Page 42 of The Monster I Am
I don’t ask how he knows my name. I could assume it’s on a list in front of him, but then again, my reputation precedes me just as much as Bexley’s does.
“Did you volunteer to sub in?” I ask.
Mr. Martin nods. “Absolutely! Why not? I can’t miss seeing my seniors finish off their year. Plus, new adventures and all.”
“You’re strangely game.”
“Education and learning have no limitations,” he answers. “My job is to teach whomever wants to learn. I’d teach a trash bin to tango if it asked nicely.”
My heartily laugh has him grinning like a Cheshire cat. Feeling brave, I jump straight into the most obvious question.
“Tell me about Bexley,” I start. “What is she like at Cedar Heights?”
“Ahh,” he hums, mulling over the question as a fond expression appears on his face. “She’s one of a kind, young Bexley. Probably the most loyal student I’ve met. You’re not a spy trying to gain intel, are you?” He asks jokingly. “Because I’d have to tell her.”
I shake my head, biting back a grin. “Hey—whatever happened to teacher-student confidentiality? Have you seen her throw a right hook? You’re practically endangering my life if you do.”
Mr. Martin leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk and plopping his chin on his entwined hands. “She’s fond of you.”
“What makes you say that?” I implore. “Maybeyou’rethe spy in this room.”
He throws his hands up defensively. “Me? No, never. But I have seen you together.”
Hopefully not in my truck… Dammit, Bex. Do not get hard, Rylan. Settle the fuck down.
I’m still in crisis stop-erection mode when he presses on.
“She’s happy around you,” he marvels. “Able to let her guard down a little. Which, yes, perhaps I should be discouraging.Feudand all,” he says sarcastically with a laugh, fingers making air quotes.
“Maybe,” I agree humorously. “But the feeling is mutual.”
“So, I don’t have to worry about you being a sleeper cell spy?”
“Nope,” I chuckle. “But I’d be on the lookout for one Tai Beckett. He might try to find out your secrets—possibly ask for the color of your hair dye.”
The parking lot is deserted when detention is over with only a few remaining vehicles scattered around. Which makes it horribly easy to spot the waiting person standing by my truck.
“What do you want now, Olivia?” I grouch at her. “It’s been a long day and I’m tired.”
Liv uses her foot to kick off from my front wheel. “Must be so exhausting being the great Rylan Astor,” she taunts. “The poor little rich boy with everything he wants. Well, except for the one thing money can’t buy.”
Fuck’s sake. When will I get a break from this psycho?
“Okay,” I scoff, unlocking my car door and tossing my bag inside. “I’ll bite if it gets this conversation over with quicker. What don’t I have?”
I don’t bother turning around to face her, uninterested in whatever she has to say.
“Bexley Spencer’s love.”
Stiffening, I take a second to make sure I heard her correctly, before twisting my neck to glance over my shoulder. “What did you say?” I demand through clenched teeth.
Liv smirks, hip popped to one side with folded arms. “I love you, Bex,” she mimics in a deep, mocking tone. Sighing extra dramatically, she feigns a look of concern. “Really, Rylan? I’m disappointed. She’s so beneath you.”
“Only when I’m fucking her,” I snap back. “Which means she has more than you.”
Shit.
I can’t give her any ammo. Get control, you idiot.
