Page 39 of Burning Skies
“Stop. I know I’m a grown woman, but I still get stressed out when I get a message like this.”
He chuckles. “It’s not a big deal. I’ve been called to her office a dozen times.” He holds out his arms. “And I’m still here.”
“Do you really get in trouble for stories in the newspaper?”
Tilting his head, he shrugs. “Sometimes people get touchy about things. Like last year. Remember when a senior released two pigs in the building, and they were labeled Piggy One and Piggy Three in black Sharpie? And the entire school spent the afternoon looking for number two? The assistant principal took issue with our article because he didn’t like how my student quoted him. But my kids win national awards. You can’t really argue with that.”
“You do a great job. I even saw two of your students taking photos when the shed caught on fire. There’s no way anyone would’ve captured that if you guys hadn’t been working late.”
Glancing around, he lowers his voice. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about it. That had to be scary.”
“It was, honestly. Fire is so unpredictable. I just didn’t want it to spread. It wasn’t until it was over that I freaked out.”
The bell rings, and I realize I need to haul ass to the main office, so I pack my things.
Adrian puts his hand on my arm. “Before you go, can I ask a favor? My student Sabrina is supposed to ask you for an interview for our article. Can she stop by to see you after school?”
My father will flip out if he sees how close that fire came to my house. “I don’t know, Adrian. I’m a pretty private person.” I feel bad telling him no.
“Please? Having a first-hand source is so much better for her article.” He folds his hands together like he’s praying.
I think about what I told Cyn at the Laughing Pony, that I hate being a doormat around my parents. It’s time I start doing what I want, isn’t it? So I relent. “Could we talk on Monday? I have to chaperone the football game tonight.”
“You’re the best, Honey. I really appreciate it.”
Realizing I’m about to be late, I grab my planner, a pen, and my cell, and book it down the hall. I dodge students as I race to the front office. The secretary tells me to go in, and I pass her desk, which has an enormous bouquet of roses. Someone spent a small fortune on those.
I’m not sure what I’m expecting when I get into the principal’s office, but it isn’t seeing the sheriff and the fire chief when I stick my head in. “Hi. Am I late? I just got your message.”
The principal waves me in. “Honey, please grab a seat.”
As I walk deeper into the room, I realize there’s one more person in attendance. Beau Walker.
My heart instantly goes crazy when I spot him. Except I’m not prepared for his reaction to seeing me. When he wasstanding in my backyard earlier this week, he was friendly, but now he looks pissed for some reason.
He’s standing there like a sentinel, arms crossed, jaw tight.
God, this man. I don’t know if I want to kick him in the shin or lick his face.
But seeing as we only used each other for sex, I settle for ignoring him. I sit in the chair across from the principal, fold my hands, and pretend I’m not freaked out I got called in. Clearly, I have an issue with authority. No wonder I always wuss out around my father.
Principal Erickson smiles at me. “Thanks for joining us, Honey. Like I said at the assembly this morning, the fire department has some concerns about the recent emergencies at the school. Beau was kind enough to come down here on his day off. He was worried we’ve had three incidents in three weeks, and Fire Chief O’Neill agrees. I admit that’s a lot, even for us. After discussing it, Sheriff Reynolds wanted to review the details. I told him you were there for two of the situations. If you don’t mind, could you recount what you remember?”
I shake my head. “I wasn’t there for the fire in the bathroom. Just the shed fire.”
Sheriff Reynolds takes out his notepad. “But you were in your classroom across the hall, correct?”
“Yes,” I say slowly.
“And you were there for the rattlesnake too.”
Frowning, I turn to Beau. “You think someone did that deliberately?”
He barely glances at me. “How else do you think a full-grown rattler got inside the building?”
There’s a cold breeze wafting off him. I’m not sure why he’s mad at me. What did I do?
I’m so glad I didn’t suck his dick.
