She looked over her shoulder at me and winked. “Care to join me?”
Fuck yes, I wanted to join her, but I also knew that if I did, we would be late. We still had to swing by the mechanics’ on the way to school because they had called and told her that her car was ready. Her having her own vehicle would make things easier. We didn’t risk being seen driving together, and we had already made room in the garage so she could pull in and keep her car concealed.
“Come on, hurry up,” I ordered, feeling excited to start the day only so I could end it with her.
But the day most definitely became your classic Monday. I had no idea how awful and long the day would be now that I had a taste of actual fun with Corrine. It seemed like one thing happened after another, students were acting up all over the place, and the drama was high in every corner of every hallway. To top it off, I had to confront Shelly and officially call off whatever it was that we had. I couldn’t risk any more surprise visits now that Corrine was staying with me, and though Shelly took it well, it sucked, and I wasn’t even entirely convinced she was taking me seriously.
It had been one hell of a day, and just as I was getting ready to start packing up, I decided to try calling Corrine’s mother again. We needed to do something. As much as I enjoyed having Corrine in my life, and even in my bed, I knew that we needed to address the stalker issue eventually. We couldn’t keep sneaking around with her living at my place. We were bound to be discovered… and yet, I didn’t want it to end either. But I did want her safe, and that would be my first priority.
But in addition to wanting Corrine safe, I wanted her fucking mother to give a damn about her wellbeing. Yes, I felt that Corrine and I had reached a level in our… relationship that I could help her vet some security guards and make sure we got the right person in place. I also could help her with updating her alarm system and adding cameras.
I could also keep a closer eye on that Kevin kid, because there was a high chance that this was just a matter of a pimple-faced boy having a crush and no balls to express it. I could be there for Corrine, and I planned to, but I also knew she needed her mother. She needed to know that someone out there loved her and would be by her side no matter what. She needed her god damn mother.
I was actually surprised when someone picked up the phone. So much so, that I wasn’t quite ready to speak.
“Hello?” The voice sounded jovial, loud, excited. There was some kind of party going on in the background.
“May I speak with Cora Parker?”
“Speaking.”
“Ms. Parker?” The loud music in the background made it very difficult to hear, and I could only imagine how hard it was for her to hear me.
“Hello?” She giggled and yelled at someone to lower the music.
“Ms. Parker,” I said again. “This is Mr. Dawson, the school principal at Black Mountain Academy. I’ve been trying to get hold of you for days.”
“Oh, sorry. We’ve been at sea, island-hopping. I sometimes get a signal on this yacht, and sometimes not.” The music lowered but was still loud enough that I was growing frustrated. “Who did you say you were again?”
“I’m the principal of your daughter’s school.”
“Where?”
“Black Mountain Academy,” I shouted, partly due to the loud music, but also because I wanted to jump through the phone and strangle the woman.
“Are you talking about Corrine?”
Who the hell else would I be talking about?
“Black Mountain Academy? When did she start going there?”
Was she drunk? High? Why was this conversation so fucking difficult?
“Ms. Parker, you would have had to sign papers for your daughter to attend the school. The tuition had to be paid. Uniform costs? Were you not aware that your daughter has been attending this school?”
“Corrine is free to do what she chooses. If she wants to go to Black Mountain School—”
“Academy,” I interrupted.
“Yeah, whatever. I’m fine with it. Is that why you’re calling? To ask my permission or something?”
“No. I was originally calling because your daughter has been missing a lot of school. So much so, that her chances of graduating have been put in jeopardy.”
“Sounds like Corrine,” she said. “I don’t know what you expect me to do about it. She’s an adult now. She can make her own choices.” She giggled again, and I could faintly hear another man speaking nearby. “I’m on the phone, but I’ll be there in a sec.”