“What are you suggesting?” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“I don’t like this school, but it’s a necessity. Hell, it keeps these bastards out of regular schools. I’m glad they’re all in one place—I just don’t want to be trapped in here with them. If you would write me a letter of recommendation, I could find a different school. I would even teach in the ghetto!” There was a hopelessness forming on his face, even as he laid out what he wanted in front of me.
“I see...” I nodded and sighed.
“I don’t want to say anything about what you did. I used to respect you; I really did. I felt like you were in hell with us, so you could relate. Since you’ve started turning things around, it feels like there a divide. S
ome of the students respect us and that is a nice change, but you can’t change them all. It just isn’t possible. I need out, Mr. Thorne.” His expression continued to reflect concern as he struggled with his words.
“So you don’t respect me anymore?” I tilted my head and stared him down.
“It—it is hard to respect you when you’re having sex with one of the students. Not just any student—the queen of this nightmare.” He took a hurried breath and exhaled sharply.
“I’m going to level with you, Mr. Matthews.” I didn’t feel like I had much to lose with him. He already knew something much worse than what I was about to tell him. “I’m not Sloane Thorne.”
“What?” His eyebrows almost touched his hairline. “Of course you are.”
“No.” I shook my head back and forth. “Grantham University broke Sloane—even worse than you. I’m his twin brother, Anton.”
“Anton?” He tilted his head in contemplation. “Wait, Anton is in prison.”
“I was.” I nodded and smiled. “But I’m out now and I saw a chance to do something good with my life. So, while you’re judging me, just remember what kind of man I am. Things have changed because I’m not afraid of these students. I put them in their place and if their parents decide to fuck with me, I put them in their place as well.”
“The rumors about Braden’s father are true?” His face reflected shock. “I thought it was just something the students were making up.”
“No, it’s all true.” I nodded. “I need you here at this school, Mr. Matthews, but I’m going to need you to grow a fucking backbone. You’re a teacher. These kids can either learn from you or they can wallow in their mediocrity. If you really want to leave Grantham University, then I’ll write you the letter you want. Before you make that decision final though, I’d like you to consider what I’m about to say.”
“Okay...” His face had started to lose color as he realized who he was sitting in front of.
“My brother will be back in a couple of weeks. I don’t plan to hand him the keys to a kingdom in disarray. You know what I did with Bethany Lewis, but you need to consider this—I don’t plan to stop. Even when my brother returns, I plan to keep seeing her. I might even marry her some day. Bethany isn’t your problem. The students aren’t your problem. The problem is you. You won’t stand up to them. You live in fear of them and their parents, but I’m telling you this—I will handle anything that happens. If they fuck with you, I’ll snap them in half. That’s the kind of leader I am.” I slammed my hand down hard on the desk and Mr. Matthews practically jumped out of his chair. “Grantham University is changing and you can be part of the solution or you can get the fuck out of my school.”
“I—I need time to think.” He pulled his hands close to his chest and started wringing them together.
“You have until Monday. Either you figure out how to fucking deal with your class, or you can leave. I don’t give a shit either way. I want you here, but if you don’t want to support the change I’m trying to bring to this school, then you’re just wasting my time.” I leaned back in my chair again.
I WASN’T SURE WHAT Mr. Matthews would decide, but my words to him were real. If he couldn’t support me, then he didn’t belong on my staff. I preferred to have him there, even with all of his faults. I saw the same kind of lost spirit in him that I saw in my brother when I got out of prison. Mr. Matthews knew the truth and what he decided to make of it was on him.
I pulled out my bottle of whiskey and took a swig before getting up to leave for the day. Bethany had tried to come see me and it seemed like I had lost my chance to see her. It would be an agonizing weekend without her touch but there was nothing I could do about it. Mr. Matthews had dominated my time, but the discussion was necessary, even if thoughts of having Bethany in my arms were burning me up inside. I hoped she would still be around when I walked out of my office, but all I saw was Braden standing across the hallway. It was definitely too late for him to be at school, but the smirk on his face suggested he was waiting on me.
“Mr. Thorne.” He grinned and walked towards me.
“What do you want, Braden?” I let out a sigh and stared at him.
“I just wanted you to know that my father...” Braden chuckled. “He has a big surprise for you next week.”
“Is that so?” I shook my head with another sigh. “Hasn’t he already figured out that he shouldn’t mess with me?”
“Enjoy your weekend.” Braden started walking away from me without acknowledging my words. “Next weekend is going to be epic.”
I regretted not exchanging numbers with Bethany as I stood in the hallway. All of the classrooms were empty—just like my arms. She was supposed to be in detention, so I checked there just to make sure, although I didn’t expect to find her waiting for me. My conversation with Mr. Matthews had taken far too long. I locked up the school and headed to my car with my blood boiling. I was angry at Mr. Matthews and angry at Braden—both of them had put stress on me that would last through the weekend. I wasn’t sure what Braden’s father had in store for me, but I wasn’t surprised. I had put him in place, but he did seem to give up fairly easily for someone as rich and powerful as he was. I hoped that the surprise had nothing to do with Bethany. I didn’t think Mr. Matthews had said anything and I trusted Bethany not to share it with someone like Braden, but I couldn’t help but worry when I got home. My brother was still in good spirits, which was a welcome change. We sat up late into the night talking again before he finally went to bed and I stretched out on the couch.
I really hope this doesn’t come crashing down next week.
Chapter 14: Bethany
I was going to wait for Anton, even after I saw him deeply engrossed in conversation with Mr. Matthews, but Braden was waiting when I left the office. He didn’t tell me exactly what was going on, but he did tell me enough to let me know that Anton was in real trouble. His father had a plan to bring him down once and for all. Technically, Braden and his father thought they were bringing Sloane down, but it would be both of the brothers that suffered. After the encounter with Braden, I tried to linger, but I didn’t want him to be suspicious. When the conversation with Mr. Matthew seemed to be taking longer than I hoped it would, I decided that I didn’t have any choice but to go home. My mother had mentioned that she wanted to have a sit-down dinner and I didn’t want any questions if I came in so late that the food was cold. I could have managed a quickie with Anton, but I couldn’t wait on him all night, even if my body was practically begging me to consider it.
“So, when do we get to see some of those awesome grades you’re getting?” My mother pushed a plate of ham towards me.