Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Another rousing burst of cheers explodes through the crowd. Even though the school and town are small, most are diehard football fanatics.
As Austin loosens up enough to smile, Jasper adds in a joking tone, “Now we just have to make sure this guy keeps his grades up, so he’s eligible to play. He won’t be able to help anyone sitting on the bench. Unfortunately for Austin, Ms. Pettijohn’s English Lit class is getting the better of him.”
My grin falls away as I glance at the laughing crowd. It’s as if someone has wrapped a fist around my heart and is squeezing it until breath becomes impossible.
Why would he say something like that in front of everyone?
Austin’s gaze slices to mine as any hint of happiness vanishes and an icy veneer slips over his expression.
Jasper lowers his voice as if confiding a secret to the hundreds of people gathered at his estate. I can almost feel the crowd surge forward so as not to miss a single word.
“Most of you probably don’t know this, but our superstar QB is dyslexic.” Jasper nods, making eye contact with the audience as if they’re having an intimate conversation. “How sad is it that he struggles to even read at grade level? A learning disability is no joking matter.”
I blanch, unable to believe my ears.
Oh god...what’s he doing?
When Austin attempts to leave the stage, Jasper tightens his hold so he can’t escape without making a scene.
“In the months that Austin has been here, I’ve heard plenty of my fellow classmates laugh and talk about this guy being all brawn and no brains, but what they don’t understand is the struggle he goes through on a daily basis. Especially at Hawthorne Prep, where the academics are rigorous. This isn’t Chicago, after all. These teachers aren’t going to hand out passing grades simply because someone is a football player. So, even though we’re lucky to have the Hawthornes back home where they belong, maybe they’re lucky to be here as well. Every single one of us can assist Austin in overcoming his challenges in the classroom. If we all work together as a team, we can make sure Austin passes his classes and graduates from this amazing academy.”
I raise my hands to my mouth in horror.
The crowd grows so silent you could hear a pin drop. The pity on their expressions makes me sick to my stomach.
When the room remains quiet, Jasper chuckles. “I probably shouldn’t have said anything, but this guy has impressed me so much, and I want everyone in Hawthorne to understand the reasons for it. Let’s hear it for Austin!”
Another round of thunderous applause erupts. The noise is so deafening, it rattles the windowpanes. Austin’s face has turned ashen as his nostrils flare. He stands rooted in place, looking like he wants to melt into the stage, all the while gritting his teeth. As soon as Jasper releases him, he stalks away with his hands tightly clenched.
Instead of returning to where I stand frozen in place, he slips out the set of French doors that lead into the velvety darkness. As the audience continues to clap, Jasper returns the microphone to his father.
“That was a very touching story, son. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. You’re absolutely right about Hawthorne being one big happy family. And around here, family takes care of its own.”
Jasper nods as his gaze slices to mine and his lips lift into a malicious smile.
DELILAH
My hand flutters to my belly as if the firm pressure is enough to stifle the nausea roiling like a storm inside as I swing away and race for the same door Austin escaped through a handful of seconds ago.
I...can’t believe Jasper publicly humiliated him in front of all those people.
Classmates.
Teachers.
Teammates.
The entire town.
He won’t be able to go anywhere in Hawthorne without whispers dogging his heels. I don’t know Austin well, but I realize that it’ll kill him to have people gossiping about something so painful and private.
As Benedict rambles about the fundraiser, I reach for the handle with trembling fingers before pushing it open and stepping outside into the cool night air.
For all I know, he’s taken off.
I certainly wouldn’t blame him for it.
Instead, I find him standing on the stone balcony that overlooks the vastness of the backyard. In the distance are the gently rolling hills of the golf course. From here, I see the stiff set of his shoulders and can feel the thick tension radiating off him in suffocating waves.
I bite my lower lip, unsure what to say or how to make the situation better.
“Austin,” I whisper.
When he swings around, the barely suppressed fury simmering in his eyes steals my breath and has me shrinking back a step.
A long, painful heartbeat passes as we stare. The glower on his face is unmistakable.