Page 34 of A Scandal in Homeroom
“I don’t think you are.”
“I don’t have sex like everyone thinks I do.”
She wasn’t talking to me now. She was talking to herself.
“I know how I act and dress, but that’s just…I don’t want to have sex.”
“Irene!” I said sharply, finally gaining her attention, pulling her out of whatever negative mental spiral she’d been falling into.
Her arms were crossed over her chest, her expression was flat. But at least she was looking at me. Engaging with me.
“One. I did not ask you to meet me here to have sex. It was a kiss. That was all it was going to be. Two. I am not some simpleton teenage Haddonfield High student who would judge you based on the length of your skirt and make assumptions. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m starting to see through you, to the real you, and if you can’t see that, you’re not as smart as I’ve been giving you credit for.”
“What if I don’twantyou to see the real me?” she asked through a clenched jaw.
“Too late.”
“I don’t even know why I came here. I shouldn’t have done this. Or last night. Any of it.”
“I know the feeling,” I said, truthfully. “I want absolutely nothing to do with you.”
She flinched.
“But I simply cannot stop myself. What does that mean, Irene?”
“I have to go,” she said.
I had no words to compel her to stay.
When she saw that, she turned and walked away.
I let her go, of course.
Not a second later, I knew it was a mistake.
8
Sunday Night
Thornfield Home
Reen
Something wasn’t right at table six.
I stood in my usual spot on the landing on top of the staircase so I could answer the door when there was a knock. I was also monitoring the games, the level of service the girls were providing and assuring that the rake was being properly taken with each hand.
This was our first non-student game and my anxiety was at an all-time high.
Coyle had found the dealers. Who had to be paid dearly for their silence. But he’d been right. They sped up the game, which meant more hands and more rake, which basically covered their pay with enough extra for us to make it worth it.
The room wasn’t all men. There were two women, older, in their sixties, who were also playing. It wasn’t exactly like I was relieved they were here, nor did I think either of them would provide any kind of protection if one of the men chose to get aggressive with me. However, it changed the dynamic of the room enough so that everyone understood this was a poker game and nothing else.
Albeit an illegal one.
The student game was naturally illegal, given that half the participants weren’t legally allowed to bet.
However, everyone in this room could.
