291 Busted 3 (2/2)

”Dad!”

”We wouldn't do that!”

The twins spoke up for a second but we were shut down with a single glare from their father.

”I wasn't forced.” I said, meekly. ”It was just suggested that this could help with my social anxiety.”

”And who suggested that?” Mr. Atkins tone became strict again.

”Well-technically, Dr. Moore.” I responded, trying to shield the twins and Noah. ”He said I should reach out more and try talking to strangers.” I looked at Noah. ”At first, I didn't like the crowd, but Noah helped me find a more spacious place to hang out.” I looked back at Mr. Atkins. ”We didn't drink at all! And I promise that we were good!”

Mr. Atkins saw my remorseful face and let out a heavy sigh as he sat back down. ”Jake, I'm glad it wasn't awful for you, but you boys should have known it was a bad idea to go. Especially without permission.”

”But if we asked for permission, you would have never let us gone.” Dave pointed out.

”Well we won't know now, will we?”

Dave sat up straight and looked his dad in the eye. ”I know it. And you know it too. You and Mom would never let us go to a party, even if we didn't drink, cause trouble, or stay out too late. Zeke may follow your rules blindly, but I won't. You're taking away our freedom.”

”Freedom?” Mr. Atkins faced his son with a cold expression. ”We give you children plenty of freedom and choices. Until you're 18 though, you will follow the rules of this house set by me and your mother.”

”He's just saying that we feel a little trapped, Dad.” Kyle defended. ”All we do is school and baseball. Even our free time is taken up by baseball. Shouldn't we be able to cut loose and have fun every once in awhile?”

Mr. Atkins shifted his gaze to the other son. ”Cut loose? Okay, you were able to go out and have fun last night. I hope you enjoyed it. From now on, all of you are grounded until Zeke's graduation. That means no going out unless it's to school or practice. Anything else will require me or your mother present.”

Oh? That's it? I perked up, happy not to be physically punished.

Noah caught sight of my happiness and shook his head. ”That means we can't go to the cages unless Mom or Dad isn't busy. And so much for extra practice this week. We'll be trapped here.”

Oh. I slouched. That doesn't sound as good as I thought. I looked up at Mr. Atkins. ”So we can't go to the cages today?”

Mr. Atkins shook his head no. ”Absolutely not. You boys have broken my trust. I can't be sure that is actually where you'll be. I have a few open houses to show today, so you four will be staying here. And cleaning. And studying. Midterms are coming up this week. I better not see any C's on anyone's progress report.”

”But Dad-” Dave started.

”There is no 'but dad.'” Mr. Atkins cut him off. ”These are the consequences of your own actions. I haven't even figured out how to tell you mom yet. You're lucky that her flight was late and that she's still sleeping. I'm sure she'll want to speak with each of you about your decisions last night.” He looked around, nodding at our depressed expressions. ”Very good. Let's eat now. I won't be home for lunch, so you boys will be stuck with making your own. I'll bring dinner home. My choice.”

We slowly started to load up our plates. None of us felt like eating, but our stomachs disagreed and needed food to produce energy.

”Does this mean...that if Kyle wanted to go out on a date...he would have to take you or Mom?” Noah brought up.

Mr. Atkins dropped his fork on his plate, surprised.