Chapter 32
Friday was finally here. Of course Sydney and her friends had forgotten I’d been planning on texting them when I got off work yesterday to find out where they were.
They were done by that time anyway. So, I’d gone shopping alone, but video called Asher in the dressing rooms and actually picked out something a little more similar to my birthday outfit.
Not quite as fancy, but definitely not school-appropriate.
Off-the-shoulder, dark red crop top that I’d wear with some black boyfriend cut jeans.
But it wasn’t just any red crop top. No, it had a sweetheart neckline with cute, ruched sleeves and a cut-out just below the bust line.
It was a little edgier than what I normally wore, without being so far from my style.
I spun on my chair, lazily excited that we would also be ending school after third period. Students could stay for lunch if needed, which would give me time to finish the work I would’ve had to do over the weekend, and then we would get to go home.
I would get to see Asher.
Students began slowly trickling in, ready to start second hour.
Grins were plastered upon their faces, knowing that they were that much closer to ending school.
Plus, the look on Selena’s and Caralee’s faces told me gossip would happen.
After they did some work on their essays.
I figured none of them would be that upset to continue writing the persuasive essay on which song was their favorite and why.
They were required to use personal experiences from this weekend, but if someone wasn’t able to go, they were able to privately approach me and gain permission to use YouTube.
The chatter was loud and rambunctious as the time ticked closer and closer to the end of class.
I knew their focus was long gone, since most of the kids were no longer typing as intently as they had for the first half of class.
Even the students who normally worked hard, no matter what, were getting distracted.
“All right, you can put your stuff away and chat for the rest of class,” I finally announced, and every laptop slammed shut. They carried them quickly to the portable lab in the back of the room and then immediately returned to their seats—barely breaking conversation.
Until Dane whipped his head to face me. “Miss Duval!” he said loudly, quieting the class.
I lifted a brow, looking away from my computer screen. “Yes, Dane?”
“You remember your promise, right? You’ll take videos at both concerts?”
I nodded. “Of course I remember. I’m a girl of my word.”
“Is your boyfriend going to be there?” Selena shouted and wiggled her brows, knowing more than the rest in the class. As I thought about it, I bet the background of the video Asher sent gave it away for her as well.
“Yeah, Miss Duval! That man you’re talking to on Picsnap. Is he going to be there?” Caralee added with a grin.
“Maybe?” I teased, narrowing my gaze suspiciously.
“Oh, come on, just answer us!” Benson begged.
“Okay, yes. He’ll be there.” I glanced at Selena, who merely sat in her chair with a smug smile on her face.
“So, you’ll take pictures with him and share them with us?” Dane asked.
“That wasn’t part of the agreement,” I stated, not outright denying it because, well, yes. There would be many pictures with him.
“Just one!” Madison piped in.
Shouts of agreement rippled through the classroom.
“He may show up in some of the agreed-upon pictures,” I replied, and the class groaned.
“That’s not a no, guys,” Selena piped in, and I gestured to her.
“Fair enough,” Dane grumbled.
“Just be prepared to have your minds blown with the pictures I do get,” I teased, grinning. Little did they know that I was headed backstage for the meet and greet with the band whose lead singer happened to be my boyfriend.
The pit swayed, slamming back and forth with the beat of the music.
I grinned, feeling very relaxed because within maybe ten minutes or so, the man that I was dating would be on that stage, and Sydney was still none the wiser.
Once the opening band finished their set, it would be time to find out what songs I would be singing.
Which seemed daunting and exciting at the same time.
My voice would be recorded and shared, on purpose, but all for fun.
Sydney would also hear me actually sing for the first time since we’d met, but there was a part of me that knew she wouldn’t even mention it.
That she wouldn’t truly care. It seemed so odd how unconcerned I felt anymore toward her and Tera and the rest of the girls.
Cheers erupted for the rather good opener, and someone bumped my shoulder.
“Want to come get some drinks with me?” Elysia shouted into my ear.
She looked stunning, her hair curled nicely and pulled back into an exquisite messy bun.
She wasn’t wearing her usual teacher outfit, much like me.
No, she had on a low-cut tank and black leather pants, her eye makeup quite a bit darker than usual.
I loved it. Nodding once, I tapped Sydney on the shoulder. “We’re going to grab drinks really quickly,” I relayed, and she nodded.
“Be really fast, you don’t want to miss the band coming onto the stage. This is Void we are talking about, my future boyfriend!” She squealed and jumped forward, shoving between Megan and Tera.
I stared for a moment, wondering if she even remembered that she promised to record the video for me. But as she gossiped and chatted with the other girls, stealing Becca’s drink and downing the liquor, I came to the conclusion that she didn’t.
So, while I followed Elysia through the crowd and out the side entrance, I asked if she would do it for me.
