Hidden Scars (Darby U Hockey Boys, #1)

by Andi Jaxon

* * * Why can’t I move? I have to move. Run. Hide. All I can hear are his footsteps and my ragged breathing. My arms are heavy, weighed down by something I can’t see. Have I been drugged? Father never drugs me, too aware of the drug testing the team does. He’s coming. I have to run. Run. Hide. He’s going to find you. Hurt you. Again. Terror grips me by the throat as he gets closer. I’m frozen in place by my fear. I know he’s going to hurt me again but I can’t stop it. He’s bigger than me, stronger than me. He’s trying to make you better. The bedroom door opens with a bang against the wall and I scream. Loud and long, blood curdling. “Strong boys don’t scream like scared little girls, man up.” He’s angry. I messed up. Let my anger consume me and left Jeremy unprotected to get hurt during the game. But he’s mine. My fingers ache but I can’t see them. Father comes toward me with a cattle prod and zaps me on the back. I scream again, crying from the pain. “I will not allow you to tarnish this family’s name, you worthless little shit.” Spit hits my cheek as he speaks, his fingers gripping at my arms so hard I’m sure to have bruises. Why does he hurt me? No one else on the team has parents who hurt them. Why am I such a bad kid? “Preston.” Jeremy? Why is he here? “Preston, wake up.” What? There are hands on me but they aren’t hurting me. I don’t understand.