Page 6 of Too Far

Shuttering my eyes, I give myself two seconds to panic.

Two counts. One breath in. One breath out.

A blip in time to let the gravity of what I’ve done sink in and to acknowledge how it could send the whole castle crumbling down.

Do I know what I’m doing? Hell no. I’m so fucking out of my depth. I don’t know what’ll come of all this—the legal consequences or the disciplinary action from the school and the team. A smear on my record. A major hitch in my plans to go pro.

The scope of the potential fallout is unfathomable.

Yet I’d do it all over again.

Accepting my silence for what it is, my dad stands with a sigh and clasps my shoulder. “My hands are tied, Kenny. I love you, but I can’t help you with this one.”

I look up and lock eyes with him. This powerful, honorable man. A man I respect. A man I love.

He and my sisters aren’t the only people I love these days, though. Is there any greater display of love than sacrificing for one’s family?

“I know,” I concede, placing my hand over his and squeezing.

I didn’t take the fall thinking I could get off easier because of my last name.

I did it because I could take it. Come what may, I can handle the consequences.

“Your uncle is up for reelection this year. If he gets wind of this, or the media spins it and he feels compelled to make an example out of you…”

My uncle’s a ruthless prick. Whereas my pops believes in justice, order, and civility, his brother is a county commissioner who revels in power and control and doing whatever it takes to come out on top.

“Understood.”

He sighs again. “I see so much of her in you. Conviction. Honor. Love. You have my stubbornness, but you have your mother’s spirit. I won’t pretend to understand what the hell you were thinking, sacrificing all you’ve worked for so hastily, but I’m damn proud of the man you are, Kendrick.”

His words slam into me so hard I have to restrain myself from hopping off the bench and pulling him into a hug.

He’s never been stingy with his affection. Reserved and stoic, yes. But ever since my ma passed away, he’s led our family with empathy and compassion. He’s the kind of man who says what he needs to say when he needs to say it.

Swallowing past the gratitude and overwhelming sense of vulnerability coursing through me, I clear my throat, prepared to ask what happens now.

Turns out I don’t need to.

He walks out of the cell and leaves the door wide open behind him.

“Decker posted your bail. I’ll get one of the officers to take you home.”

Chapter 4

Kendrick

They’relineduponthe dock, every one of them so rigid the sight of them twists my gut into knots.

They’re in size order, too. It would be hilarious if I wasn’t so fucking keyed up and desperate to get back into the fold.

I don’t bother waiting for the rookie tasked with accompanying me home to dock along the landing.

Two strides, a leap, and I’m home.

Among them.

Where I belong.