Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83221 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 416(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Eighteen.
Legal. Legal. Legal.
Clearing my throat, I attempt to be professional. It’s a sad attempt because I can’t fucking think straight when she’s so close I could touch her. When her scent is camping out in my nostrils, intoxicating me.
“Then it’ll be up to you if you want to press charges. I understand with family—”
“He’s not my family.” Her tone is sharp and her green eyes flicker with a fierceness I haven’t seen before. “I’ll need to talk to my mom.”
“Of course,” I agree. “When we get to Mr. Erickson’s, we’ll give her a call.”
I’m itching to grab hold of her hand and guide her to the principal’s office, but I can’t. That won’t sit well at all. The last thing I’m going to do is put her in a position that might have this entire situation turned on her. She needs me to protect her right now. At least until her mother arrives.
Unable to be a complete gentleman, I press my fingertips to her lower back, urging her forward. “Grab your bag and let’s go.”
Her shock seems to wear off and she jerkily makes her way over to her bag. Once it’s on her back, she follows me out of the classroom, waiting for me to lock up. Since this class was my last hour of the day and my planning period is next, I don’t have to worry about anyone but her right now.
The bell rings for final hour and a few straggling students rush into their classrooms. It quickly grows silent as I walk Willa to the office. When we arrive, Levi is sprawled out in a chair like the lazy slouch he is, not at all bothered by what he’s done.
“Have a seat,” I instruct. “Mr. Erickson and I will be talking to both of you shortly.” I stab a finger in the air at Levi. “Do not speak to her.”
He snorts in derision but wisely doesn’t argue. I give Willa a soft, encouraging smile before letting myself into Wayne’s office. Wayne’s laughter booms as he chats to someone on the phone. I clear my throat, making my presence known, and wait for him to end his call. As soon as Wayne sees my murderous expression, he groans and hangs up.
“Callum,” he says with a nod. “What can I do you for?”
I’m not fooled by Wayne’s friendliness. He’s a two-faced schmoozer. Nice to your face and talks shit behind your back. The Ericksons and Parks aren’t exactly friends.
“Levi Paulson,” I say and wave off Wayne’s annoyed groan. “It’s more than disrupting my class.”
Wayne frowns. “I’m listening.”
“He has pictures of Willa Reyes on his phone.”
“And?”
“They’re of her in her bed.”
“Isn’t that her stepbrother?”
“It is.”
“Hmph.”
I glower at him, not liking his response. “They’re partially nude pictures of her. She didn’t know they’d been taken of her.”
“Boys are little perverts. You know that. At least they’re not blood related because that’d be pretty sick.”
“I want him suspended,” I snap, the fiery authority of my words vibrating the entire room. “He’s lucky she’s not underage.”
“Do you have proof?”
“I do, but I’m not about to violate that girl anymore by showing you.”
His lips purse together. “I understand. Call them in.”
“Miss Reyes,” I bark out. “Mr. Paulson.”
She enters the office first, head down and cheeks blazing crimson. Her dark hair curtains around her face as though she can hide from the embarrassing situation. If we were alone, I’d tuck her soft hair behind her ears so I could see all of her features.
“Mr. Paulson,” Wayne says with an exasperated sigh. “Your dad isn’t going to be happy to have to come up here again.”
Levi shrugs like he doesn’t care, but I don’t miss the clench of his jaw. Sounds like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with this dipshit.
While Wayne calls both of their parents, I lean against the wall, shamelessly staring at Willa. What is her home life like? Living with this idiot can’t be good, especially after this stunt. If he’s ballsy enough to take naked pictures of her, what else is he ballsy enough to do?
Images filter through my mind, providing me with suggestions, and it takes an act of God to keep me rooted in place when everything in me screams to knock that fucker’s head off his shoulders.
“Your father is on his way,” Wayne says and then shoots an apologetic look at Willa. “Your mother said your stepfather can deal with both of you.”
Willa deflates, losing all the air in her sails, and shoots me a resigned expression. It’s clear she’s used to this stepfamily getting away with crap like this.
Her mom doesn’t want to come up here and fight for her?
Then I’ll do the fucking fighting for her.
Willa
Dread pools in the pit of my belly.
Mom’s not coming. Of course she’s not. Since when does she ever come out of her Xanax haze long enough to show me any sort of attention or affection?