Page 64 of Teacher's Pet

And then I see it.

At the top of the screen, standing out starkly against Megan’s chaos, a photo my mother sent.

My dad.

My chest tightens.

Noah notices instantly. His sharp gaze flickers to the screen, piecing together what I’m staring at.

"Who is he?" His voice is different now. Careful. Controlled.

I draw in a shaky breath, my jaw tightening.

"My dad," I whisper. "He’s sick."

The room shifts.

The air changes.

Noah watches me, something unreadable flickering across his face.

For the first time since I met him, he seems… unsure.

"I didn’t know," he murmurs.

"Yeah. Well, you’re not the only one looking for a distraction from reality," I whisper.

I don’t give him the chance to respond before turning away and walking out.

The last thing he needs to do is pry further on a topic I have barely begun to come to terms with.

Chapter 15

Megan

Keeping my back pressed against the wall, I carefully avoid the drunken bodies stumbling through Walker’s apartment.

The place reeks of spilled alcohol and bad decisions.

My gaze sweeps the room, taking in the excess of it all. Nike gear littering the floor, a brand-new 80-inch Samsung TV mounted like a trophy, every single item in this space expensive and shallow, just like its owner.

Across the room, Elijah throws back a shot with some guy from his English class.

When they offer him another, he hesitates before nodding, but I can tell, the appeal of this place is already wearing thin.

"Megan!" Walker’s slurred voice cuts through the noise. "Where the hell is Ana?"

His tone is lighthearted, but I don’t trust it.

Glancing around the packed apartment, I scan for her.

Nothing.

"I guess she’s still at Elijah’s car," I mutter, reaching for my phone. "Let me just give her a call-"

"It’s actually good that it’s just you here."

Walker’s voice shifts to something too casual.

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