Page 149 of Zero Chance

Ms.Breeker’s eyes narrowed.“Why?Were youinvolvedin the incident?”

“Huh?”I blinked in confusion.“No.I have no idea what even happened.I just heard she might’ve gotten hurt, so I came.”When Ms.Breeker said nothing, I lifted my brows and asked “So?Isshe okay?”

Ms.Breeker pressed her lips together primly before answering, “Waverly’s had quite a scare and needs her rest.And it’s very late.But thank you for stopping by to check on her.”

Which didn’t answer my question except to reveal that Waverlywasn’tokay.Guilt sliced through my gut.

Dammit, this had my mother written all over it.Mom had gone after her with books again, hadn’t she?

Shit, shit, shit.

How was I going to stop a freaking ghost from hurting people?

“How bad off is she?”I pressed, not giving up.

Ms.Breeker finally nodded.“She’ll be fine.”

I released a relieved breath.“Thank God.”Trying to glance past her into the house, I asked, “Can I see her?”

“I justsaid, Mr.Dugger,” she repeated through gritted teeth.“She’s resting right now.She’s not accepting visitors.”

“But you could at least let her know it’smethat’s here.Maybe she’ll?—”

“Trust me, I’m not waking her up just to see you.”

“Are you sure she’s really sleeping, though?”I argued.“Because she was just talking to my roommate on the phone before I headed over, which was like only ten or fifteen minutes ago.”

“Your roommate?”Ms.B shook her head, confused.“Who’s your roommate?”

I swallowed, suddenly thinking I’d messed up.Easing a cautious step back, I answered, “Xander.Xander Union.”

Ms.B drew in a quick breath, and her eyes darted quickly back and forth as she put the pieces together before searing me with an accusing glare.“Youlivewith this new friend of Waverly’s?”

I nodded slowly.“Yes, ma’am.I mean, we don’t livetogether-together.We each rent separate rooms there.Xander’s is upstairs, mine is down.And there’s three other roommates too, so…” I shrugged as if it were no big deal.“It’s basically a step above a college dorm.”

But that was thewrongthing to say; I could tell.

Even more upset by my revelation, she pinched her mouth tight, and her nostrils flared big as she breathed proverbial fire at me.

What’s worse; her voice was coolly controlled, which told me just how livid she was.

“Mr.Dugger,” she said with that ever-so-polite, go-fuck-yourself smile of hers.“I really don’t think Waverly is the type of girl you’d be interested in.”

Fuck.First girlfriend ever, and I’d totally justblownit with her mother.Wasn’t that awesome?I was really nailing this boyfriend thing.

Lifting my chin with a pride I didn’t feel, I asked, “Just what type are you talking about?”

She scoffed and gave me a lewd once-over.“The type who sneaks into high school janitor’s closets with boys like you.She’snotthat type.”

Wow.

It was on the tip of my tongue to agree, claiming Waverly was more the type to sneak into a college psych professor’s quiet room with guys like me.But I had a feeling that wouldn’t win me a lot of brownie points.

Frowning over just how judgy Ms.Breeker was turning out to be, I realized, “You’re not going to tell her I’m here, are you?”

“No.”Ms.Breeker crossed her arms over her chest, resolute.“I’m not.”

“Hmm.”Keeping eye contact with her, I pulled my phone from my pocket and only briefly glanced down to dial Waverly’s number before I pressed it to my ear.

---