Page 23 of Love Not Qualified

I don’t think I would’ve done that if I wasn’t drunk especially because we just met

Chad BITT

Why not?

ME

because we just met? I’m surprised you’re still talking to me

Chad BITT

What kind of fools have you dated to run because you turned them on?

Me

you have no idea. but I’m glad you’re nothing like them

SEVEN

TRISTAN

With each tick of the clock above the Headmaster’s office, my jaw clenched and my teeth ground on each other in annoyance. I focused on appearing present in the conversation even though the woman had been repeating the same things over and over. My attention had been long lost.

After she called this morning to inform me that Ryker had been caught using drugs at the perimeter of the school, I had to calm myself in the parking lot before facing anyone.

First, because I didn’t want to lash out at Ryker, and second, because I knew a long conversation was waiting for me.

She kept rephrasing but ended up with the same conclusion every time. “Such a prestigious high school doesn’t tolerate incidents like this and I do hope you understand this is the last time I’ll turn a blind eye to Ryker’s destructive behavior.”

My body tensed in an instant, a vein on my forehead pulsing rapidly as I scanned the older woman in front of me. Dad always taught me how important it was to respect the others around you in order to be respected, but Hannah Conner had crossed a line.

Ryker might have been in the wrong, but that didn’t give her any right to talk that way about him.

She gulped, settling in her seat with her chest thrust out. “If he has problems at home, you could take him to a therapist. It’d do him good if you could join him.”

‘Problems at home’ translated to ‘problems with you’.

The headmaster was aware I was his legal guardian and for some reason, her even imagining that I might have been at fault for the way Ryker behaved lately had me on edge.

I got up to my feet, closing the buttons of my coat as I stared her down. She didn’t bother to stand up, satisfied to watch me from the comfort of her seat.

“Ryker won’t be suspended,” I instructed.

Her jaw fell to the floor, mouth agape as she pressed her palms onto her desk. “Excuse me? I’m sorry, Mr. Graves. Are we not speaking the same lang?—”

“Ryker won’t be suspended,” I repeated calmly. “That is, if the cameras in your office are still working and aren’t there only to collect dust. I believe admitting that one of your students takes part in ‘destructive behavior’ wouldn’t look great after six years with an immaculate reputation.”

When I realized I wouldn’t get anything else from her besides the shock etched on her features as she gazed at the camera in the left corner of the room, I walked myself outside.

Ryker was pressed on the wall, along with the sole of one of his shoes. His head moved in my direction, an unimpressed look resting on his face.

“Come on.” I tipped the exit with my head.

He obliged with a huff, quickening his speed. As soon as we walked into the chilly air, he put one finger into each of his nostrils and scooped out his nose ring.

My brother marched to our car as if I was the one who had just been caught doing drugs at school. He grabbed the handle of the door in an attempt to get inside.

I kept the car locked and stopped a few steps from him. He turned to me, eyes narrowed and lips pursed.

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