Page 29 of Gifts

Keelie takes the few steps toward the door and looks back. “I’ll go watch them pull the video.”

I catch her arm and stop her before she leaves. “Thanks.”

She looks at Levi before widening her eyes at me. “Don’t thank me yet.”

She pulls out of my hold to leave and I sit down next to my son, but he doesn’t say a word. He puts his elbows to the table and buries his face in his hands where he mumbles, repeating, “I didn’t do it, Dad.”

I sigh. “Okay, son.”

He looks up immediately and reiterates firmly, “I didn’t.”

“Like I said, I don’t think you would. I still really hope you didn’t.”

He leans back and crosses his arms. “What if they don’t find anything on the tape?”

I wonder the same thing, but try to make him feel better. “We’ll cross that bridge if we get to it.”

He shakes his head and then, as if he all of a sudden remembers something, he asks, “Are you really dating my counselor?”

I raise a brow and tell him the truth because after reading her history last night, I’m not sure what the fuck I’m doing. I do know if I pursue Keelie Lockhart, it’s a whole other ballgame that I didn’t expect. “I’m not doing anything yet.”

“Emma said you’re a freak over her. Said it was embarrassing and our lives at school will never be the same.”

“She did, did she?”

“I don’t care.” He frowns and gestures to the room, emphasizing the current situation he’s in. “She’s cool. I’m good with it.”

I look up to the ceiling and shake my head. Never thought I’d be sitting at my kid’s school after they found drugs in his locker as he tells me he’s good with me being with his widowed counselor.

What the hell? I’m forty-fucking-three and have no fucking clue what I’m doing. This full-time parenting shit isn’t easy. I rub my face wondering how I ever thought traveling the world while taking out the scum of the earth was hard. That shit was easy compared to this.

Chapter 7

Transparent

Keelie

I watch the recording of a student I’m not familiar with use a master key to get into Levi’s locker while, of all people, Maggie Stockton, stood as lookout. The boy who tossed the drugs and paraphernalia inside looked much older than the freshman girl I made a visit to on Friday. My instincts last week were right on, but what she’s into or how deep? I have no idea.

“I knew it.” I put my hands to my hips and let out the breath I’ve been holding. I’m not sure who I was more nervous for—Levi because I didn’t want to believe he would compromise his future, Asa, because for the first time in forever a man is making my insides churn and I didn’t want him to go through this, or relief for myself professionally since I demanded to see the video. “Levi’s a good kid. It just didn’t add up.”

“Can you ID those students?” the officer asks.

“The girl is Maggie Stockton,” I offer.

“Unfortunately, I’d recognize him a mile away. That’s Terry Mosher.” Brett exhales and sounds exhausted even though it’s only lunchtime. “He spent plenty of time in my office over the past two years. He’s skated the line, but we’ve never caught him stepping over it like this.”

“We’re going to need a copy of the video. I assume you’ll keep a copy, for their records?” the officer asked Brett.

“Yes.” My principal leans back in his chair. “This is a mess. Not only have we had five hits this morning, but now we have students setting up other students.”

“Levi seems to get along with everyone. I wonder what he did to be targeted?” I ask.

“I don’t know, but we’ll do everything we can to figure it out. I’ll pull Terry from class. Maggie is Tom’s student, he can get her and we’ll question them separately.” Brett stands and looks to me. “Hollingsworth should stay put in case we have any questions for him, but do you want to deliver the news that he’s clear?”

I smile. “That’s news I’d love to deliver.”

I go back to the conference room where I’m sure Asa and Levi are stressed to the gills. When I open the door, my thoughts are confirmed. Two sets of deep, dark hazel eyes snap to me before I step through the door and close it.

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