Page 149 of Restless
“No, please!” Harley finally spoke. “Mattie wasn’t involved. Rebel came to my rescue.” She explained what happened.
“Liar!” Blood dripped from Ariana’s nose. “You, Rebel, and Mattie were gossiping about us.”
“What’s going on in here?”
At the sound of Lolly’s voice, Mattie sagged in relief.
They all looked toward the door. She was leaning against it. A moment later, Aunt Zoann walked in. Her whiskey-colored eyes flared in surprise.
Lolly barreled into the fray, her gaze flickering between all of them before resting on Harley as Aunt Zoann stepped next to Mattie and placed an arm around her shoulder.
Rebel barely had a scratch on her. Harley, Ariana, and Erin, however, were bruised and battered.
“I’m asking again, what’s going on in here?” Lolly said. “Someone start talkingnow.”
Before that directive was followed, the door opened again, this time bringing in Dr. Marvey and one of the school resource officers, his radio crackling with indistinguishable voices.
“Miss Caldwell, Miss Banks,” Dr. Marvey began grimly, “Officer Grey will escort you to the waiting unit.” He glanced from Ariana to Erin to Mattie. “You three, follow me to my office.”
“They aren’t going anywhere until I know what the fuck’s going on,” Lolly said, stepping up to the two men.
Mrs. LeBan scuttled behind Officer Grey at Lolly’s ferocious glare. Dropping her arm from around Mattie, Aunt Zoann leaned forward. “You can run but you can’t hide. Answer Roxanne or answer me. Your fucking choice.”
“Hey, what’s up?” Jaleena asked from the doorway. Behind her, a crowd was gathering.
Mortification hit Mattie. There was no way Daddy wouldn’t hear about this incident. Even though she wasn’t involved, he’d find a way to accuse her of unladylike behavior.
“Get out, Miss Davis,” Dr. Marvey ordered.
“Can I please explain?” Harley said once Jaleena backed out and the door closed.
“Neither me nor Dr. Marvey are interested in an explanation, Miss Banks,” Officer Grey said coldly. “Tell it to the booking officer.”
“Fuck, we’re going through enough right now,” Lolly said with keen disappointment. “If Meggie wasn’t in the hospital, I’d beat your ass first, motherfucker,” she said, nodding to Dr. Marvey. “And finish withyou.” She nodded to Officer Grey.
Aunt Zoann smirked at Mrs. LeBan. “She’ll be home soon.”
“I can always call in units for you two,” Officer Grey snapped. He glared between Rebel and Harley. “Now get to moving!” he yelled.
Harley burst into tears.
Rebel sat and folded her arms. “Lolly, would you please call my father.”
“I don’t give a damn who your father is!” the officer fumed.
“So brand new,” Rebel said with a merry titter as Lolly got her cell phone and dialed.
Dr. Marvey snatched the handkerchief from his lapel. “I thought Mr. Caldwell was indisposed. Mrs. Caldwell is quite ill.”
“It doesn’t matter,” the officer said. “I’m sick and tired of having to raise other people’s children—”
“Earl,” Dr. Marvey cut in, looking rancidly ill.
“The reason there’s so much thuggery is because parents allow their children to run wild—”
“Earl, please—”
Earl? Was the officer namedEarl Grey? Did his parents not like him? Mattie bit her lip to stifle her laughter.
