Gavin pulls away from me. “Shit!”
I jump off the desk and we do our best to quickly right ourselves. I take a seat and try looking like I wasn’t about to have sex on the desk. Again.
Gavin unlocks the door and swings it open. Students are piled up, waiting to get in. I notice a few curious glances as they walk into the room but no one seems to notice anything is amiss. Until I make my way into the hallway and see Dylan leaning against a locker directly in front of the door. He’s glaring at someone over my shoulder so I turn around to find the target of his ire. Gavin is standing right behind me, returning Dylan’s cold stare. Dylan’s eyes meet mine and quickly flicker down my body. I nervously look away, fidgeting under his scrutiny. When I realize how guilty I appear, I meet his gaze and act aloof. That’s when I see it. His eyes widen—marginally at best—but I know him well enough to read him. He knows.
I quickly cross the hall. “Dylan—”
He holds his hand up. “You’re fucking the new guy? You’ve got to be kidding me, Kat!”
He slams his open hand into a locker before storming away, leaving me standing there wondering what the hell I should do. I turn around and see Gavin standing in the doorway to his classroom, clearly having witnessed the entire thing.
“What should I—”
He shakes his head, silently telling me to shut my mouth. “You’d better get to class, Miss Kennedy. We can review your questions about the assignment after school.”
“Right,” I nod.
Hopefully shit won’t hit the fan before then.
I LINGER BY MY LOCKER AFTER SCHOOL as the halls filter out. I tried speaking with Dylan several times but he was doing everything possible to avoid me. We had two classes together after lunch and he acted like he didn’t even notice I was in the room. If I didn’t catch the occasional glare directed my way, I would’ve thought I imagined the whole incident earlier.
I wait until I’ve felt enough people have left before making my way to Gavin’s room. He’s leaving just as I reach his class.
“Miss Kennedy, can I help you with something?”
I remind myself to be discreet. “Um, I was hoping to ask you about the assignment that’s due on Friday.”
“I’m sorry but I’m not staying after today. I have to meet the cable guy at home. I’m having issues with my service.”
“Oh.”
He widens his eyes. “So I’ll see you later?”
“Yeah, I guess.” How is he not worried about the massive pile of shit we could be buried under if Dylan says something? I stare at him blankly trying to figure out what to say.
“Okay, so I’m going home then. I’ll be there all night. You know those cable guys; they’re never on time.”
Ah, I get it now. “Right. Well, I’ll see you later then.”
Seemingly satisfied that I’ve read between the lines, he nods. “Have a good evening, Miss Kennedy.”
“You too, Mr. Cooper.”
I take the long way to the parking lot so we’re not seen leaving together. I spot Gavin pulling out of the lot as I reach my car and count to sixty before starting the ignition and following. I pull into his driveway as he’s opening the door to the detached garage. He motions for me to park inside and waits as I exit my vehicle. I notice his eyes darting around nervously.
“You’re sure he didn’t follow you, right?”
“I’m sure. I saw his truck parked at Perk Up on my way over. His shift usually starts right after school on weekdays.”
He nods, seemingly satisfied that I’ve taken necessary precautions. “We need to be careful, Kat. Really fucking careful.”
“That’s why I’m here, isn’t it? To figure out what we’re going to do about Dylan?”
“Right.” He gestures for me to step inside and closes the door behind me. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“A beer works.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Really? You’d like to add contributing to the delinquency of a minor to my list of bad choices?”