“Yeah, that’s obvious.” I snorted, and the sound was ugly even to my own ears. “If you want Brandon, he’s all yours. I don’t care.”

Teenage girls can be cruel. I should know because over the last year I hadn’t always been the kindest.

“Gee, thanks for the permission. You know, it’s about time you were brought back down to earth. Apparently, you aren’t Little Miss Perfect. That’s nice to know.”

“I never said I was.”

Jessica’s mouth twisted into an ugly snarl. “No, but you sure do act that way.”

This day just wasn’t letting up. It continued to get shittier with every passing second.

“What. Do. You. Want?”

“I want everyone to see the shy little loser you really are. The same old Addison Lancaster as before.”

Tick, tick, tock.

She was not going there, was she?

My bag slid down my arm as my anger bubbled up inside of me.

“Before what, Jessica? If you’re going to be a bitch, then just let it all out.”

She raised an eyebrow and gave a scathing laugh. “Everyone tiptoes around you since Daniel died. We all know it was your fault. But it was two years ago, time to—”

That was it. I lunged at her, grabbing a fistful of her hair, and yanked her in close. When I was only inches from her, I shouted, “Shut up! Don’t ever say his name.”

She clawed at my arm, her nails digging into my skin, but I refused to let go.

How dare she even think his name?

“You are fucking crazy!”

She was right. At that moment, I felt insane. But I needed to know what was going on behind my back.

“Who said that?” I asked, pulling her hair harder.

“Let go of my fucking hair!”

“Answer me,” I hissed, spitting like an angry cat.

“Brandon. He said you’re a freak! That you count when he fucks you.”

Shocked and embarrassed, I pushed her away and slumped back against the car.

I counted out loud? Fuck, I always thought it was in my head.

“It must have been nice for him to finally screw someone normal.”

That final jab from her was perfectly timed, and before I knew it, my hand flew up and cracked against her cheek.

Instead of being shocked or upset, Jessica’s mouth pulled into a distorted smile. “Time’s up, Addy. Move along.”

With that, Jessica marched off to her car. As she disappeared, my eyes caught on the man leaning back against his truck with one hell of a serious frown on his face.

How long had he been standing there?

Knowing I was about to get suspended right along with Brandon, I sighed and bent down to pick up my bag. I didn’t even want to look at Grayson right now. I felt defeated and was starting to believe I really was the crazy lunatic they all thought I was.

Did I do this on purpose to be suspended? Because I felt guilty about Brandon? Who knew at this point.

I unlocked my car and threw my bag in just as I felt him approach. We weren’t standing close, but it felt as if he was touching me.

“Want to tell me what that was about?”

As always, his voice soothed me, but I still couldn’t bring myself to face him. I felt like a child, like his student.

“Just report me, and be done with it. I’ll be suspended, and this whole fucked up day can be over with.”

I was about to slide into my car when his hand moved to the roof and my name fell from his lips.

“Addison, look at me.”

I could feel the wetness on my face as I shifted and did as I was told.

“What happened?”

I swiped the tears away and shook my head. “Nothing, I just need to go. My mom is going to kill me when she finds out.”

“Hey, talk to me. That was the deal, right?”

I laughed then and looked around us. No one was in sight.

“Meet me later, if you still want to. Then I’ll talk.”

“I can’t. I need to go and see my father.”

“Please?”

He sighed, frustrated. “Where?”

“I’ll be with Daniel.”

He stepped back and asked, “Is this over? What happened here with Jessica?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m pretty sure she said what she wanted to say.”

“I should take you back inside to see Principal Thomas, you know that, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

He rubbed his weary face. “Get in your car, and go home. If she reports it, then…”

It went unsaid that he would have to back the claim, but I doubted Jessica would say anything. I had the scratches on my arm to prove she was just as involved.

“I understand.”

“Good. Now go.”

I got inside my car and watched him disappear in my rearview mirror as I pulled away. We’d have a chance later to talk about what really needed to be said.

