Page 123 of Law Maker
Alba chuckled. “Something like that. But the town’s cute, and the shops are fun.”
“Hope we can see them.”
Not all students stayed for Willowbrook’s summer SAT prep, but the school had organized five-day trips for those who did. Today’s excursion to Oakwood Springs was the first.
“Do you need anything?” Alba asked. “I need more pink yarn, but I don’t think they sell it here. I’ll have Dad bring more.”
“I need clothes.” I glanced at the cafes and stores with colorful awnings lining the cobbled street. “Asher and I are spending the weekend together soon. I want something special.”
As in lingerie for my first time. After the beach night two days ago, I hadn’t stopped thinking about him and what we’d do when he picked me up in two weeks.
“I’m sure we’ll have time to hit a few places.” Excited voices filled the bus as we slowed beside a coffee shop with pink tables scattered on the terrace. “Fan favorite?” I asked Alba.
She smiled with one corner of her mouth. “Instagram favorite. But the coffee’s great.”
The no-phone rule only applied on school grounds, thankfully. I didn’t plan to take a million pictures, but I wanted to send one toAsher—he’d won Sunday’s race and sent me a photo with the trophy Alejandro took.
Off the bus, Teagan joined Alba and me. Her two best friends had gone home for the summer, but she’d stayed. Her dislike of Alba had conveniently dissipated now that she had no one else to hang with. The three of us settled for lattes on the sun-soaked terrace, watched from afar by Sarah and our tutor, Rose.
The sun was merciless at ten a.m. I twisted my hair into a low bun and secured it.
“What’s on your neck?” Teagan narrowed her eyes.
Shit. I’d forgotten the mark Asher had left. No longer hidden by my hair, it was obvious. His mark showed too, but I doubted anyone would give him the judging look Teagan gave me. She hadn’t tattled—yet—but she might. I needed to be careful.
I shrugged. “Nothing.”
Teagan spooned foam into her latte. “You had it after sneaking out on Saturday.”
“Yeah.” Alba deadpanned. “It’d be hard to get at school unless someone volunteered.”
I snorted into my drink.
“I’d never let anyone do that to me,” Teagan said. “That’s disrespectful.”
Alba pushed her coffee aside. “Not if it’s consensual.”
I winked. “Oh, it was. I left one on him too. All good.” I’d enjoyed every second.
Teagan scrunched up her face. “Weird.”
“Nobody’s forcing you to do anything you’re not comfortable with,” I said, irritation coiling under my skin. “But don’t offer judgment unless someone asks for it.”
Teagan had just turned seventeen—a year younger than me, technically nothing, but with her it felt like a gulf. She leaned on her parents and soaked up teachers’ attention. None of that was bad; it was the judging that ate at me. I got enough of that from my father and hated it with every atom.
“I’m just saying, if my grades were at risk, I wouldn’t waste time sneaking around with a guy. Our parents sent us to Willowbrook to focus on our studies.”
“Yours might have. My father just likes fucking his girlfriend when I’m not around.”
Teagan’s eyes went wide. I swallowed a mouthful of coffee; the sip rattled.
Alba rose as if unfazed. “I’ll ask Sarah if we can see the store across the street. We can go while everyone’s here.” She skirted the table and left.
“I’m sorry,” Teagan said, lowering her voice. “I just think holding on to that resentment isn’t healthy. Maybe you should forgive your dad. I’m sure he has your best interests at heart. You don’t need to sneak out to make him notice you. Just tell him how you feel.”
I’d told him how I felt for years; he’d never made time to listen. I wasn’t sneaking out to punish him—I was sneaking out to be with the guy I loved.
“We can go once you finish your coffee,” Alba called from the doorway.
