“Addison?”
I blink at Doc. His expression is intense, his focus unwavering, and when he points to Psyche, he says, “There wasn’t poison on her lips when Cupid revived her.”
Snatching both hands back, I clasp them in my lap. I want to tell him, to unburden myself, but how can I?
Then in a voice that feels detached from me, I reply, “No, but she brought it to him just the same.”
Past…
Three thirty and the final bell of the day had rung. I picked up my bag and walked out to my car. I needed to speak to Grayson and I hadn’t gotten a chance all day.
Every time I’d seen him, he’d either been with a student or a teacher. There was no way I could approach him about this at school.
Brandon had been suspended because of me. I was trying not to feel guilty, but it was hard when he’d been right about everything.
“So how’s it feel? Being dumped in front of everyone?”
At the acidic voice, I stopped in front of my car and turned to see Jessica hot on my heels. I wasn’t really in the mood to deal with her, but she’d been extra bitchy lately, and I had no idea why. Maybe it was time I found out.
“What is your problem with me?” I demanded.
She had both of her thumbs tucked into her backpack straps as she gave me a derisive once over.
“Oh, nothing at all, Addy.”
“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.”