* * *

Fuck. Today just wasn’t getting any better.

As Addison’s car left the lot, I had to wonder where my priorities were.

This morning I’d had Brandon suspended for threatening a student and this afternoon—right now? I’d let Addison leave after a fight in the parking lot.

Fuck.

I was almost at my truck when Helene stepped out from around the front.

I’d always wondered how criminals felt when they were caught, and with each step she took, bringing herself closer and closer to me, I could feel my chest tightening and my palms sweating. This was it—I was caught.

“Grayson.”

I tried for a smile, even though it felt more like a grimace, and when she beamed back at me, I felt the fist around my heart slowly loosening.

“I’m glad I caught you.”

Nice choice of words. Were they on purpose?

“You are?” I asked, feeling nervous and hating it. Where the fuck had my confidence gone? I shoved my clammy hands into my pockets and tried to appear relaxed.

“Yes. After this morning, my day just got out of control.”

That was an understatement if ever I’d heard one.

“So…I was wondering if you’d like to maybe go out and get dinner? Unwind a little.”

Oh shit, she was asking me on a date. Think, Grayson.

“Just as friends, if you like.”

Think fucking fast.

She shrugged her purse strap up her arm, and all I could think about was the way Addison did the same thing with her backpack.

“I was actually just about to go and visit my father.”

That wasn’t a lie. I was about to go and visit him until Addison had asked me to meet her instead.

“Oh,” Helene replied, and I could tell she thought I was lying.

Well, maybe I could go and see dad today before I drove over to Oakwood.

“I didn’t know you had family here.”

“Yeah,” was my brilliant response. God, snap the fuck out of it. “He’s the reason I moved back. He’s not very well.”

“I’m really sorry to hear that,” she offered and stepped closer, reaching out to comfort me. Why did I feel nothing with her? Life would be so much easier if I did. I looked down at her hand on my arm and then back to her face.

“If you need someone to talk to…”

“Okay.”

She gave a tight grin. “Because you’re so talkative.”

I chuckled. “I’m sorry. I guess my mind’s somewhere else.”

She moved past me but at the last moment stopped and asked, “Oh, do you need me to come with you in the morning to report Addy?”

Just like that, the tight fist around my heart returned. I turned to face her and wondered what she was thinking, but it was clear—she’d seen everything.

The fight, me talking with Addison, and finally, me letting Addison leave without repercussion—so why the pretense? Why the invite to dinner?

“Sure. I figured it would be easier for everyone to deal with in the morning.” When did I turn into such a fucking liar? “Especially after the incident with Brandon. I let Addison know we’d be dealing with it tomorrow.”

There was a moment of silence, and I swore it felt more like ten minutes than ten seconds.

“How’d she take it?” Helene asked.

“Not well.”

“That’s going to mess with her track practice.”

“Yeah. I bet.”

She shrugged. “Oh well. She knows the rules. Doesn’t mean I don’t wish I could bend them. You know?”

I couldn’t even formulate an answer. I was too busy thinking back to my conversation with Addison and trying to remember if I’d done anything inappropriate. No, I didn’t think so.

I hadn’t touched her like I wanted. I’d made sure to touch the car.

“It’s such a shame, she’s really let me down. Not to mention her parents. They’ll be terribly upset if she can’t compete at State.”

She seemed to reflect on that thought for a moment, and I wondered if she was also disappointed because Addison hadn’t lived up to whatever expectations she had placed on her. “Well, I’ll let you go so you can visit your father.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

Helene made her way to the car, and as she opened the door and looked back to where I was standing, she called out, “I’ll see you in the morning at Principal Thomas’s office. How’s seven forty-five?”

Faking a smile, I returned, “Perfect!”

As she shut the door, I let out my first real breath since she’d approached and thought of how to tell Addison she was getting suspended. I knew what would happen when her parents found out and the hell she would pay.

Perfect? Not even close. No, try a fucking disaster waiting to happen.

Chapter Twenty-One