Page 2 of Coach's Pet

“For being someone's karma.” Tinsley’s brows pull together. She looks like she’s going to ask another question, but Principal Vale’s office door opens, stopping her.

“Come on, Charlotte, let's get this over with.” I stand from my chair and let out a sigh.

It’s the first day of school, and Principal Vale already appears worn out. I’m sure he got an earful from Parker’s parents. I hate that douche.

“Charlie,” I correct him.

It’s pointless because we’ve had this same interaction a million times. I should let it go, but I’m too damn stubborn. Which always ends up kicking me in my own ass.

“Come on.” He motions for me to enter his office, and his secretary Meghan hurries in before me. I don’t miss the way Principal Vale’s eyes drop to her ass. I’m pretty sure they are hooking up and have been for years.

“Later, Tins.” I wink at her before heading into Principal Vale’s office and dropping down into one of the chairs.

“I’ll be right with you, Tinsley,” Principal Vale tells her before closing the door.

“Miss me?” I ask the principal as I take the lid off the candy jar on his desk and grab a chocolate kiss. Principal Vale picks up the jar and moves it out of my reach.

“It’s the first day of classes,” he says as he takes his seat behind his desk. Meghan sits off to the side, merely here for protocol. “Do I really need to call your uncle already?”

“Please don’t.” I sit up straighter. “He’s busy anyway. Probably won’t answer.”

“I’m sure he’d be happy to call back.”

Damn it, he would. “Can’t we just do the normal in-school suspension routine?” I suggest, not wanting to bother my Uncle Callum.

He’s been raising me for the past five years since I lost both my parents. Uncle Callum doesn’t need to be burdened with my problems. I actually really like him, and he tries with me. That’s more than I can say about my own parents.

“The normal routine doesn’t work with you,” he says, and I clench my teeth. “You could apologize to Parker.”

“Over my dead body.”

“As I assumed." He lets out a long sigh. “Honestly, Charlotte, I’m thinking that maybe Legend Prep isn’t the place for you any longer.”

Oh shit.

“You’re kicking me out?” Can he do that? It costs out the ass to go here.

“I don’t want to.”

“Then don’t,” I suggest. One more year and I can be done. “I’ll be good.” Principal Vale lifts an eyebrow, and Meghan stifles a laugh. “Okay, I’ll try to be good.”

He shakes his head, not buying it. It’s hard to be good when there are so many assholes around here.

“If you could show me you wanted to stay here and be good, then maybe we don’t have to call your uncle.”

"Okay, but how do I do that?"

Principal Vale stands up, and I watch him walk over to a closet door. After he opens it, he turns around and I see the giant beaver head of our school mascot. He places the massive beaver head down on his desk and straightens.

“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but Bennett broke his arm.”

“No, I wasn’t.” I don’t keep up with these people. I spent my summer reading, killing noobs on Apex Legends, and in the garden. Bennett is nice enough, and it sucks he broke his arm, but what does that have to do with me and my predicament?

“He can’t be the beaver this year, and you know how loved the mascot is, especially at the football games.”

I don’t go to football games, but I know how much football is loved in this school. It’s insane. With it being a private prep school, I’m pretty sure they recruit some of the players. I have no idea if it’s legal, but I didn’t care enough to pay attention. Although I don’t go to games, I’m forced to go to assemblies where I’ve seen the beaver mascot.

“Please don’t say what I think you’re about to.” I swallow hard.

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