“Says the guy who never gets laid.”
“Children!” I tilt back my chair and grab the box of donuts I picked up last night after my blowup with Gabby. “Here. Have some carbs, and then you can help me strategize. I need to get my woman to forgive me for being an ass.”
Tank chomps on his donut and points at me. “I’m gonna refer you back to 80s rom-coms and the grand gesture.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about, but if it’ll help me make things right with Gabby, I’m all ears.
By the time we’re done talking, I’m relieved to have a plan. It feels good to know the guys are on my side.
But then my father calls later in the day, and just like that, that brief feeling of optimism evaporates.
64
GABBY
“Thank you.”I sniffle as I take the box of tissues from my counselor. Her wrinkled brow smooths when she gives me a concerned smile.
“This might surprise you, but you’re not the first student to cry in my office.”
“That makes me feel better.” Or it could be the half-hour I just spent purging my story to Ms. Vasquez.
She taps her pen on the desk. “The good news is what happened at Archer likely won’t affect your student-teacher placement. We have longstanding relationships with these public schools, and since you’re an excellent student and Hillcrest Middle School has already accepted you, I doubt they’ll have a problem. Especially since your name isn’t associated with those blurry, dark photos.”
“That is good news. Thank you.”
“It helps that you came to me first to explain the situation.” She tilts her head. “How is Rider taking everything? I understand he has a code of conduct review tomorrow. He must be incredibly anxious as well with so much riding on that meeting.”
My stomach drops.
Since I got fired, I’ve been solely focused on my situation. I was so hurt Rider didn’t even try to explain why he was hanging out with Miranda, I didn’t stop to consider how his whole future is in jeopardy and that stress could be a factor in his actions too.
Not that I’d ever forgive him if he did, in fact, sleep with Miranda.
But now that I’ve had some time to cool off, I don’t actually believe he hooked up with Miranda. Although I do feel like I’m playing second fiddle this week, which I don’t understand since I’m the one who’s been helping him with Poppy this semester. Miranda hasn’t helped with Poppy, not once, yet she’s the one he’s hanging out with?
Ugh, I hate how desperate and clingy that sounds in my head.
I rub my temple as I think back to last night and cringe. Yelling at Rider on his front lawn is not how I wanted to handle everything.
I’ll admit perhaps my accusations were unfair.
Not that this excuses my behavior, but I did have dangerously low blood sugar, which might have contributed to my reaction. I realized this when I got home and nearly passed out. Thankfully, Sienna grabbed my arm before I brained myself on the kitchen counter.
Even though I’m still upset about what Rider said to me, on my way home, I make a phone call, one that I hope will bolster his case.
Because while I’m hurt by what’s happened between us, I know he’s worked his tail off this semester to step into the role of father. Rider adores Poppy. He might not have been thrilled with the situation at the beginning, but it’s obvious he loves her.
I’m standing in front of my bungalow, staring at Rider’s house when I realize what a basket case I was last night. I didn’t even give Rider the whole story. I was running on emotion and light-headed and upset, and instead of detailing how I know Miranda is a snake, I freaked out.
I groan and run my hands through my hair.
He has no idea Miranda and Zoe approached me on Monday. He has no idea Miranda’s father fired me yesterday with those photos, only one of which was circulated with that blog article. How can Rider side with me when he doesn’t have the big picture?
Before I can talk myself out of it, I cross the street and knock on the door.
Tank opens it a minute later and scoops me into a hug so fast, it knocks the wind out of me. “Girl, it’s good to see you.”
After he sets me down and I can breathe again, I chuckle. “I saw you Monday night. It’s only Wednesday afternoon.”
