I missed the unveiling of my grandfather’s statue yesterday.
I. Am. The. Worst.
But I couldn’t face anyone after finding out that I’ve been played a fool again.
After I left the office, I walked straight to the corner liquor store and picked up an extra large bottle of vodka and a gallon of cranberry juice. Noah was at the house an hour later, banging on the front door and begging to be let in. Sufficed to say, I ignored the jerk.
Some distance from the situation is best, I’ve decided. Less likely for me to do or say something irrevocable, considering the state I’m in.
Sunglasses hiding my bloodshot eyes, I head to the office to let them know I’m here to see my sister for an urgent family matter. Like if I don’t leave town today, I may commit a homicide.
The principal, a middle-aged man so tall and thin he resembles Slender Man, comes charging out of his office to get a selfie and some tips on his groundstrokes. All good and well, I never mind signing autographs and taking pictures as long as someone is respectful about it.
This is where things get squirrelly.
I’m pretty sure that when he tips his head to touch mine and snaps the selfie, he also brushes his hand over my ass. It took me a moment to realize what had occurred and by then the damage was already done. I suffer through more small talk while he personally escorts me to my sister’s office. This time I’m careful to keep my distance.
Bebe’s head snaps up. She looks startled to hear the door open to her closet, err office, and find the principal and me standing in the doorway. With her cheeks turning pink, she low-key places her phone in a drawer. Curiosity overtakes my sour mood for a moment.
“Here she is, my favorite P.E. teacher,” Slender Man announces.
My sister grimaces. “You can leave now, Octopus.”
Umm…
The principal’s shiny smile falls and he brushes his hair off his forehead in a nervous gesture. “Nice meeting you, Miss Murphy,” he directs at me and ducks out of the tiny office. Shuffling in, I plop down in the plastic chair on the other side of her metal desk.
“Did you just call the principal…Octopus?” What’s scary is that this does not even faze me.
Her head tilts adorably. That’s the thing with Annabelle. She looks innocent, and yet she’s the devil in disguise. “Are you drunk?”
“Hung over.” I lift my sunglasses off, placing them on top of my head, and rub my eyes.
“Darby likes to get handsy with the young teachers. We all call him Octopus.”
Now I get it. “I’m pretty sure he asked for a photo so he could grab my ass. Why don’t you report him?”
“Because despite being a disgusting pig, he’s an excellent administrator and great with the kids. The best we’ve ever had by far. So we all try to shame him into better behavior.”
“Is it working?”
“Yes––until you arrived. Where did you disappear to yesterday?”
“I feel terrible,” I confess, groaning. “I came to tell you that I’m leaving tonight. You’ll explain to mom and dad?”
Disappointment is written all over her face and it makes me feel even worse. It’s no longer just my head throbbing, my conscience gives it a go too.
“Leaving? Already?”
“I got a call from my manager. The tabloids ran a story that I was cheating on Oliver with Noah and she wants me in London to do damage control. An interview blah blah blah.”
“What does that have to do with yesterday?”
My blood starts to sizzle again. “I was explaining it to Noah––” I exhale loudly, fired up by as fresh influx of anger. “I was about to tell him that I was going to pack my shit and move back here. I was allll excited about it…and then I saw them––”
“Saw what?”
“The files on his computer,” I grumble. “He has videos of all my matches. All of them. He was at every one of them…how messed up is that?”
One, two, three seconds pass and then a heavy scowl appears on my sister’s face. “He’s such a piece of flaming dog shit.”
Her reaction takes me by surprise. “Umm, that’s a little harsh, don’t you think?”
“No, I don’t,” she shoots back, her mouth set in a grim, tight line. “You’re not really surprised? I mean, come on, he’s a worthless scumbag––always has been.”
My neck gets hot. “Whoa. Chill, Bebe. Noah is not a scumbag. He loves me…he just…has poor judgment sometimes.” I rub my temples. “This conversation is making my headache worse.”
“I can’t believe you’re defending him. He’s a lying, deceitful pig who doesn’t deserve you. What he deserves is to be castrated and allowed to live the rest of his miserable life without his junk.”
My jaw hits the floor. I’m speechless for a good long time seeing as I only have two bars showing on my brain power. “I hate to sound like mom but are you on your period? Because you’re being super mean right now. Yes, what he did was stupid. It was, okay? I’ll give you that. But it’s also kind’a sweet. It’s kind of romantic if you really think about it.”