Page 55 of Get Even

“Well you do now,” I grinned. “You said you weren’t sure what you wanted to do and I think you’d make a great personal stylist, or maybe a make-up artist! To the stars!” Liv laughed and I joined in before letting my smile fall away. “I mean it though, you’re good at this and clearly enjoy it – why not?”

Liv didn’t answer, just looked lost in thought as she sat on the edge of her pink bed spread. I patted her on her head as I stood, “Okay, well thank you – I’m going to go and get dressed.”

She nodded absently and I hurried to my room after quickly freshening up my body in the shared bathroom. I pulled on a cute cropped ringer tee, tartan mini skirt complete with jingly chains, fishnets and my big boots. Liv had done my make-up to perfection but I added on a bold red lip to match my grungy look. I grabbed a jacket off the back of my door and my phone from the nightstand and came out of my bedroom to find Liv waiting for me.

She tapped her foot impatiently, “We’re going to be late.”

I rolled my eyes, “We live like five minutes away.”

It was slightly crisp outside as we walked toThe Boxand I smirked when we walked in at exactly seven. Liv huffed at me but I smiled as I turned to the booth at the back and found Ry, Kat, Nick and the boys all waiting for us.

“Hey,” I called as we approached, “did somebody save us a seat?” They scooted down the benches and Liv and I perched on the ends opposite each other. I was gasping for a drink but Ryan looked ready to burst so I thought it might be best to listen to what he had to say first. “What’s up? Liv said you had a surprise or something?”

Nick pulled out a piece of paper from his bag underneath his seat and passed it across the booth to Ry. He grinned broadly as he handed it to me, “Surprise!”

I quirked an eyebrow as I took it and pulled open what I could now see was an envelope. “What is this?”

“Just read it,” Nick said with a slow smile.

I tugged it open, trying not to rip it too badly, and pulled out the letter inside. I unfolded it and felt my mouth drop open in a small gasp.

Eyes watering, I looked up at Ryan and Nick who looked smug as fuck. “You guys did this for me?”

“Of course,” Ryan said, pressing a kiss to my temple and Nick smirked.

“I’ve been telling you to complain for months now,” Nick reminded me and I sucked in a shaky breath and I nodded, clutching the letter to my chest.

Reinstated and a letter ofapology.

“What is it?” Liv asked and I beamed, clearing my throat lightly before I read the most important section.

“Please accept my most sincere apologies for the actions of the staff in question and for the school safeguarding policies which, ultimately, failed you. We hope that you will return to complete your final classes with us next week in good faith and spirit and should you wish to press charges Radclyffe will support you as best we can.”I looked up and Liv was grinning, “It’s signed by the Dean.”

Kit gave a low whistle and I looked between Nick and Ry, “How did you get the Dean involved?”

Ryan looked me straight in the eye, lips twitching, “I booked an appointment.”

Nick snorted, “He did not. He stormed into the Dean’s office reception area ranting about discrimination and injustice and we were ushered in fairly quickly.” Nick waggled his eyebrows, “She offered ustea.”

“How refined,” Kat said and I laughed. My heart felt light, like being suspended was a bad dream.

“I can go back to class,” I whispered and Ryan’s eyes were soft as he brushed a stray hair from my face and nodded.

“And,” Nick said, “the best part is that Davis has been placed on administrative leave until a proper investigation can be held.”

“Oh my god, really?” Fuck, had Christmas come early? “This is… thank you both.”

Nick waved a hand, “It was easy, I had so much evidence that he would have been caught soon either way. I just expedited the process.”

I smacked a kiss to Ryan’s mouth and blew one to Nick, “Still, you guys are the best.”

Ryan blushed and my heart squeezed. Too. Fucking. Cute.

“So are you going to tell us aboutyournight now?” Liv said and I bit my lip to hide my smile. Thanks to Nick and Ryan I could finish out the last few weeks of my degree, graduate andstillhave the contract with Max’s Sun City label.

“Wait, wait,” Kit interrupted, “Leo and Ialsohad a task.”

“You did?” I hesitantly accepted Kit’s phone from across the table and he grinned.

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