.
“No one is telling my mom,” I said with meaning.
Brook looked at me with concern.
“You’re such a ‘stupid boy’ sometimes. You could have been hurt.”
“I love you too,” I said.
That took the wind out of her. She relaxed and then gave me a kiss.
“Let’s not let those idiots ruin what’s been a spectacular night. I get to say I’m dating the Homecoming Queen.”
“Technically, that was me,” Dare said from the backseat.
“He has you there,” Brook said with a glint in her eye.
“Let’s make a deal. The next time you want me to do something … just tell me. It will avoid Dare taking advantage of us,” I suggested.
“I’m smarter than you think,” Dare chirped.
“I’m finding that out. Tonight was your one free pass. Are we clear on that?” I asked.
“Crystal. Thanks, Brook. I had a great time,” Dare said.
“I think David needs to finish his date with us,” Tracy suggested.
“Not happening,” Brook said. “He’s all mine.”
“What if …?” Tracy began.
“Nope,” I said, affirming my girlfriend’s opinion on what Tracy was suggesting.
I doubt either of us was ready to expand our relationship that way. I suspected Cindy and Halle had been a onetime event. While I hoped not, I wasn’t about to confirm my ‘stupid boy’ status any more than I already had done tonight.
◊◊◊
Chapter 26 – If Dogs Ruled the World Saturday October 15
I woke up and was surprised I didn’t hurt as much as expected after hitting Pete Yoder last night. Chuck had collected my bodycam footage before he’d gone home for the night, and I was sure I would hear from Fritz today. I shudder to imagine what would have happened if those guys had pounded on me. All I knew was that once I was well again, I would have made it my mission to do them some serious damage. This combination rib/hip injury was no joke.
Duke did a little dance at the side of the bed.
“Can’t you wait?” I asked.
Apparently not, so I took my hound downstairs. Precious darted in as he went out, and when I made it back to my room, I found her camped out on my pillow once again. I ignored her as I got ready for the day. When I sat down on the edge of the bed to put my socks on, she came to me and wanted some loving. I wondered where the cat from hell had gone. Once I was dressed, I carefully walked downstairs, and was happy that she followed me. I didn’t mind our new routine if Precious behaved.
Duke was waiting for her.
“Gentle,” I warned him because she looked like she was ready to pop.
