Page 10 of Dancing Diva
“I need you to call grandma,” I say.
ADAM
Claire is across the bullpen, but I can't take my eyes off her. I could kick myself for my idea of putting us in this situation, but I think a part of Claire loved the idea of getting arrested. She seemed almost giddy when they drove us here. I don't think it really hit her that this was a serious situation until they walked us in and took us to two separate holding areas.
Eventually, they brought us both back in here to allow us each a phone call. Eva is still at work, so I could only leave a voicemail. I don't even want to think about the expression on her face and the string of curse words that will come out of her when she hears I'm here, and the two of us need to be bailed out.
It’s not like we were swimming in money before, and now this. I can only hope that this arrest doesn’t stop me from getting the job at Club Dominion.
“Where is he? Adam?” Eva yells out.
I flinch before turning around in my seat to meet the angry stare of my sister. She pushes past the officer that jumped up at the desk to stop her.
“Put me back in the cell,” I plead with the wide-eyed officer who let me make my phone call. “You’ll have more paperwork if she gets her hands on me.”
"Sorry, I can't," he says, looking back at the screen. "Looks like someone's already sent in the money for you. You're free to go."
He hands me a clear bag with my belt, shoelaces, wallet, phone, and Claire’s panties that I forgot I still had in my pocket when they arrested us.
"What the hell do you think you were doing up on that roof?" Eva says when she reaches me.
I hold up my hands to stop her, and her eyes catch on the panties in the bag. Her frown deepens to a level I'm genuinely worried will stick if the situation doesn't turn around quickly.
“You were having sex on the roof?” she asks, way too loudly for my comfort level with so many cops nearby. Since we were only arrested for trespassing, I didn’t want to give them a reason to add another charge.
“Yeah!” some drunk guy handcuffed to the bench yells. He tries to lift his hands in triumph, but the shackles aren’t very long. “Ouch!”
The drunk woman sitting next to him laughs.
“Can we take this conversation outside?” I ask Eva.
"I would, but I haven't had a chance to use the last of what I've managed to save since Steven left to bail you and your girlfriend out."
“It’s all good. My dad already paid for both of us,” Claire says, walking over to where we’re standing.
I wince at the thought that the first time my future father-in-law hears about me is when he's forced to send bail money on my behalf, but that's for future me to deal with. Right now, I need to get Eva out of here.
“Let’s go outside and discuss things,” I say, leading her out, with Claire next to me.
We only make it to the lobby before Eva’s phone goes off in her hand. We both freeze when we see the number on the screen—Hawthorne Academy.
"Hello?" Eva asks, her voice laced with panic. "Chloe, are you okay?"
Claire slips her hand in mine and gives it a squeeze.
“Headmaster Charles,” Eva says, pushing the speaker button so I can hear too. “Can you say that again?”
"I said, my apologies for the late call, but I just got an urgent message from one of the trustees a few minutes ago. She insisted on speaking with me about Chloe. It’s been brought to my attention that there has been a special scholarship put in place for Chloe that will cover all of her tuition for the remainder of her time at Hawthorne Academy.”
“What?” Eva and I both say in unison.
The Headmaster repeats himself, and that's when I feel Claire's hand squeeze mine again. I look over at her and she flashes me a knowing smile.
"The patron would like to remain anonymous, but we all know that this money will be put to good use for Chloe. I hope you don’t mind me calling so late, but I don't often get to give such good news to the family of one of our brightest students."
“I’m so glad you called, sir,” Eva says. “Thank you so much.”
I turn to Claire and pull her in for a kiss. I loved her before this moment, and I didn't think I could love her more until right now.
