Page 40 of Relapse
The way he carried himself with his shoulders rolled back in confidence was hard not to admire. Add in his sparkling smile, chiselled physique, tousled dark hair, and it was impossible not to stare.
When Logan Hudson was roaming these halls and girls were vying for his attention, it was Mason I watched. He shone above everyone else. A true God among men.
I stayed where I was, enjoying the morning sun warming my skin, until Mason glanced over his shoulder and curled his lip at me. A sigh escaped my lips as I slowly made my way across the cement to the front of the school.
It was hard to ignore the glances and whispers being thrown my way. I tried hiding behind my hair, but I could still feel them. Staring at me with their judgmental eyes.
At first I thought it was because of who I’d arrived with. Mason was popular. Everyone loved him. I didn’t even have a circle to step into.
There was Star, Shelby and Riley, I suppose. They said they were my friends, but were they? Could you be someone’s friend if you didn’t really know them? All I had was Lana, and even she didn’t know what my life was really like.
I was alone.
So it wasn’t that surprising that people were staring. At least that’s what I thought, until I walked inside and was greeted by Mrs. Grier.
“Ah, there you are Miss Callaghan.”
Was she waiting for me?
“Could you come with me.”
My gaze shifted from the receptionist’s outstretched hand, signalling me to follow, then over to Riley. She was down the hall, leaning against the wall while shooting me a guilty frown. If that wasn’t enough to make the pit in my stomach swirl, then the sympathetic look Star gave me was.
“Why?” I whispered. “I didn’t do anything.”
Mrs. Grier’s cold eyes locked on mine. “The sheriff would like to speak with you.”
If it was possible for the world to fall out from under me, it just did. I could literally feel myself free falling as I once again glanced Riley’s way. That explained the frown. I’d hoped they all would’ve let what happened the other day go, but luck had never been on my side. Why would it show up now?
“Miss Callaghan?” Mrs. Grier coaxed.
There were a few people at Ashworth one could argue with. The receptionist was not one of them. Lana tried once during freshman year. Now she refused to go into the office unless absolutely necessary.
Mrs. Grier let out an annoyed sigh. “Come on now, child. I don’t have all day.”
Without another option, I hung my head and followed.
My mind was in overdrive. I knew why the sheriff was here. That much was obvious, but what kind of questions was he going to ask? Would the sheriff believe my ‘I fell’ excuse? Would he want to see the bruises his daughter said I had? And if so, could he?
I might be a minor, but I still had rights. Could he demand I lift my shirt without parental consent, or mine? Could he take me to the doctor? Could I be examined without permission? Suddenly I wished I’d taken that pre-law course when it was offered last year.
When we stepped inside the office I lifted my chin and stopped. “Do I have to talk to him? I’m only sixteen…”
Mrs. Grier waved her hand, cutting me off. “Your legal guardian is here.”
What?
“My father’s here?” I thought he was out of town?
“No,” I jarred back when her eyes rolled my way. Riley wasn’t kidding when she called Ashworth’s receptionist a soul sucker. Her irritation was literally tugging at my insides. “Mr. Kessler is.”
“Mr. Kessler isn’t –”
I froze.
The contract.
I’d completely forgotten. Of course Mrs. Grier would think he was my guardian. He had all the legal paperwork to back it up and there was no way for me to argue it. Who would believe me? Arranged marriages and relationships didn’t happen in the land of the free.
