Let's Be Crazy (Oh Captain, My Captain 4)

“Fine.” I groan and squint my eyes because the light is killing me.

“You look like shit.”

“Thanks.”

Tiff sits in the chair across from my desk. She starts rambling off events and parties that we need to handle, and I do my best to keep up. We hear the front door open, and someone stomping down the hall. My office door flies open, and on the other side is a pissed off Brooke. Rage is written all over her red face, matching her scrubs.

“What the fuck, Lexie?”

“Um, what?”

“I was called by the school because my son was in the bathroom, crying hysterically, and no one could calm him down. When I get there, my own son can’t even speak to me because he can’t stop crying. I had to drive to the hockey rink and get Ashton off the ice, something I’ve never done before, and do you want to know what happened?”

I shake my head. I’m concerned and hope that Reed is okay.

“He threw up all over Ashton because he still was crying so hard.”

“Oh my God, is he okay?”

“No!” she shouts at me. “He finally was calm enough to tell us that Sadie told him they couldn’t be friends anymore because of you.”

“What? I said nothing of the sort.”

“I don’t what the hell is going on, but what I do know is that Ashton and I have spent a lot of time making Reed’s life as easy as possible. He doesn’t have any friends besides Sadie because everyone just wants to be close to Ashton instead. Whatever happened between you and Ashton is your fault.”

“Amen,” Tiff chimes in. I almost forgot she’s sitting there.

“That’s not true,” I lie.

“Stop with the excuses, Lexie. Ashton is the greatest guy, but my problem right now is my heartbroken son.”

“Brooke, I didn’t say anything to Sadie. Last night, she told me that Reed heard you talking about Ashton and me.”

She sighs. “I’ve tried to be careful what I say, and Ashton too. But everyone can feel the tension, and look at what it’s done. Now, I need to go take care of Reed.” She spins on her heels and leaves.

“Well, you know how to fuck up stuff, don’t you?” Tiff sneers at me.

“Shut up. I didn’t want Sadie and Reed to stop being friends. Sadie is very happy with Reed.”

“Well, you have your wish. You don’t ever have to see Ashton again. Now, Sadie can be as miserable as you are. I bet Tony is so proud of you right now.” Tiff gets up and leaves the office.

I throw down my pen and bang my head on the desk. It doesn’t hurt because it’s already in pain. I want Sadie to be happy. She needs Reed in her life, and she needs that happiness that they have together.

Crap.

I grab my purse and drive over to the school. I tell the office that I need Sadie to leave early. I wait for her to come, and when she does, her face is sad. She looks like she’d been crying too.

Crap.

I take her hand, and we head to the car. My first stop is the fast-food drive-thru. I get a large order of chicken nuggets and a handful of packets of ketchup. While paying for the food, I text Brooke.

Me: Where are you?

Brooke: Ashton’s

Well, of course she is, because Reed needed his dad. I tell her that I’m on my way, and drive to his house. When I pull into the driveway, I help Sadie out of the car. I grab the bag of food and knock on the door. Brooke answers it, and her face isn’t as red as it was in my office.

“I want to see Reed.”