Page 36 of Unspoken Truths

“And that’s how you evaded them,” Emil says. “Smart. Mr. Lee is trying to protect his precious school, but doesn’t quite realize how far I’m willing to go to make his life hell. I don’t really care for him or his politics. It may be time for a new headmaster. That’s what I’ll be working on tomorrow and through the weekend, but I need something else to happen too.”

“What?” I ask, my fingers spasming around Liliana’s. I’m terrified of what he’ll want from me, because I’m not in a position to bargain.

“Wait,” Mom says urgently, moving over to sit by me. “Dammit, Emil, you can’t fucking say shit like that to her.”

My gaze raises to meet hers, and I see the anger in her eyes. There are still tears on her lashes, but the other emotion is overpowering those at the moment.

“Honey, he’s not going to back you into a corner,” she says. “It’s not tit for tat even though that’s the way he phrased it, okay? We’re worried about you, Emil just doesn’t know how to express that in a way that makes sense.”

“I keep fucking up,” he mutters. “Hijita, let’s try again. What I said earlier is not hinged on both happening. I’m going to raise hell with the board as well as the parents because Mr. Lee was a prick to you. Catching you in the hallway when you passed out was one of the scariest moments of my life.”

“Mr. Emil was extra growly,” Liliana says in a stage whisper.

“There was blood and you passed out in my arms, Rachelle. I didn’t know why or how,” he says.

Swallowing hard, I look up at him.

“What are you so scared of so I can make sure it never fucking happens,” he says, his voice cracking. “The look you’re giving me is killing me right now.”

“I was locked up once, why wouldn’t it happen again?” I ask stoically, though I’m visibly shaking.

“A guidance counselor at her school asked some probing questions after some girls commented on my daughter’s appearance,” Mom says. “Rachelle’s nose was badly bruised from the pillow, capillaries broken everywhere. The bruising got worse instead of better. He had the police take her, stating that she was a risk to herself due to issues at home, and I almost lost custody when the Department of Children and Families got involved. It’s no wonder she doesn’t fucking trust anyone.”

“That’s not going to happen again,” Emil growls. “I want you to see a therapist here, so you don’t have to leave the house. The notes won’t be anywhere except what he takes on a notepad, and he’ll be barred from putting them into any electronic devices. Theo isn’t getting his hands on anything you say. I can only imagine how traumatic today was, having things thrown in your face that weren’t your fault. I would like for you to process it with a professional. That’s it.”

“Oh,” I say, blinking at him. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“And now I feel even worse,” he mutters. “One day you’re going to realize that I’m on your side, Rachelle. I need to remember to explain things better, because we don’t know each other well enough yet. A cage is the last thing I want for you. From fear, mental health, or anything else.”

Taking a shuddering breath, I nod.

“Liliana, I should get you home before your father begins to blow up my phone,” Emil says with a sigh. “Shit, here it goes. He’ll be here soon if I don’t take this. While I typically wouldn’t care, I’d like to keep my home relatively calm.”

Standing, he answers the call as he steps away.

“He’s right,” Liliana murmurs. “Dads worry.”

“It’s what good parents do,” Mom says, standing. “I’ll give you two a chance to talk before she leaves.”

She’s gone before I can open my mouth to say anything, and Liliana smirks.

“Your mom is smooth, I’ll give her that,” she says. “Look, I’m not going anywhere either. I mean, I’m going home, but all of this today isn’t scaring me away, okay? I know I joked about fake dating, but when it happens, I don’t want it to be a lie.”

“Really?” I ask. “I have a lot of baggage.”

“Who doesn’t?” she asks with a shrug. “The thing is that most people hide it really well. Marci Ridewell? She’s got a nasty coke habit. Her friend, Kayla Clark? God, that girl chases dick like it’s her job. The football team rails her before a game as part of their ritual before they play.”

“No way,” I gasp, my hand hiding the curl of my lips. I really shouldn’t be entertaining gossip.

“Oh yeah, I do not slut shame, but Kayla rides that line hard,” she says. “They both hide their issues, very few people know about either. I only know because I had to take over for a photographer during one of their games, and I walked in at a very inopportune time. Kayla was being spit roasted, while another demanded access to her ass. I’m mildly traumatized.”

Unable to help it, I giggle, and Liliana relaxes a bit.

“Much better,” she says. “Can I have a hug?”

Nodding, I accept a hug, finding myself holding her tightly.

“For what it’s worth, I will always be a big proponent of fighting fire with fire,”she whispers, her lips moving against the shell of my ear. “The Kings want to destroy you because they don’t want to like you. Their lives are mapped out, there’s not any room in their eyes for you. If they were less stupid, I wouldn’t mind sharing you, but they don’t deserve your light. What do you think about pushing them to face their feelings, push the envelope?”

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