Page 84 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

I’m not sure if she can see June well, since we took the back row in the SUV, but I can. “It’s part of the deal you made with that son of a bitch, isn’t it? You can’t smear his image.”

June drops her gaze to her lap. “I didn’t change my story to the police. They know Bill has been harassing me, but I can’t say anything to the press that will make him look bad.”

I rub my face, trying to control my anger. I’m not mad at June, I’m mad at myself for losing control at her school.

“Did you sign anything, or did Bill record you agreeing to that?” Melissa asks.

“No.”

“Then you don’t need to keep your end of the bargain.” Melissa grins. “Bill already declined to press charges, and the police have on record that he was harassing you previously. We have the report from the security at the arena as well.”

June hugs her middle. She seems conflicted about Melissa’s response. I throw my arm over her shoulder and pull her close to me.

“I’ve already drafted a press release indicating Jake was protecting his girlfriend,” Doug adds. “But we need an excuse for Lachy and Ryan.”

“Wait—does the press know we got arrested too?” Ryan asks.

I snort. “Why are you surprised?”

“Why did you get arrested?” Melissa asks them.

“We felt left out?” Lachy answers with a question.

Melissa narrows her eyes. “What’s the word you like to use a lot? Eejits. That’s what you are.”

“Oh, Tammy got back to me. She’s keen on doing that profile interview. It’s the perfect opportunity to clean up their image,” Doug tells Melissa.

“What profile interview?” I ask.

“Something I put in motion a couple weeks ago. I want Tammy to come to your apartment and interview all of you.”

“What?” Lachy blurts out. “When were you planning to tell us that?”

“When I got confirmation. There was no point in freaking you out beforehand,” Melissa replies.

“I don’t need to be in this interview, right?” June asks, her voice small and a little panicked.

“No, hon. It’s only for the boys. I want to shift the attention from your relationship with Jake.” Melissa looks at Ryan and Lachy, then faces forward again. “It’s the smart thing to do.”

“Yes, thank you,” June replies, then looks out the window.

I take her hand and link our fingers together, but she doesn’t glance at me. Hell, is she reconsidering our relationship? I’ve never been in a situation where I worried about a woman walking out on me, and I don’t know how to read the signs.

I can’t lose her, not now, not ever.

CHAPTER 35

JUNE

Iasked Doug to drop me off at school, and I could tell the boys didn’t like the idea that I wasn’t coming home with them. But I have to do damage control on my end as well. I didn’t tell them that Principal Prescott left me a message, asking to see me ASAP. Jake is already feeling terribly guilty about what happened, and I don’t want to add to it.

The students have all gone home, but the faculty won’t leave for another hour or so. My stomach is in knots. I have no idea if I still have a job. The whole situation was caused by my personal drama, after all. The school has a zero-tolerance policy for violence, and my boyfriend started a fight with my ex. On pins and needles, I text Katrina.

ME: Did you speak with Prescott after the incident?

KATRINA: No. Where are you now?

ME: I’m back at school, walking to her office.

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