Powerslide by Jeff Ross Read Free Book Online

shone their flashlights across Henderson’s front lawn and the adjoining woods.
    â€œWait,” I said. The officers clicked their flashlights off and walked to the front door. “Okay, let’s go.” We were about to dart onto the sidewalk when a gray Toyota rolled up in front of our hiding spot. We pulled back into the bushes and crouched as close to the ground as possible. The driver had a digital device of some kind in his hand. He stopped the car and opened his door. When he stepped out, I recognized him as the photographer that kept snapping shots of Jack everywhere.
    â€œHow did he find us here?” I whispered.
    â€œI don’t know,” Jack said. “Maybe he listens to the police scanners.”
    â€œWhat’s in his hand?” Sara asked.
    The photographer kept looking at the device and then up at the darkened forest. He took a couple of steps forward, noticed the police cruiser down the street, got back in his car and drove off.
    â€œLet’s get out of here,” Jack said.
    â€œYeah,” I said. “Let’s go.” As we walked quickly down the street, I tried to forget how angry, and sad, Mr. Henderson had looked. I tried to focus on why I was doing all this. But most of all, I wanted to know how that photographer had found us.

chapter ten
    The next day, when Sara and I arrived at the half-pipe, my leg was still hurting. I sat on the ramp and watched Sara pull off some beautiful airs. We had plans to meet Jack here, but, as always, he was late. It was a warm, late-August Sunday, and it seemed as if everyone in town who skated was at the ramp or messing around on a few street obstacles set up on the basketball court.
    Sara rolled to the top of the ramp and hopped off. Someone else dropped in, and the steady drone of wheels on plywood started up again.
    â€œThat was really good,” I said.
    â€œCould be better,” she said. “I’m tired today. Out too late, you know?” She leaned against the back railing and slid down beside me. She didn’t say anything for a minute. Then she said, “Casey, why are you doing this?” Which was exactly what I had been thinking,
    â€œDoing what?” I said.
    â€œThe stupid competition with Goat that Jack is making you do.”
    â€œBecause I don’t have a choice, Sara. I told you that before.”
    â€œYou always have a choice. You can say no.”
    â€œAnd then Goat gets the trainer and stunt-double work? Did you see how he’s already cut his hair so he looks more like Jack?”
    â€œSo what, Casey. I mean, what do you need to be a stunt double for?”
    â€œTo make money. To have a career. To do what I love.”
    â€œYou can skate whenever you want. You don’t have to be a stunt double to do that. You’re seventeen! Why are you even thinking about a career?”
    I shook my head. “Sure, I can skate all I want, but the days will tick away. I have to find something to do,” I said.
    She crossed her arms in front of her. “You’re good in school when you work at it. You’re smart. You can go to college.” Sara was going to college, and one of her few deficiencies was that she could not understand why anyone else wouldn’t. “It seems stupid. Jack’s playing games with you guys, and he’s loving it. He has all this power.”
    â€œNo, he doesn’t,” I said quickly.
    Sara shrugged and stood up. “Whatever you say, Casey.” She put the tail of her board on the coping and dropped back in.
    Jack arrived an hour late. He got out of his car with his cell phone to his ear. He was in a real skater outfit today. Someone had probably shipped the clothes to him, and he had put them on without a thought, in anticipation of the paparazzi. Sara was right. Jack was playing a game. He was playing a game with Goat and me, and he was playing a game with himself. It was a game called Pretend. After all, that’s