Page 108 of Devil's Bargain

“I slipped with the knife.”

She rears back, her eyes flicking between mine. “You slipped with the knife and cut your neck.”

I shrug, scribbling on the notepad. “Something like that.”

“I will get the truth out of you eventually!”

I chew on my lip while I color in the heart I just drew. “Can we please not talk about this now?” I’m exhausted and sore.

“I scored some good weed.”

That perks me up. “For tonight?”

Her eyes trail over the bruises on my face as she replies, “Yeah. We’re going to Ben’s.”

I’ve missed hanging out with my friends. First, I need to get past Thing One and Thing Two.

Just then, Scott plants his hands on my desk. His wedding ring stares me in the face. “Are we listening, ladies?”

Nina looks bored, oblivious to how tense I’ve grown next to her. “Of course.”

His aftershave permeates the air as he looks from Nina to me. “How about you, April? Have you been listening?”

I stare at his wedding ring. “Not really.”

Nina covers up her laugh with a cough as Scott drums his fingers on the desk.

“My classroom after school.”

I lift my head. “Let me guess? Detention?”

His gaze drops to my lips. “Your smart mouth will get you into a lot of trouble if you’re not careful!”

Nina narrows her eyes. She’s picking up on something.

I shrug. “I don’t think I can get into any more trouble.”

He chuckles, and it’s a deep and rich sound. “Oh, you should try it, April.” He pushes off the desk and walks back to the whiteboard, calling out over his shoulder, “I’ll see you in detention.”

Nina sniggers under her breath. “This right here is why you’re my best friend.”

I grin mischievously. “I’m not going to detention.”

“Oh, I know that!”

“Ganja time!”

We bump fists, giggling like true schoolgirls.

* * *

I’m washing my hands after lunch when the door to the bathroom opens, and Rick steps inside.

“This is the girls’ bathroom,” I point out, watching him in the mirror as I soap my hands up.

He checks the cubicles. “Yeah, I know that.”

I turn the tap on and rinse the soap off my hands, wondering what he wants? He straightens up, walks over, and leans his hip on the counter. His hazel eyes roam over my face. I try not to notice the little things about him—how he grinds his jaw or how inviting his lips look.

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