Page 67 of Wicked Scandal

Mayor Jenkins finally wraps up his speech, after reminding everyone to vote for him in the election, of course.

He’s a real class act. I shouldn’t be surprised that he’d use our ceremony to try and get votes.

Next, our names are called one by one.

After Rome is called to the stage to collect his diploma, it’s my turn. Once I’m up there, facing the crowd, I find Cat standing at the end of the bleachers by the fence, alone. I freeze momentarily in front of everyone as our eyes lock. She waves her hand at me, smiling, and I suddenly remember what I’m supposed to be doing.

Shit. I walk across the stage and shake Principal Hargrove’s hand before accepting my diploma from Brady.

More than anything, I want to go to her instead of sitting back down and listening impatiently for everyone else’s names to be called. Fortunately, our class isn’t too large so it goes by quickly.

The past week had been a blur without Cat by my side. I dropped into her classroom during her lunch break on Wednesday, just to see her for a few minutes. We’ve been chatting on the app every day, but it’s not enough. I’ve been missing her like crazy.

The minute we flip our tassels and toss our caps in the air, I haul ass in her direction, leaving my cap on the ground on the field.

I push through the swarm of families greeting their graduates, and my eyes find hers again, never leaving them until I’m in front of her at the fence. “You came,” I say with the little breath I have left in me.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She lifts a smile before it quickly drops. “I can’t stay, though. Troy doesn’t know I’m here and if he…” Her words trail off and I turn my head to follow her gaze and realize why she suddenly looks so pale. “Oh no,” she says timidly.

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “We’re in a public place. You’ll be fine.”

Coming in our direction is Troy. His face is red, his hands clenched while storming toward us with the anger of a pissed-off bull. He wouldn’t dare make a scene here with all these voters watching, though. There’s not a chance in hell. But that doesn’t mean Cat won’t reap the consequences later.

Behind Troy, I notice my parents, Rome, and Elodie coming toward us, nothing but smiles.

This can’t end well.

“Shouldn’t you be home in bed, darling?” Troy says sternly to Cat. “You’re sick, after all.”

Cat rolls her lips together nervously before nodding. “I was feeling better and thought I’d come watch my students graduate.” Her voice cracks and breaks and I fucking hate that he does this to her.

“Congratulations, son,” Dad says as he joins us, his hard gaze landing on Troy. “Everything okay here?”

“No,” Troy responds harshly. “I don’t think everything is okay. Is it, Wilder?”

“Look,” Dad begins. “If this is about Wilder and his friends crashing at your guesthouse, I’ve dealt with it like I said I would.”

I look at Cat and I can see she’s surprised by the lie Troy told. What I don’t understand is why he told the lie in the first place. I can only assume he’s embarrassed that his wife is sneaking around with her student and wouldn’t dare let it get out to the public.

“It doesn’t look like you’re handling it at all,” Troy hisses. “Everywhere my wife goes lately, your son is there.” He steps up to my dad, raising his voice while people begin gathering around us. “If you know what’s good for you, Cromwell, you’ll keep your damn son away from my wife. I’d hate for us to have to file for a protection order.”

“A protection order?” Dad laughs. “Why would she possibly need protection from Wilder? He’s just her student.”

Dad looks at me and I’m certain he can see right through me. Despite my attempt to hide the truth, I feel like it’s written all over my face.

“Is there something you need to tell me, Wilder?” Dad asks skeptically.

“Tell him, Wilder,” Troy cuts in. “Tell him the truth. That you’re obsessed with my wife and now you’re practically stalking her.”

Cat opens her mouth to speak, to defend me, but I speak first because I’d rather Troy’s anger be directed at me. “That’s not true,” I blurt out. “She’s been helping me with your campaign speeches.”

Oh fuck. I can’t believe I just said that.

I try to recant what I said. “I mean, with an assignment in a finance class I’m taking online.”

All the blood drains from my face when I watch Troy move closer to Cat. Fortunately, there is a fence between her and us. But still, this will not end well for her. She can’t be alone with him tonight, or ever.

“No, no.” Troy shakes his head. “You said speeches. Is that true, Catherine?” He looks at her with a clenched jaw. “Have you been helping this boy write his dad’s campaign speeches?”

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