CHAPTER 10
After dinner that evening, Max lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling.
“Knock, knock,” said Max’s dad. He stuck his head in the door. “Got a minute?”
Max didn’t answer. What’s the point? he thought. It’s not like I can say no. He was pretty sure his dad was going to lecture him about something.
“Deedee was just in the living room,” Dad said. “She’s pretty upset.”
“So?” Max said. “She’s always upset about something.”
“Well, right now she’s upset about how you’ve been treating her,” Dad said.
“She’s a tattletale,” Max said.
“It’s not okay for you to push her around and pick on her,” Dad said. “How would you like it if some bigger boy pushed you around all the time?”
“I wouldn’t,” Max said. He took a deep breath. “I don’t.” He didn’t mean to say anything, but suddenly everything about Alex and his friends, the school year, and the paintball league all came pouring out.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Dad asked when Max had finished talking.
“I didn’t want to be a tattletale,” Max said. “I figured he’d get bored eventually.”
“But he hasn’t,” Dad said.
“No,” Max agreed. “He’s gotten worse.” He told him about the last thing Alex had done — the big punch in the stomach. “Owen said I should tell on him.”
“Owen was right,” Dad said.
“I know,” said Max.
Dad stood up. “Well, I’ve got a phone call to make, I think,” he said.
“Wait, what?” said Max.
“Your team leader,” Dad said. “Same guy as last year, right? His name’s Jace, isn’t it?”
“Dad, don’t call him,” Max said.
“Max, I have to. Someday you’ll understand,” Dad said, leaving the room.
“Great,” said Max, falling back again onto his bed. “I’m dead.”