67. Bruised bonds
Anderson didn't know what he was saying. He thought he was mumbling a prayer, but only gibberish spilled from his mouth.
The panic that reeked from his father's voice froze him to the spot. His bones felt like jelly, but Anderson knew that he had to be strong.
“Dad? What’s wrong? You don't sound too good.”
“Are you okay, my boy?” His father asked and Anderson’s fear suddenly turned into frustration. “A man came over here earlier, he doesn't look too…friendly or basically…well, I'm not discriminating or anything but-”
“Dad please just get to the point.” Anderson snapped, his voice shaky.
He has this terrible feeling that it was Buck.
He just knew it, like a cold gnawing feeling at the back of his mind. His breaths were shaky and labored, everything seemed to be falling apart.
“He was asking a lot of questions about you, Anderson. He asked about my hospital bills also and how you were able to cover them.”
Anderson swallowed, dreading the loud silence that followed.
“Anderson.”
“Yeah, Dad?”
“How did you manage to pay for my hospital bills?” His father asked.
His heart was racing and beads of sweat were littered on his forehead. He wished he could just end the call and be done with this conversation, but all his father had to do was call him back.
His mind was working frantically, trying to cook up a lie that wouldn't arouse his father's suspicions. His father wasn't an idiot, and that was what Anderson had suffered when he was a child; the inability to lie to his father.
“I took a loan, Dad and I am still paying for it.” Anderson replied and chuckled nervously, “Is this really why you called me today, dad? I feel sad, I thought you missed me.”
“Of course, I do! But this…this is very strange, Anderson. He came here in an expensive car and one thing he said that really got me worried was that you're making a lot of cool friends at Beale Crest.”
Anderson was confused, “Okay, dad? Why has that got you worried?”
“Because, you do not like to make friends!” Came his father's reply and Anderson immediately felt a sting in his chest. “Anderson, are you mingling with some dangerous people at that college?”
“No, dad.”
“And this—loan you took. Was it from the man who came to visit me today?”
Anderson scoffed, “Dad, how am I supposed to know the man who visited you if I wasn't even there in the first place?”
“He has a tattoo on his neck. A nasty one and he said that he was sure you'd know him.” Came his father's worried reply. “Anderson, if there's anything serious going on that you aren't telling me, this is the best time to.”
Yup.
Anderson had confirmed it, it was definitely Buck. His body was numbed by fear and he suddenly realized how stupid it was to underestimate the consequences of Saturday night.
Of course, Buck would be able to find his house so easily! How could he even forget that?
He cleared his throat, trying to spring some life into his voice before replying.
“Nothing is wrong, dad. Everything is under control. Please take care of yourself.” He replied, realizing the extent of the danger he had suddenly plunged his old man into.
Before his father could speak, he hung up the phone and slammed his back into the pillar behind him. His heart was completely shattered, he had never felt so gutted before. Of all people, it just had to be his father, the only family he had, that he put in danger.
‘Buck! I will meet you anywhere and give you all the information I have gathered. Something came up that night and I was only a few minutes late.’
‘Please reply my texts. I'm sorry! Tell Mr. Brimmer that I am truly sorry. I'd never miss the deadline on purpose.’
His texts went unreplied, even when it was confirmed that Buck had viewed when. Anderson managed to drag himself to his room and right before walking in, he sent Buck one last desperate message.
‘Please, Buck. Spare my father. I will do anything! Please…anything.’
He sighed dejectedly, holding back the tears in his eyes as he closed the door behind him.
Carl, who had been sitting on the bed, bolted to his feet at the sight of Anderson. Startled by Carl’s sudden presence, Anderson took a careful step backwards.
“What is this?” Carl demanded, shoving his phone at Anderson’s face. “Has that idiotic friend of yours gone fucking nuts? Keisha even told me that he harassed her earlier and began saying some jargon. Do you know how smart and cunning she is? She could figure everything going on between us just from that and I will be fucked!”
“We'll both be doomed.” Anderson said, his tone laced with annoyance, “Why do you have to make everything about yourself? I have things at stake too, you know?”
Carl’s eyes gleamed mockingly and he asked, “Oh, is it worth a billion dollars though?”
Anderson’s eyes watered, but he refused to let Carl see him cry. He had been tagged as a weakling for too long and wouldn't let the guys at Beale Crest flash their wealth in his face anymore.
“Maybe it doesn't, but my name means a lot to me too. And I risked it all for sex with a jerk. Because that's clearly what this whole charade that has been going on between us is. Casual sex, huh. That's what you call it, isn't it?”
Carl glowered at him, momentarily stunned by Anderson’s grit. He turned away from him. “Better get that stupid friend of yours in check, else I will do it myself.”
Anderson scoffed, “I guess you'd maul him the same way you did to Mitch.”
“You shut the fuck up!” Carl suddenly thundered, but Anderson didn't shy away.
“And if I don't? I'm guessing you'd tie me up, stuff a cloth in my mouth and fuck me right? Like you always do!”
Carl picked up his black bag and stormed out of the room.
“Yeah! Run away, like you always fucking do!” Anderson screamed after him, exhaling deeply as a rush of fresh air hit his lungs.
When he was alone, the sound of his labored breathing serving as the only noise in the room, it suddenly occurred to him that Carl might just be headed to the racing track.
“Oh shit!”
He grabbed his bag and was about to dash after him when a text that rocked his world brought him to an abrupt standstill.
Buck had finally replied!
And his reply made Anderson’s skin crawl with goosebumps.