Junior Year Box Set

“You do realize that you could be put away for having kiddie porn on your phone,” Greg said.

“What?” I asked, and got worried.

“Yep, they take that kind of shit seriously, especially if you’re in the public eye. I’d hate to see you doing time just because some state’s attorney wants to make a name for himself,” Greg said.

“Listen to your brother and delete it,” Dad said.

I got both my tablet and phone and deleted the image. I would have to go through the rest of my stuff and see if there was anything else that was questionable.

“How’re things with you?” Dad asked Greg.

“Good. We’re a little freaked out about the news on our new brother,” Greg said to steer the conversation towards what we both wanted to talk about.

“When you guys were younger, I used to help my dad with his political campaigns. Vickie’s parents were working on the campaign. Her dad was your grandpa’s campaign manager. I hadn’t seen Vickie in a few years. I used to have the biggest crush on her, despite her being quite a bit younger than I was. Vickie was just someone I was instantly attracted to.

“There was nothing between us. I mean, you guys were like four and one at the time, and you know how much I love your mother. Your grandpa won reelection for like the zillionth time. He had a big party out at the farm. Your idiot uncle got me to do tequila shots. He was actually the one flirting with Vickie. I made some stupid comment about how I had always been in love with Vickie, and John pushed her into my arms.

“Honestly, boys, I could give you a million different reasons as to why it happened. No matter the excuse, Phil is the result of that night. They say it only takes one time, and they’re right. It wasn’t even that enjoyable because I felt guilty while we did it,” Dad said.

“Why does Phil think he’s grandpa’s son?” Greg asked.

“Vickie and your grandpa worked that out. My dad had … let’s just say he knew how to handle it. I was scared to death of what your mom would say. I wish I’d talked to her when it happened. She’s feeling hurt and betrayed for something that happened nearly fifteen years ago. She has to question everything that’s happened in our marriage because I was, was … too dumb. It breaks my heart to see what I’ve done to her and to you guys.

“The worst part is I never was in Phil’s life. I knew your grandpa took care of Phil financially by providing support, and he created a college fund for him, but I was never there for him. I turned my back on my own son, and surprisingly, that’s what your mom is probably the maddest about.

“Let me give you guys a piece of advice: whenever you’re doing anything that feels wrong, stop, and think of the consequences. I guarantee you that someday you’ll be faced with a situation that makes you nervous. Listen to that little quiver in your gut and do the right thing. I wasn’t raised to do what I did. I knew it was wrong and did it anyway,” Dad said.

“Do you think this trip will help?” I asked.

“I plan on doing whatever it takes. The good news is your mother and I love each other. We’ve been together for over twenty years, and we’re as in love with each other as when we first met.”

What a mess. Greg and I wished Dad luck. After Dad left, we talked for a moment.

“Do you think they’ll be okay?” Greg asked.

“You haven’t been around Mom for the past few days. I’ve never seen her like this. She actually slapped me. She’s going to have to get past a lot of anger, or they aren’t going to make it,” I said.

“I hope she remembers how much we all love her,” Greg said.

Me, too.

◊◊◊

Duke and I went for a run since we didn’t have anything to do today. When I got home, I had company in the form of the two other troublemakers who got suspended, Gina and Cassidy.

“Ladies!” I called as Duke and I bound up the stairs of my apartment.

I caught them going through my t-shirts.

“Hey, you have to earn those,” I teased them.

“My sister would disown me, and Cassidy’s dad would have something to say,” Gina giggled.

The toll for taking a t-shirt was a roll in the hay, or was that what I paid? I never figured that one out.

“You want a whole new wardrobe?” I asked.

“What would I have to do for that?” Cassidy asked.

“It sounds like more than we’re willing to give up,” Gina teased me.

I winked at them and called Michael Reese, the VP of Marketing for Jade. It had been a while since I’d taken advantage of being the ‘Face of Jade.’ The last time I had gone nuts had been with Peggy. I figured I owed Gina for hooking her up with her cheating jerk of an ex-boyfriend, and Cassidy helped in so many ways it wasn’t funny. I wanted to treat my pals to the newest clothes a hip teen would need. Of course, I wasn’t really hip, but Jade’s ads said that they were, so I figured the girls would like it.

“Hey, Michael, it’s David Dawson.”

“David! I need you to do a quick shoot for me.”

I laughed. Michael always tried to get me to do a quick shoot. I’d told him no modeling during football. I guess I did have a couple of days off and did want a favor.