“What was that all about?” Pam asked as we got into the Charger.
“Your parents being goofs. Where are we going?” I asked.
We ended up going to the diner by the hospital because Pam wanted pie. They had fresh peach, so we both picked that. It was something special. Then Pam wanted to break in the Charger. I took her to the lake and we opened the back doors and got into the back seat. There was much more room than in the Jeep!
ON MY WAY HOME FROM my date, I got a text from Brock Callahan. He asked me to come to Jan’s party. I was a little concerned that that meant he was there, which meant other football players were there as well. I really didn’t want them mixing with people doing drugs.
I drove by the party and found the place was packed. I didn’t want the Charger anywhere near drunk teenagers so I drove down the block and parked on the side street. I made the walk to the party already knowing I wasn’t staying. I just needed to check on my guys. As I walked up, I saw one of the guys I knew from my drug days peeing in the neighbor’s bushes. It wasn’t going to be long before the police were called.
When I walked in, I saw half the team there. I was most disappointed to see Tim. As my co-captain, he should know better. Then I heard a girl’s voice saying, “No, no, no,” but muffled. I made a beeline to see what was going on. One of my ex-drug buddies was guarding the door.
“Hang on, David, they’re just having a little fun.”
“Move,” was all I said, and he stepped out of the way.
I opened the door and found Wayne and Ray holding down Kylie. They had her t-shirt pushed up around her neck and her bra pulled down as they mauled her breasts. Ray had his hands shoved down the front of her shorts and you could tell he had his hand between her legs. Wayne and Ray were two of the guys I used to have lunch with first semester last year. They were both going to be on the JV team this year.
“SON OF A BITCH!” I boomed.
Wayne and Ray’s eyes got big as they saw their death written in my look. Both guys let Kylie go and she scrambled off the bed. By then Tim had joined me.
“Watch them,” I ordered Tim.
Kylie had me in a death grip and was shaking. Emma and Piper showed up and took her off my hands. I walked into the living room and turned off the music.
“IF YOU EVER PLAN ON PLAYING FOOTBALL AGAIN, GET YOUR ASSES OUTSIDE!” I screamed over the crowd noise.
There was a mad scramble to get outside. The team had never seen me like this. Tim walked Wayne and Ray out. I made them stand next to me and sent Tim back in to find any guys we missed. He came back out with Brock and Bryan Callahan.
“They were having sex with Jan,” Tim said so only I could hear.
“Was it consensual?” I asked.
“She was either drunk or high. So, technically, probably not.”
“What are we going to do about this?” I asked.
“Emotions are running high right now. I suggest we talk tomorrow and then have a team meeting on Wednesday. We need to find out if Kylie and Jan want to press charges. If they do, this could turn into a shit-storm,” Tim said.
“You better talk to the team, right now because if I do, I’ll say some things I shouldn’t,” I said.
Tim told them there was going to be a full team meeting on Wednesday and sent them home. I made the four guys who I considered rapists to stay.
“You guys crossed a line tonight. First of all, Wayne and Ray, NO MEANS NO!” I said.
“But she went with us willingly,” Wayne said.
“I could hear her saying ‘no’ from the other side of the door. If she was so willing, why did you have to hold her down, and why did she run as soon as you let her up?” I asked.
Neither one would look at me. Then I turned on the Callahan twins.
“What’s your story?” I asked.
“Jan was up for it. She wanted you to join in. That was why we sent you the text,” Brock said.
“Guys, it’s one thing if a girl is sober and she wants to play,” Tim said. “She has to be able to give consent. If she’s drunk or stoned, she is off-limits. I hope I don’t have to explain this more than once to you two. Think how you’d react if two guys were spending time with your sister.”
I was glad to see Tim was getting the seriousness of this.
“We are State Champions. The microscope is going to be on us. There was a deal in LA not too long ago where fourteen guys were arrested. The sex ranged from consensual to assault. I will string you up if we have something like that happening here. As leaders in the community, we have to stay aboveboard and not be seen as clichés: the jocks that victimize innocent girls,” I said.
“But,” Bryan started.
“No buts! I don’t care if she’s the biggest skank in school. You’ll be seen as the bad guys and it could derail what we’re doing here. Just so you know, if either or both girls pursue charges, David and I will assist in any way we can to see you get convicted! I want you all to know this is serious shit!” Tim said.
Tim and I went back into the party to make sure all the girls who wanted to leave had a ride. I ended up taking Emma, Piper and Kylie home. I dropped off the sisters first. I pulled up in front of Kylie’s home and turned my car off.
“I’m so embarrassed,” Kylie said.
“Do you want me to go in with you to talk to your parents about what happened?” I asked.
“No! Please, don’t do that to me,” she begged.
“Okay, but I’m going to have Tracy talk to you. She has some insight into what happened to you tonight. You need to be able to talk to someone, and she’ll keep your confidence.”
“Thank you, David. I owe you so much ... just ... thank you,” she said and went inside.
Even though it was late, I called Tracy and told her what happened. I didn’t trust Kylie to make the call. I also told her about Jan. She thanked me and planned to talk to both of them. She had gone through much worse. She could at least offer a sympathetic ear.
Wednesday July 1
TIM, JIM AND I MET prior to the team meeting to decide what to do. We talked to Jan and Kylie before our meeting. Jan felt it was no big deal. Kylie was devastated. It was sad to see the once outgoing girl afraid to go out alone. Tracy talked to her and all she would say was they were taking care of it. Whatever Kylie was doing wasn’t really my business. I wasn’t sure who ‘they’ were, either.
I told Tracy that Tim, Jim and I had a meeting with the team scheduled. I wasn’t really surprised when Mona showed up. There were a hundred and eighteen guys waiting on us when we entered the gym. I was surprised when the coaching staff quietly went to the top of the bleachers and sat down. Tim was about to have a meltdown, and Jim was pissed, so it was decided I would talk.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Good morning,” the team answered.
“I’m sure you’ve heard rumors of what happened Monday night. Let’s get everything out in the open so we can deal with it. Jan Duke had a party at her home at which alcohol and drugs were available. I have asked around, and there are no reports of football players using any drugs. If I’m incorrect about the drugs, please tell me now,” I said, then waited for someone to tell me differently.
I wasn’t expecting anyone would, but I had to ask.
“So, no big deal, right?” I asked and got several head-nods. “Here’s where it all gets complicated. We have two instances where team members were with cheerleaders, behind closed doors, at the party. No one is denying the girls went into the rooms voluntarily. In one instance, the girl in question was clearly under the influence. She further states, after the fact, the encounter was consensual.
“The other girl clearly verbalized her desire to not have the encounter continue, by loudly telling the two guys, ‘no.’ Loud enough that I heard it through a closed door. I entered the room to stop the encounter. The cheerleader in question is having a very rough time of it, after the fact.