Page 22 of Dangerous

“We missed you this summer. Where were you? What were you doing?” Deena leaned into my side, giving me a partial hug.

“Who cares about that? I want to know all the dirt about Mr. Evans and his baby. Who’s the mom? Why does he have custody? Or is she still in his life? Is he sleeping with her while he’s with the other guys? Are all four of them in a relationship? Ohh, wouldn’t that be hot?—”

“Take a breath, Sasha. Let Katy eat a little and I’m sure she’ll share what she can,” Daisy admonished. I mouthed “thank you” to her before ducking under the table to pull my lunch from my bag. I fumbled with it, hoping they’d move on to a different subject, but luck wasn’t on my side.

“Come on, Katy. Spill the tea.”

I sat up and sighed as I unwrapped my sandwich. To buy myself a little more time, I took a big bite and bit back a moan as the flavour burst over my tongue. Having spent the Labour Day long weekend helping at the annual rodeo festival, I hadn’t had time to cook. Neither had mom since she’d slept, cleaned the house, and did the grocery shopping on top of volunteering in the medical tent at the festival. Thankfully, one of the barbequefood trucks cooked up a slew of extra chickens, ribs, and a pig and offered them at a discounted price to the volunteers. We’d purchased a couple of whole chickens, some ribs—which we’d had last night for supper before mom went to work—and some pulled pork which was on tap for tonight’s supper. I used one of the chickens for sandwich meat for our lunches and this was the result. Good thing I’d grabbed one of their business cards because I wanted to order more from them. It was that good.

Since Ethan was aware of some of the circumstances surrounding Liam’s arrival and knew that none of that needed to be shared, I elbowed him, silently asking him for help to change the subject. After mouthing that’ I’d owe him, he jumped into the conversation, asking them about some of the cliques he’d noticed. All things I’d told him about during the few times we’d gotten together over the summer and in our texts.

As I continued to eat my sandwich, I couldn’t help but smile around each mouthful as the table all forgot about Sasha’s questions. Or so I hoped.

Ethan kept them occupied until there was only ten minutes left before afternoon classes started. I packed up my bag, wanting to rush to the daycare to check on Liam, but Sasha grinned evilly at me before I could stand up.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about all my questions. I will find out all the answers, but I’ll take a snapshot now.”

My shoulders slumped as I stared at her, knowing that I needed to give her something. It was the only way to hopefully get her to stop. “Yes, Mr. Evans has a son, a baby. He’s raising him with Jason and Jarrod. Yes, they’re all together. And that’s really all I know.” I pushed back from the table and stood. “I was late this morning and missed Mr. Taylor’s homeroom, so I want to check in with him before his math class.”

The others stood and followed, leaving me no choice but to follow through. At least none of them knew that I’d also been latefor my modern history class since none of them were in the AP history class. That part of my lie of omission was safe for now.

“Ahh, Miss Nelson, I have a packet of papers here for you since you missed Home Room.” I started to explain, but he held up his hand. “It’s perfectly fine. I was aware of the reason. Plus, I’ve heard from your other teachers about the type of student you are, so I have no concerns if you have to miss Home Room or even some class time.”

“Thank you, Mr. Taylor.”

“No problem.” And then he transferred his gaze to the group standing in the hall around his door. “Now, those of who are in my Pre-Calculus Math 405 class, welcome. Come in and grab your seat. If you’re not in my class—you should be because everyone should take my classes”—he waited for the expected chuckles which he received—“then you should all be on your way. The bell’s going to ring in a few minutes.”

“See you after school,” Sasha, Deena, and Daisy called out while Kallie wrapped her arm around Ethan’s.

“Let me walk you to your next class,” she purred, making me want to gag. Crap on a cracker, she was going to drive up the debt I owed him so high that I wouldn’t be able to pay. Although to be fair, I had warned him about her and a few others so really, this was all his fault.

He pulled his arm from her hold. “Actually, Kallie, I’m in this class, but thank you for the offer.”

As Ethan brushed past me, he whispered, “You so owe me for lunch.”

I chuckled which brought a grin to Mr. Taylor’s face who’d obviously heard Ethan’s comment. Yeah, yeah, I did. And maybe I’d actually pay the debt, but somehow, I doubted my payment would be much of a hardship. Not if stayed as nice and helpful as he had been. Then spending time with him would be almostconsidered relaxing after everything I’d gone through in the past couple of years.

And I couldn’t wait.

17

Katy/Katherine

Forty minutes into the ninety minute math lecture, the class phone buzzed, interrupting Mr. Taylor’s lecture. “Just one moment class.”

The near silence changed as my classmates began to talk quietly amongst themselves. The soft hum filled my ears as my brain wandered. Ever since I’d found out about Liam, I’d wanted to push it all to the side and focus on living and enjoying my senior year. A complete one eighty from my previous plans which had all been about growing closer to my men. Instead of wanting this year to be over with so I could get on with my life, to step out from the shadows with my relationships, after only a few hours, I wanted this year over with so I could escape. Escape the pettiness of jealous women, escape the high school drama, escape seeing Peter every single day. And that last one was completely new because even when he was at his worst, sleeping around with all those women, I still wanted to see him, to spend time with him. Now, watching other women flirt with him, hear others talk about him, it was like I was continuouslybeing stabbed in the heart. I’d had him—maybe, possibly—and now I’d lost him—maybe, possibly.

Ugh. It was all so confusing and tiring.

That was the one thing that had been true when I spoke to them that morning. I was tired. Absolutely fatigued.

And I didn’t know how to recharge.

“Katy?” Mr. Taylor’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Yes?”

“Can I see you in the hall? Everyone else, I want you to complete the next practice question. Then we’ll discuss it.” He motioned for me to follow up and when I started to pack my things up, he shook his head, letting me know I could leave it all there. With each step, the worry inside me grew. Was the phone call about me? And if so, why did he need to see me in the hall? Why couldn’t he say it in the class if I didn’t need my stuff? None of it made sense.

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