Page 10 of April’s Fool

“Right then,” Twister says, nodding. “Here’s what you need to know.”

He gives me a rundown of some of April’s past. He doesn’t go into detail, which I respect. It shows he cares about April’s privacy and wants to keep her safe. She’s got a shit mom. A dad who loves her but not enough to stick around. She got a full-ride scholarship for school, and the club also helps pay for anything else she might need. Lastly, she’s finishing school and getting ready to graduate. What he doesn’t tell me are the potential issues for her at school. I’m sure that’s because he doesn’t know, as he said she’s keeping things from them.

“I’ll make sure she doesn’t have any trouble.” April needs someone looking out for her, and I can do that. Looking to Cannon, I say, “I’ll head out in ten and get back to the clubhouse. Tomorrow, I’ll head over to the school and check in. If anything seems strange, I’ll let ya know.”

“Take Hazard and Rimfire with you. The rest of us will head back tomorrow.” Cannon nods, rapping his knuckles on the table.

“Will do.” I get to my feet and head out in search of Hazard and Rimfire. They won’t mind heading out early, not because they want to miss out on any fun they could get into, but because they’ll know we’ve got a job to do.

I quickly find Hazard and inwardly groan. Images of his body being put in the ground pop into my head. If he doesn’t get out of here soon, that’s exactly what’s gonna happen. Seeing him, arm braced against the wall, body close to Mercy, he’s asking for his ass to be kicked.

I clear my throat to get attention and say, “Hey, Haz, we need to leave in ten minutes.”

“Where are we goin’?” Hazard asks, dropping his arm and turning to face me, blocking my view of Mercy.

“Home,” I tell him, then go to pass them. I stop long enough to look at Mercy and say, “Good job on the prank on him last night. I heard him shouting through the walls for a while. Mice traps under the bottom sheet. Good one.”

Mercy giggles, shaking her head. “That was April’s idea. You should thank her.”

“I’ll be sure to do so the next time I see her.” I nod.

“Be sure to do just that,” Mercy says, her smile fading. “My dad asked you to check on her, didn’t he? That’s why you’re leaving.”

“You have a problem if that’s what he asked me to do?”

“Nope.” Mercy gets a concerned look in her eyes. “Just make sure she’s okay. Something’s going on at her school, and she’s not talking about it. She’s been like this for a while. She’s been different lately. Not as bright as she usually is.”

“You know what it is?” Hazard asks.

“No.” She sighs. “Trust me when I say Kayla and I have asked her. More than once. She’s worked her ass off and is struggling. One thing I know for certain is that someone is fucking with her. Last night, she kept checking her phone and looked about ready to burst into tears.”

“Right,” I tell her, then look to my brother. “I’m heading out as soon as I grab my bag. You grab Rimfire.”

“Meet you at the bikes,” Hazard mutters.

Nodding, I make my way to the room where I stayed, grab my pack, and head for my bike.

Given what both Twister and Mercy said, it seems April needs someone to have her back, even if she doesn’t want it. Reading between the lines of what Twister said, I’m gonna be the man who does just that.

But I’m not sure that’s going to be the only thing I can do. April captivates me in a way I can’t quite figure out. I’m not even sure I want to. What I do know is I won’t let her go at things alone when I can do something about it.

Chapter 7

APRIL

Rain.

It’s the bane of my existence.

Staring out my apartment door, I want to scream. It’s not that I hate the rain; I don’t. I actually love it. However, I despise having to walk in it. Back home, I’d be dancing in it, laughing, twirling with my arms stretched out. But not here. Here, it’s nothing but a nuisance when I have to go anywhere. Sure, I could drive, but what’s the point when I’m only going to the library, and it’s only a five-minute walk?

It started raining last night, not long after I got home. Thankfully, I’d already stopped in town to grab a few groceries I knew I needed. More coffee. Lunch meat. Bread. Some flavor packets for water, and a lasagna. I’ve been craving pasta, and I didn’t want to order from in town. Frozen is just fine with me.

Sighing, I step back and close the door again. I won’t be going out without my rain jacket and umbrella. I turn toward the hall closet by the front door, open it, and grab everything I need. Pulling on my jacket, I pick up my bookbag, keys, and phone, then open the door. Thankfully, my jacket is light enough that I won’t get hot, and it’ll keep the rain off me. I could just stick to my umbrella, but there’s still a chill in the air here that wasn’t back home. So, instead of tank tops and shorts, I’ve got my ripped jeans and T-shirt, paired with my black-and-white Chucks instead of flip-flops.

Taking a breath, I step out of my apartment and into the rain. It’s not so bad that I need my umbrella, but I have it just in case the rain starts coming down harder. On the way to the library, I keep my head down, not only to keep the rain out of my face but also to keep anyone from noticing me. There are several people I know, friends of Samuel’s, who are still here. Those who didn’t go home for the break.

All I want to do is get to the library without any issues from them or anyone else.