She giggled, hooking my elbow as we weaved through the people toward the back of the drink line. “Of course I will do that for you. Though tomorrow, I don’t think I’ll be of much help.”
I smiled. “Thank you. I figured tomorrow’s video would probably end up being a selfie-type video, or whatever those are called.”
She lifted her brows as the line inched forward. “Or, you could have your boyfriend record something. From the stage.” She grinned as I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t say that so loudly. And that wouldn’t work. He needs to focus on what he’s doing up there, plus, I’d like to keep the anonymity going.”
“’Cause you have so much of that.” She bumped my shoulder once more.
“You know what, neither of those were my fault, and so far, only you and Selena have figured it out,” I replied, narrowing my gaze as someone shrieked loudly behind us.
Spinning around, I chuckled. “Speaking of…”
“Miss Duval! Miss Duval!” Selena squealed and pushed through the line of people behind Elysia and me. She had her hand wrapped around Caralee’s wrist, dragging her along.
“Hey, Miss Duval!” Caralee added, stumbling to keep up.
“Hi, girls.” I smiled, and they stopped in front of me.
“So, I guess it’s true.” Selena grinned, knowing something more than her friend.
“Does this mean I get to get out of recording the video now?” I teased, and Caralee fervently shook her head.
“No, absolutely—”
“Well, would you look at this,” a slimy voice interrupted, and my heart stopped as the smile fell from my face.
Danny.
He walked around the back of my two students, wearing a casual white T-shirt and jeans. Nothing too business-like or fancy, but definitely not Asher’s vibe. His hair was neatly cut, gelled and styled to perfection.
I sneered as he stopped beside me, butting between Selena and me. “Danny,” I snarled, and he chuckled.
“Is that the way to greet someone who cares about you?” He leered at me, and I rolled my eyes.
“Miss Duval, is this him?” Caralee quietly asked, her gaze flickering between Danny and me.
“Is this him? What is she asking?” Danny swung his eyes toward my students. “Who is she? Who are they?”
Selena frowned, disgust written plainly on her face, while Caralee watched in confusion.
“These are two of my students.” I crossed my arms. His brow lifted, his gaze trickling down to my cleavage. Scowling even harder, I slid my positioning to cover up my chest. “What do you want?”
His face fell flat. “Do I need to teach you manners again? I thought your parents did better, but clearly the message—”
And I slapped him across his cheek. Elysia gasped and quickly covered her grin with her hand as my two students’ eyes widened. Selena was smiling wickedly, but Caralee’s jaw fell open wide. He placed his hand against the red print that was slowly forming on his skin.
“Why would you smack your boyfriend, Miss Duval?” Caralee croaked in shock.
“Because he’s—”
“Exactly,” Danny cut me off with a hiss.
Elysia rolled her eyes and stepped forward. “Leave. She doesn’t want you here.”
“What?” Caralee gasped, still completely confused as Danny suddenly stepped right into my personal space. He snapped a hand around my upper arm and jerked me forward. Instinctively, Caralee jumped into Selena’s side as the two girls flinched away.
“Get. Out. Of. My. Face.” My words sliced like a guillotine blade, and I shoved against his body.
But he dipped his head and placed his mouth right next to my ear. “I told you I wasn’t finished,” he warned and then let go.
All the rage that was twisted on his face immediately fled as he smiled at my two students. “Nice to meet you girls,” he said, swinging a glare at Elysia before slipping back into the crowd and disappearing.
My heart squeezed in my chest as worry filled my body. I looked at my friend, fear evident on my face. “You don’t think he knows, too, do you?” I whispered, and she took a deep breath.
“Honestly, Cosi. I have no idea. No idea.”
We stepped forward in line once again.
“You okay, Miss Duval?” Selena’s voice quivered as I slowly nodded.
I wasn’t, but not because I was worried about Danny. I was worried what he might do that could hurt those I cared about. I was worried that he might expose me to the world. Obviously only if he knew, but the way things had felt, I think he somehow did.
“That’s not your boyfriend. Please tell me that’s not,” Caralee piped in, still clutching Selena’s arm.
I shook my head. “No, he’s not. He’s an annoying ex who seems to think that he has some right to me.”
“Oh, good.” Caralee breathed out in relief. “Besides, he definitely doesn’t give off the carefree vibes that the guy on your Picsnap did. And he’s a bit bulkier.” Her eyes remained locked on where Danny had been last, clearly still afraid he might return.
“Selfie and then we go?” Selena quickly asked and tugged on her friend. I nodded once as the girls huddled around. I took a couple with my phone for good measure, making sure Elysia was in some of them before the two girls jolted off and we ordered our drinks.
Apprehension sat heavy in my stomach, curdling nausea into my throat.
I was incredibly worried that he knew about Asher and me and would somehow use that against me.
That timer that had been ticking steadily in the background seemed to be snapping faster and faster toward the end. A finality that still evaded me.