“When’s the right time? Maybe after Tanner’s career crashes before it could ever kick off—as long as poor Brad doesn’t get upset, that is.” I’m surprised at the venom leaving my mouth.
“It was his decision. He agreed to it.” Brad shoves his phone in his pocket, as though preparing himself for an argument.
“What are the two of you talking about?” my dad asks, sitting up straighter on the edge of his seat.
I ignore my dad’s question. “Now, you should be stepping up and taking the blame. How could I have been so blind all these years?”
“Piper?” my mom questions.
“I gotta go. Things are heating up,” Dylan says on the phone before hanging up. He walks over, leaning against the treat table.
“Oh, should I tell them or you?” I cock my head at Brad.
He narrows his eyes at me. “Drama, drama, drama. That’s all you are, Piper,” he sneers.
It’s the final chance for him. I open my chest and pour the scalding lava over him. “Me?” I point to myself, standing to my feet. “Drama? Aren’t you the kettle calling the pot—”
“Black,” he deadpans. “Original, Piper,” he says.
My fists clench at my sides. “You fucking asshole.” I’m so frustrated that I feel the tears welling as my body trembles.
“Language. And for the last time, what is going on?” My mom stands up in between us.
“You’re leaving your best friend to fry. Do you even understand what’s about to happen out there? They are going to eat him alive. No one will ever believe him again. He could take a hundred drug tests, and people will still say he’s a cheater.” I inch closer to him, talking like I’m disciplining a nine-year-old.
“He’s Tanner fucking McCain. Everyone loves him. He’ll win them over again.” He takes what I said and smashes it against the wall with his absurd beliefs.
“Get over it, Brad!” I yell.
“Shhh . . . Chris?” my mom pleads to my dad to get us under control.
“Lower your voices, and tell us what you’re arguing about,” he demands with an authoritative tone.
“Your son is the one who failed the drug test. Tanner covered it up for him, but now, your selfish son won’t admit it.”
“What?” my mom whispers. I hate that I just broke her heart.
I face Brad again. “You didn’t get the call. You didn’t make the team. I’m sorry, Brad. I know you wanted it, but plain and simple, you weren’t good enough. I know the words cut because they cut me, too, but those are the facts. We just didn’t have what it takes. You have an amazing career yourself, and I see you. You enjoy running Lincoln Operations. You’re about to marry your fiancée tomorrow. Your life is good, Brad.”
I’m eager to reach him, but he stands up, pacing the floor.
“Good?” His head tosses back. “You’re kidding me! I ruined my life a year and a half ago. I lost my swimming career first, and then a month later, she slipped from my grasp.”
I close my eyes, and my anger simmers when he finally admits how much it hurt when Taylor left.
“Then, go get her. Stop sitting on your ass, and don’t marry a girl you don’t love. Go after the one you love,” I hammer back.
An empty laugh emerges from his lips. “It’s not that simple.” His fingers link behind his head, and he tips it back. “I ruined it, ruined us.” When his head rises, I see the tears in his eyes. “I lost everything I loved within weeks of each other.”
“I can’t make you fight for her, but, Brad, you can fight for Tanner today. If his friendship means what you say it does, it shouldn’t be a question for you to save him now.” My shoulders deflate, and I hope he sees the light out of the dark hole he’s put himself into.
His eyes darken, and the sadness that filled them seconds ago is gone. “Let me guess. This is something you’ll benefit from? Don’t worry. Your golden boy will come out as shiny as ever,” he says in a condescending tone, tilting his head.
“That’s it.” Dylan rushes across the room. Both his hands grip Brad’s shirt, pushing him against the wall. “You fucking piece of shit. Snap the hell out of it. This isn’t you, Brad. You aren’t this much of an asshole.”
Brad holds out his arms to the side. “Or am I?” He raises his eyebrows a few times.
“Come on, you’re going to let my brother sink out there?” Dylan asks, his anger already subduing.
“All right. God.” Brad takes his arm and swipes down over Dylan’s grip. “I get it. Okay?”
Dylan backs off, and Brad straightens out his shirt. He turns around. One could hear a pin drop from how quiet it is. Brad’s fingers clasp behind his head, and he paces back and forth in front of the food table.
He looks over at our dad. “You have any idea what it’s like to be second-best? Envious of your best friend who holds everything that you want in his hands?”
My dad stands up and walks toward him.
Brad’s head hangs down. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles.
“I know, Brad. It’s okay.” My dad wraps his arm around Brad’s shoulders and I hear soft sniffles from Brad. I want to run over to him, wrap my arms around his body and make the pain go away. But I won’t because he needs to fix his life himself.
The two of them walk out the doors of the green room.
I follow them to the door, and when we reach the outside, I hear Ken, Tanner’s lawyer, introduce himself to the press. Lana and Patrick are composed, both their hands clasped in front of them. Brad and our dad inch closer, and Lana sees Brad first, a somber look across her face.
I lean against the wall beside Lana. Brad and our dad walk up to the podium, and a million flashes go off. Tanner peers up and shakes his head to Brad, but Brad shakes his right back, placing his hand on Tanner’s shoulder to keep him seated.
“Don’t,” Tanner says.
Brad waits by Ken for his turn at the microphone.
Ken covers up the microphone and leans back to see what exactly is happening now. “Hold on. We’ll be right back. Sorry, everyone.”
Ken ushers them off the stage, the opposite side of us, so the McCains and I go around.
“What the hell is going on?” he asks. “This isn’t the way to get the press conference going.” His hands are stuffed in his pockets as he rolls back and forth on his heels.
“Nothing.” Tanner turns to Brad. “Let it go. I’m fine with this.”
“Don’t seriously make me beat the shit out of you. I’m a prick, and it might have taken me a long time to realize that my jealousy of you was actually ruining our friendship. Truth is, I am, so fucking green with envy that I can barely see straight. It was our dream, Tanner. You got it, and I didn’t. It was hard to swallow. It still is, if I’m being honest.”
“I know.” Tanner’s guilt shows from his sympathetic eyes to his deflated body.
“I’ve made you feel guilty for it,” Brad admits. “I sat back while I let someone I consider my brother lose his girl and now almost his dignity. I’m sorry.”
Brad’s honesty amazes me in this moment, especially after how it took forever for him to come around in the other room. Was it Dylan who finally got through to him?
Lana peers over to me, but I shrug.
“We made the decision together,” Tanner fights.
Brad interjects, “You did it to give me a chance, and I still couldn’t make the team. I should have never let you do it. So, today, we set it straight.” Brad looks Ken in the eyes. “It was me, my urine. Tanner took the fall for me. He’s never touched any pill, powder, or shot that would increase his chances.”
Ken glances to Tanner, and Tanner nods.
“You’re ready to admit that to all those people?” Ken points to the room.
“Yeah. It’s long overdue.” Brad turns around and walks into the room without saying anything else.
Tanner follows, and the rest of us lean against the wall, still absorbing how much these two boys care for one another.
I notice all the confused faces of the press people as Brad takes the podium. My own gut clenches for Brad, but I’m proud of him, too.
Ken stands behind him while Tanner remains next to Brad.