Page 54 of Bleeding Hearts

“What did he say?” Jodi asks before I can.

“That he plans on talking to the resource officer about it.” To punctuate his statement, Nolan clears his throat. “Asked me to come with him.”

“But Kellie isn’t in the high school yet,” I state the obvious.

“I know. But Finn and Felix are, and since you and I have?—”

Before he reveals anything I haven’t disclosed, I interrupt him. “Enough said.”

Thankfully, he seems to get the message and doesn’t push it. But I can tell Alicia and Jodi wish he would so they could get the scoop.

Too fucking bad bitches.

Chapter 26

Bethany

The meeting with the principal went better than I expected. By the time we arrived, the situation was resolved and handled.

That’s the only information we were privy to. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear, but what could I do? Our boys had been falsely accused on a tip, that was clearly a setup. But because minors are involved who had rights, we were only told that Finn and Nicky were no longer in trouble and could return to practice and school the following day.

Since I was at the school, I asked to speak to Felix’s counselor so we could discuss his schooling needs. Again, the meeting went well and soon I’ll need to discuss that with him. My next step is to discuss this with GSU’s dean and figure out the necessary steps.

And because I’m on a roll, I decide why not stop by Dean Bellows’s office as soon as I’m back on campus? While I’m here, there are a few other topics I need to discuss with her as well. They won’t be as pleasant, but I’ve put them off long enough, and it’s time she sees the full picture.

When I walk into the administrative building, there’s a buzz in the air. I can’t explain it, but it sends chills down my spine,and not the good kind. Before I can dwell on my thoughts, a student I recognize approaches me.

“How’s your day going Dr. Rogan?” The always chipper young woman asks.

“It started off rough, but it’s better now. How’s yours been so far, Rylee?”

“Not so bad.” Her face turns more serious. “Can I talk to you about something?”

“Now?” I look up at the clock on the wall and see it’s twenty to four. “Sure. I’ve got a few minutes. What’s on your mind?”

Rylee motions to the seated area off to the side and when I nod, we head that way. “I’m usually not one to pry into others’ personal shit, but I have a friend I’m concerned about.”

“My first advice would be to think before you say or do something that could jeopardize your friendship.” She nods, letting that sink in, and when I see she still wants to ask, I encourage her to go on. “What is it you think I can help you with?”

“Thisfriendof mine recently went through a really bad breakup. She did all the usual tactics one would do. Burned his shit, took her anger out on an expensive dress, drank her emotions away so she could say all the words she wouldn’t sober. You know, the usual stuff.” Rylee is very much like I was when I was her age. “She even took a trip and came back looking better than her old self. You know, tanned and well fucked.”

“Both excellent ways to spend a vacation,” I laugh.

It’s no secret she’s talking about Cora.

“The thing is, these last couple of weeks, something has changed. She was in such a great place after she got back. Ready to get back out there and have fun. But now it’s like she can’t seem to let herself, you know? I’m thinking it’s because she had such an amazing time with this guy, now she’s afraid she’ll be disappointed by anyone else.” She sighs and leans forward untilher elbows rest on her knees. “I’m worried. She’s pulling back again. I think she might need to talk to someone, but I don’t know how to bring it up without sounding like a broken record.”

“Is she taking care of herself? Eating, sleeping, getting some exercise?”

“Her sleeping patterns have always been off. But she seems to be eating. And we go to the gym together when we can. I’m not sure if she goes by herself.”

“Maybe she’s just not ready to get back out there. I know she had an amazing time on her trip, but it’s possible it also triggered feelings about what her life with her ex would have been like.”

“That dick face was boring as all fuck.” Rylee blurts out and then apologizes. “Sorry. But he was. He never let her do anything fun. Kept her locked up in that stuffy apartment and made her feel guilty whenever she went out.”

“She’s made some big changes since they ended things. It’s gonna take her time to relearn how to have fun.”

“Maybe, but what if I suggest she try to find her mystery dude?” Rylee wiggles her eyes. “I really want to meet him. And from what I’ve come to understand, they really never got a proper ending.”

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