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)
I exhale, letting all the fury rush out of me at once and then give her a clipped nod. Somehow, I manage to finish my lecture and am explaining the homework when the classroom door opens.
Wayne, red-faced and wearing a scowl, enters the room. “Mr. Park.”
“Mr. Erickson.” My voice is icy cold. “How may I help you?”
His nostrils flare. “I need to see you in my office. Now.”
The class bursts out into commotion and laughter. It’s not every day the teacher gets called to the office by the principal. I don’t give a shit about them, but Willa’s eyes are wide with horror. I want to take her hand and promise her everything will be fine. Of course, I don’t.
“Miss Reyes,” Wayne grumbles. “I’ll need to see you as well.”
This sets the classroom off even more. I clench my teeth together and give Willa a small nod to join me.
I wait until she’s gathered her bag and then follow after her. Wayne watches me with narrowed eyes, lip slightly curled as though I disgust him. I don’t miss the fact that he purposefully puts his body between us once we’re in the hallway. Like he’s protecting her from me.
This can’t be good.
Our walk to the office is silent aside from the squeaking of our shoes. Wayne guides us past a couple of curious student aides and into his office. Inside, Levi sits in one chair, feigning innocence.
I seriously want to fuck this kid up.
“Take a seat, Miss Reyes,” Wayne says, voice tight as he closes the door. “Mr. Park. You won’t need to get too comfortable.”
Willa glances over at me, eyes wide with fear.
“She can stand with me,” I clip out. “Mr. Paulson continues to torment her and I won’t subject her to more of it by you forcing her to sit next to him.”
Wayne scrubs a palm over his face. “Fine. Suit yourself.” He sighs heavily. “It has been anonymously brought to my attention that you’ve been in a relationship with Miss Reyes.”
Anonymously my ass…
“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” I state, features impassive.
Wayne picks up his phone and hits play. It’s me and Willa. The video Levi took of us that he’s been holding onto for months.
“This was sent to me this afternoon,” Wayne grumbles. “It’s a video of you in a highly inappropriate act with a student on school grounds.”
Levi smirks at me.
Willa, on the other hand, visibly shakes and pales at his words.
“I see,” I say in a calm voice. “And?”
“And it’s immediate grounds for termination.” Wayne throws his hand in the air. “Depending on when this video was taken, we may need to get the police involved.”
I don’t flinch because the police know and they’re not doing shit.
“You’re firing me?”
“You were…” Wayne trails off. “A student.”
“The word you’re looking for, Wayne, is fucking.” I shrug, no longer interested in denying the truth. “Yes, I was fucking my legal student. Still am. In fact, she lives with me because she’s my goddamn girlfriend.”
Wayne gapes in shock at my brutal honesty. Quickly, he recovers and clears his throat. “You can no longer remain employed at this school. I’ll need you to gather your things immediately and leave the premises.”
“I’ll leave,” I agree, “but not until you transfer him”—I say, jabbing a finger toward Levi—“to another class. I will not have my girlfriend putting up with his abusive shit if I’m not there to protect her.”
“I’ll see what I can do—” Wayne starts, but I cut him off.
“You’ll do it now,” I growl. “Do it now and then I’ll be out of here.”
“You’re in no position to make demands,” Wayne bites out.
“And you’re in no position to deny my one, simple request.” I narrow my eyes. “It’s like you forget who makes the most sizable donations to this school. You wouldn’t want me to tell my father you’re not capable of protecting his future daughter-in-law from rapists, would you?”
I can feel the hatred radiating from Levi, but it’s easy to ignore. I may not be able to smear his and his dad’s name through the mud for fear of getting Willa’s mother sent to prison, but it doesn’t mean I have to lie down and take his shit.
“Mr. Park,” Wayne mutters. “I’ll handle it. Now, please leave. I’ll have someone gather your belongings and you can pick them up at a later date.”
“I have to switch classes because he bullies you?” Levi gripes. “Unbelievable.”
“You’re playing games way out of your league, kid,” I state, sneering at Levi. “You’ve already gone too far.”
“Out of my league?” Levi scoffs. “Maybe I’m just getting started.”
“Stop while you’re ahead,” I warn.
“Or I could just send a certain video to every damn person in this town.”
His threats have me fisting my hands, barely able to keep the rage at bay. He knows he has the upper hand here. Even if he shares it with everyone, I still won’t be able to leak his father’s illegal shit because then Darren will expose Willa’s mom.