Page 80 of Tutoring Mr. Hotshot

My boy looks ready to jump in. I send a look his way telling him to keep quiet.

I hate to put my foot down on this issue; however, I refuse to let this go on any longer. Liam is going to pay for his actions one way or another.

His school record being harmed is the least of what’s heading his way.

That’s a problem for later.

Right now, my attention returns to the nurse’s instructions. “You need to fill it all out in detail. I’ve included my witness statement. Then you’ll take it to the campus police. They’ll record everything else from there. I’ve put in a preliminary report since there’s an injury involved. The photos I took when you arrived will be in the notes.”

“The photos?” Rodney asks. “They’ll see them.”

“Honey, this is needed documentation. Not that you need me telling you how bad it is given the amount of pain you’re likely feeling, but it’s a disservice to you to pretend this is a tiny scrape. You’re lucky you didn’t lose your vision with a blow like that.”

Rage simmers beneath my skin at her suggestion. Had anything permanent happened to him, I’d have burned this fucking school to the ground. Just the thought of losing him has me feral.

I bite my tongue to hold back the threats wanting to come forth. This is not the appropriate place to air out my issues.

I want to hurt Liam. I want him to regret the day he ever looked at my little genius.

“I’m going to take you home and stay the night. I know Ma won’t mind. Tomorrow we’ll figure the rest out.”

“No, Daddy. Tomorrow is moving day. It’s supposed to happen, remember?”

“I know, and it will. We may need to call in reinforcements to help us though. I can’t take care of you and pack up my room,” I admit.

“Don’t forget our bags in the library.” His words come out a bit more hushed than before. I turn to the nurse.

My worry must show. Her hand reaches over to pat mine where it’s still holding onto my boy.

“He’s fine. I gave him some pain medicine when you first came in. You were focused on him so you might have missed it.” She pauses. “He’s really lucky to have someone like you taking care of him. I hope I don’t have to see either of you in this office again. If his symptoms get worse, take him straight to the emergency room. There is only so much I can do here. He’ll need to check in with his regular doctor as soon as possible too.”

I nod, already planning how I’m going to convince my boy to go get a check up done. Maybe while he’s asleep, I can convince Aries to bring in a private doctor to look him over.

Yes.

That could definitely work.

I’m not above being heavy-handed where he’s concerned.

Instead of trying to drive us back, I opt to order a car through my boy’s phone. He has an account set up that he never uses anyway. It’s time to actually take advantage of his brother’s generosity.

Once the car shows up, I assure the driver that I didn’t hurt my boyfriend before he lets us both in. I think it’s great he’s worried, though I don’t like that he thinks I caused this.

I text Ma on the way to let her know something happened and to please have my boy’s room ready. It’s better to plan ahead than to catch her off guard.

When we get to the house, I see Ma standing on the porch, arms crossed as she waits for us. I tip the driver and lift Rodney into my arms. He’s still out cold, whatever medicine she gave him doing its job.

“What happened?!” Ma whisper shouts once I’m close enough.

I shake my head, then tilt it to the door. “Need him in bed.”

She turns to go inside. I follow her upstairs and into Rodney’s room. Ma watches as I lay him down gently and cover him with the blanket. I take a moment to press a kiss to his forehead before pulling away.

“Come on,” I tell her as I leave his side for the first time since seeing his injuries.

As soon as we’re in the living room, she spins to face me. “I need answers, Andry. What happened to my baby?”

My anger returns at her words. The memory of his story makes it hard to breathe. I want to rage and let loose my frustrations.

---