Page 68

“I’m literally flabbergasted that no one ever caught on to this happening in their house. Like, why on earth didn’t a teacher or the freaking director of the preschool contact Ryan?” The longer I listen, the angrier I get. I know I shouldn’t be mad at his dad, but I just can’t imagine that people didn’t know.

“I know, honey. It makes me sick, thinking about the whole thing. I just love Beck and Brooke so much. I can’t fathom anyone wanting to hurt them—or any child. And there was a teacher who reported it, but after an investigation, there was no evidence of neglect. But that day of the incident, after she was questioned, she was arrested for child endangerment. While she was awaiting trial, an investigation was conducted in the home. Ryan had to go through evaluations, social investigations, and therapy for the kids, for him. He lost his job because he couldn’t travel anymore. After nearly two years, she was convicted, and they were basically free of her, so they decided to move. Ryan wanted to get the kids out of there because too many people in the community knew what was going on and what had happened, and he needed a job.” She reaches over and puts her hand on top of Casey’s, which is still holding mine.

A tear drops down my face. Picturing Beckham and Brooke in that kind of home breaks my heart. Ryan is a great dad, and I’m trying really hard not to be angry with him right now.

“I just don’t understand something. How does a father not know his wife is hurting his kids? When he was there, didn’t he see bruises or signs that something wasn’t right?”

Dad leans forward. “Charlie, alcoholics get really good at hiding and lying. Ryan found liquor bottles all over the house when they were packing up to move. Under clothes, in laundry soap boxes, under sinks. She had even filled a spray bottle with vodka. And he said she’d confessed to drinking Benadryl or mouthwash when he was home so she wouldn’t completely detox. Addicts will do absolutely anything to hide their addictions.”

He continues, “Apparently, she’d struggled with mental health issues before they were married. I guess her father had also been an alcoholic, so it ran in the family. She said she just couldn’t deal with Ryan being gone all the time and couldn’t handle the kids. When she went to trial, she confessed to everything she remembered doing to the kids. Some information about the abuse came from the social investigation with Beckham. They wouldn’t allow him to testify because he was so young, but they had enough at that point to convict her anyway. She was sentenced to fifteen years; she lost her parental rights and was ordered to go through counseling and a rehab program at the prison.”

Mom says, “The day that Britney overheard Beckham and me talking, he had just gotten back from testifying at her parole hearing. Because he was over fourteen, he had been permitted in the hearing. He asked for them to keep her in jail. When he had gotten back, he came straight to our house. He wanted to see you, but when I told him Britney was there, he didn’t want to stay. He was pretty upset, and I think had she not been there, he might have told you about it then. I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you both, but because of some of the legal issues still pending, I couldn’t say anything without their permission.”

She looks from me to Casey. “Case, did you have any idea any of this happened to him?”

Casey shakes his head. “Beck isn’t really one to talk about feelings. He’s always been quiet about his mom. He only made a few comments in passing about how she was a horrible mother and that they were much better off without her.” He sits up and places his palm on my back.

“We’re his family, Charlie. We have to be patient with him. Trust me, I want to go up there to our room right now and ask him so many questions, but we have to let him deal with this in his way. He’s not going anywhere.” He brings his hand up to my shoulder and squeezes it.

All of this tonight has been a lot to deal with. Like Casey said, I want to run up and be with him, but I also want to show him that I respect him by honoring his request for space. The worst part of all of this is that Casey and Beck should be celebrating tonight’s win with the team.

“Maybe I should go back early tomorrow and stay with Arbor for a few days. Give him some space. He has a lot going on right now, and he needs to focus on getting ready for the championship game.” I turn to look at Casey. “What do you think I should do?”

He holds his hands up. “Char, I don’t know what to tell you, honestly. I know he’ll be pissed if you leave, but you’re right. He needs to focus on getting ready for Southeast. Maybe go stay with her for a few days and see how it goes. I think I’ll head back up to our room and check on him. If he wants to be alone, I’ll go find the guys.” He swings his legs to the side of the bed and stands.

“Oh, wait. Beck mentioned seeing Britney at the game against Chandler. Did you see her too?”

Casey sighs and hangs his head. “Yeah, I saw her.” He looks up at me. “I wondered if he would say anything about it or hoped he would at least tell you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? We tell each other everything.”

“Because, Char, it doesn’t matter that we saw her or what she said. What matters is that you two love each other. Britney is irrelevant. It’s time to let it go.”

“Arbor and Lily saw her too, but I can’t believe she would seek out Beck. But you’re right. It’s time to let it go. I love him, he loves me, and she’ll never get in the way of us again.” I say, nodding.

“Good, just focus on moving forward together, not the past.”

He goes to Mom first and hugs her, then moves to Dad. Dad says something in his ear that I can’t hear, and he pats Casey on the back three times.

I stand when he moves over to me, and I reach up to hug him. He lifts me a little and then sets me down, but doesn’t let go.

“Please keep an eye on him for me. I can’t lose him again. I don’t want him to go silent on me.”

“I won’t, I promise. You know he loves you more than anything. Let him work this out, and everything will be okay.” He lets go of me and starts walking to the door. “I might not see you guys tomorrow before you leave, so if I don’t, I’ll call you when we get back to Walker. Love you guys.”

We all respond with, “Love you,” back to him, and when the door shuts, the tears fall.

My parents both come over to me and say all the things to make me think everything will be okay, and I really hope they’re right.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

BECKHAM

Time.It’s supposed to heal all wounds.

Sometimes, it just serves as a Band-Aid until it’s ripped off and you have to deal with reality.

My dad came to see me in my room the night of our win. He told me about my mom’s release and explained that he hadn’t wanted to tell me about the details until after the playoffs. I’d figured as much, but I would have preferred the heads-up at least. I don’t do well with surprises. But I’m not upset with him.