Page 144 of Meet Me at the Metro

“Let’s talk outside,” Kimberley abruptly interjects, motioning everyone but John outside. She spares him a warning glare as we file out of the door. “Don’t you dare even move an inch. I’m not finished talking with you.”

Kim sighs as soon as the door to her office shuts. “What do you think will happen to you if you go to the police, Theo? Sure, they might handle John, but what about when they see what you’ve done to him? You could be charged with assault and battery.”

“Assault and battery?!”Connor exclaims. “He was protecting Ellie, Mum.”

“Yes, I understand that, but they won’t see it quite as graciously as I am. They’re going to take one look at his bloody—possibly broken—nose, ruptured eye vessel, and bruised face and present Theo with charges that could threaten his entire future.”

Nora goes stiff in my arms.

“I don’t give a damn, Kim. I care that Nora’s safe.”

“You areonesemester away from graduating, Theo.Onesemester away from seeingyears’worth of work finally pay off. You seriously want to threaten that—throw it all away when you’re this close? Your father would hate that.”

“Don’t bring him into this,” I snap.

“She’s right, Theo,” Nora whispers beside me. She’s looking away as I glance down at her, but I don’t miss the tears gathering in her eyes. “You can’t risk getting in trouble. This ismyproblem, not yours.”

“Look at me,” I tell her softly, tilting up her chin. “Your problems are equally mine. Besides, you didn’t ask for any of this. Nothing that’s happened has been by your choice.”

“So let me choose, then. I don’t want to go to the police. I don’t want you to get in trouble, Theo—to lose everything.”

I shake my head vehemently, disagreeing completely. “I want you safe. Ineedyou safe, Nora. It means so much more to me than the consequences that might come from this.”

“You’ve worked too hard to let this destroy your future.”

“You’re my future.”

“Please, Theo,” Nora begs, tears spilling down her cheeks. The sight of it tears me up. She’s had so damn much thrown her way. It’s not fair. “Please, please, please.Don’t make us go to the police. Don’t make me steal everything you’ve worked so hard for.”

“You won’t be. None of this is your fault.”

“I can take care of John,” Kim suggests.

All I can do is shake my head in disbelief.

“I mean it, Theo. I will handle him. I’ll ensure he’s prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities, including the spring production. I’ll rearrange his schedule so that he’s not on campus at the same time as Ellie. I’ll make sure that he knows that if he tries bothering her again, it will be reported directly to the Chancellor, who will immediately terminate his position here atGildenhill.”

“You can’t make that happennow?”

“Do you not see the state of him? I’m doing my best to take care of this without raising suspicions. I’m trying to keep you out of trouble.”

“I don’t care about keeping out of trouble! I care about her.”

“And I care about you,” Nora interrupts. “I care about keeping you out of trouble, Theo. That should count for something, shouldn’t it? If going to the police is going to risk you getting charges that could have you serving time or getting kicked out ofGildenhill, then I don’t want to go.”

This girl is too damn selfless and stubborn for her own good. It’s destroying me.

“Let me fix this,” Kim offers again. “Let me help.”

I look toward Harvey and Connor, seeking any advice or direction they could offer me about the messy matter on my hands, but their gazesare set on the floor. Nora’s red-stricken eyes are the only ones sharing an opinion.

I want to scream. Hell, I want to cry. I’m so damn worried for her—so enraged for her. All I want to do is get her help, but the way I’d prefer to do that would crush her completely.

“Please let her help,” she begs, squeezing my hand.

I’m completely torn. I clench my eyes shut momentarily and try to quell the pounding in my head.

“Please, Teddy.”

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