Her eyes are glossy, and I feel awful.“I know, and I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
I smile at her.“I’ll make it up to you.”
She looks up at Mrs. A and then back to me.“Can we go?”
“Yes.”
Mrs. Arrowood smiles and then gives me a pointed stare. “You’re lucky Asher didn’t answer, or he’d have lost it.”
“I know. I know. I’m sorry,” I repeat. This is not off to a good start.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make something up to cover for you.”
This is why she’s everyone’s favorite person in this town. I had Mrs. Arrowood for sixth grade, although she wasn’t Arrowood at that time, and she’s the best. Seriously the best.
When we get to my car, I pull up the schedule, which I took photos of. She has an appointment with the speech pathologist two towns over in seven minutes. Yeah, that’s not going to happen, but we’ll do our best.
If he finds out about this, I am in so much freaking trouble. He warned me, and of course, I screwed up. It’s all I ever do.
I turn to face Olivia in the backseat.“We’re going to be late, but I’m calling the therapist to let them know. Do you want a snack?”
She nods. I grab the bag of Cheez-its out of my bag and hand them to her.
Then I make the call and find out the therapist is running behind as well, so there’s no harm done, and we head that way.
Not even eight minutes into my drive, my phone rings, and this time I check the name before answering. It’s just as bad as before. “Hello, Asher.”
“I got a call from the school a few minutes ago.”
“Oh?” I play stupid.
“Any idea why?”
I turn left onto Main Street from Front Street, hoping to shave a few minutes off by taking the dirt road that cuts out the traffic lights. “Nope. Did you talk to anyone to find out why they called?”
He sighs. “Ellie answered and said she’d call me back but that nothing was wrong.”
“Sorry, I really have no idea what she could be calling for then.”
“Where are you?” he asks, his voice a bit steely.
According to the binder, I should’ve been at her appointment three minutes ago. I’ve learned that lying to cops isn’t always the best idea, but I’m not going to let Asher Whitlock know I fucked up on day one.
“Pulling into the building for Olivia’s appointment.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
I mean, not really, but again, lying for the greater good isn’t really bad, right?
“So, then why did I just see you pass me on Front Street?”
I’m committed now. “That wasn’t my car.”
“No?”