Page 110 of Just a Little White Lie

“It was an accident. He ended up hurting… someone, but not intentionally. I just don’t want him getting into bucketloads of trouble.”

“He lost his temper, didn’t he?” Sully sighs. “I knew it was going to happen. When he got back from Auckland last night, I could tell the time with his family had not gone well. He wouldn’t talk about it, but I’m guessing he was in hell, and it always takes him time to resettle.”

My stomach bunches. “Do you think he’ll be okay for Dance-Mania?”

“I hope so.”

“I really don’t want him missing out.”

I don’t know why I feel so strongly about this. He lost his temper, and I’ve got a black eye because of it, but… I’m so conflicted over this. Maverickneedsto be at that competition. He needs me to know I forgive him.

I just hope he doesn’t do something totally reckless before I get a chance to tell him that.

My phone buzzes, and I yank it out of my bag.

Sully: I’ve got him. I know what happened. I’m sorry. He’ll hang with me tonight, but he knows he has to come see you in the morning.

I text back a quick message to say I’ll wait for him in the dance studio.

I’m dreading the talk already. I’m dreading returning to school. My eye will have puffed up even more by tomorrow, and I’m worried what the other teachers will say. I’ll get hauled into the principal’s office again. I’ll have to fight for Maverick… again.

Part of me wonders if I should be mad at the kid, but I’m feeling too much pain on his behalf to move beyond sympathy. He’s like a lost, wild animal, and that look of shame on his face… I know he regrets what he did. Iknowhe wants to be good.

With a heavy sigh, I shoulder the car door open and hobble into the house. My hip still hurts. I haven’t looked, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a mondo bruise forming. Thankfully my elbow stopped stinging pretty quickly. Not loving the black eye I spotted in the rearview mirror, though.

“Hey, Candy Girl!” Jack calls from the bathroom.

I have no idea where that nickname came from, but I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough. It’s sad, but right this moment, I don’t actually care.

In fact, I almost wish he wasn’t here, because I can’t deal with whatever his reaction might be when I tell him what happened.

“Hey.” I shut the back door and shuffle my way inside.

Dumping my bag on the dining room chair, I take my sweet time, wondering what I’m supposed to say to Jack.

How’s he going to feel about all this?

“How was work?” I walk into the kitchen, delaying the reveal by getting a glass of water.

The bathroom door pops open. “Yeah, shift went well. Nothing major. Same old, same old.” His voice has got an excited edge to it. I wonder if he’s going to surprise me with something.

I can just sense a “ta da” coming.

Closing my eyes, I try to rally myself for whatever it is.

“I spoke to the boss about dance classes.”

And there it is.

I glance over my shoulder, my lips curling into a smile. Finally!

“He was pretty keen on the idea. He wants me to put a brief proposal together, including some marketing stuff and how we could sell it to the community. Target audience and all that jazz. I’m just drying off. I’ll be out in a sec.”

I nod, wanting to be bright and cheerful for him, but it feels like such a big effort. I’m hurting and… exhausted.

But I muster my happy voice as I call down to him. “That’s great, babe! I’m sure you’ll put the perfect thing together.”

“Yeah, well, I should thank you for pushing me. I needed it.” He’s moving out of the bathroom. I hear his bedroom door open and brace myself.

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