Chapter Twenty - Two
Flame…
Finally the last autograph was signed and I was ready to rip Ashley a new one.
I knew she caused this. There was no other reason, I knew none of the guys had said anything and the hotel was already dealing with a security breach so I doubted it had been them.
Yes people knew we were staying here but it had been contained, until now. Fucking twat.
“What the hell were you thinking?” She batted her baby blues at me, but it didn’t work like it used to. I was in love with teddy bear brown eyes now. Fuck, Michelle. She would be freakin’ furious. We had to get her stuff from the school.
“I don’t know what you mean? I wanted to talk to you in private, you can’t believe I’d bring all these people here.”
“Like hell I don’t. Of course you did. The more distractions the better, the more chances to be photographed and get your name in the paper.”
“I’d never…”
“Bull shit. I used to think you were so amazing, but that was high school and I’ve grown up a lot since then. Your shit doesn’t work on me now.”
“Are you sure? You used to love me. You can again. Why would you want that ugly mean bitch when you can have me?”
“You’re kidding right? Are you really that delusional?” Finally I seemed to be getting through to her. But something bothered me, how did she know Michelle? Not that she was ugly or mean, but how would she even know her? “Were you the one in our room the other night?”
“What are you talking about?” Her mouth was denying it but she looked uncomfortable. Could she have pulled it off? And why? Did she think I’d toss Michelle away if I thought she was with someone else?
“Our room was broken in to the other night, Michelle was drugged. You sure you don’t know anything about that?”
“No way. I’m not crazy. I don’t care how famous you are, you’re not worth going to jail for.” Finally the truth, but still she knew something.
“Have you been following Michelle?” Yup there it was her telltale blush. I used to think it was so sexy before I realized it happened every time she got caught fucking with someone or something. She really was a cold hearted conceited bitch.
“So what if I have. I didn’t do anything to her. I wanted to see what you thought was so great.”
“Sweetheart you wouldn’t know it if slapped you in the face. She is kind, caring and honest. You don’t even know the definition of the words.”
“You fuckin’ son of a bitch…”
“Yup there’s the sweet Ashley we know and love. I really should thank you for treating me like shit in high school. It was the best thing you could have done. It scares the fuck out of me to think I could have ended up with you.”
I should have known better, but she was quick and I’d forgotten how fast she was.
Before I knew what happened she’d given me a right hook to the jaw.
Her brothers taught her well. Unfortunately, Sally taught us well too, and I couldn’t hit her back.
Luckily security took care of her for me, dragging her off somewhere hopefully to never be heard from again.
“Oh and Ashley, expect to hear from my lawyers. You assaulted me in front of witnesses so it looks like you might be going to jail anyway.” My jaw throbbed and I figured it was nice and red, she had a hell of a hook. I hoped Michelle would think it was funny and not be too pissed off.
I’d been dealing with this for almost two hours.
Shit. There was no way she wouldn’t be pissed, except when I got to the hotel room it was empty.
I checked, no note. I opened the closet and her clothes were still there, thank God.
She didn’t just win my heart, she was my heart. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her.
So where the fuck was she? Pulling my phone out of my pocket I checked my messages again—nothing. Shit.
Me: Michelle where are you?
No reply, that meant she was either pissed off or something was wrong. For now I’d go with the pissed off. It was safer. I dialed Chaos, if anyone knew where she was it would be Cyn.
“What’s up?”
“Hey bro, can you ask Cyn if she knows where Michelle is? She’s not here.” I couldn’t make out what they were saying Chaos must have had his hand over the speaker.
“She went to get her shit.”
“What? And no one went with her?”
“Umm bro that was your job if you hadn’t been fucking around with Ashley.”
“I wasn’t fucking.”
“Whatever, you weren’t with Michelle, and Cyn got the impression she was pissed.”
“I know she was. But why didn’t Cyn go with her?”
“We were a little busy at the time.”
“Fuck.” Dragging my hands through my hair I was pissed and worried. She shouldn’t have gone alone until we knew who was behind the drugging. I had a pretty good idea the stalker was Ashley, that’s if there was only one. “Do you know what time she left?”
“Hold on Cyn’s checking her phone.”
Why didn’t she leave a note? Or text me, or call me, or anything? She shouldn’t have gone by herself. I didn’t even know the address of the school. It was called Crane something…shit, how was I going to find her?
“It was almost an hour ago, bro.”
“Fuck, she should be back then. Do know the address?”
“Cyn says it’s Crane Park Elementary. It’s somewhere on the Upper East Side.”
“Great. I’m going to get her.”
“Do you want us to come with you?”
“Nah. I should be able to handle it. Besides if she’s going to tear me a new one I’d rather no one else see it.”
“No shit. Good luck. Call us if you need help.”
Jamming the phone back in my pocket, I took the elevator to the lobby and grabbed a cab to the school.
With any luck she’d already be on her way back to the hotel and I’d miss her.
But with no reply to my text I had a bad feeling about this.
Thinking about something happening to her because I was with the twat was a kick to the stomach. Fuck me running.
Michelle…
Fucking great. Now I’m toast. “Mrs. Pincher, I was just picking up my stuff. Then I was going to stop by your office and return my keys.”
“I’m sure you were. Bob what are you doing in here? I told you to stay away from this slut.”
“I just wanted to help her, Mother.”
Wait, what? Mother? So much made sense then. It was his cologne I smelled but it had been mixed with something else—her old lady smell.
“Shut up you fool. You know better.”
“But you fired her. She’s leaving.”
Looking more bitch-like than ever, Mrs. Pincher stepped in to the class room and shut the door, and then pulled the blinds down. What the hell? I was just picking up my shit, did she really need to give me more grief? Couldn’t I just get out and be done with it?
“You’re right. It doesn’t matter now but it would have been easier if you weren’t here.”
“But mother…”
She’d pulled a gun out of her pocket and damn if she didn’t look comfortable with it. Who was this woman? “Be quiet, Bob. Our way of life is more important than this whore’s. She could have ruined everything.”
“But I want her, Mother. Why can’t I just keep her?”
“My darling boy, I’ve explained.” Turning to me, she cocked the gun. “Get over there.” She motioned with her other hand. I didn’t know who was crazier, her or her son. How the hell had they kept it quiet for so many years.
“What the hell. You fired me isn’t it enough?” I needed to get out of there now. Could I make it to the window and jump out? Thank God my classroom was on the first floor. Maybe she was just trying to scare me? She wouldn’t really shoot would she?
“No not at all. You’ve been corrupting my son, making him love you. All these years I’ve protected him from sluts like you. If I’d realized how you were you’d never been hired. I take care to make sure everyone is perfect here.”
“Stepford teachers?”
“Something like that. The families pay a lot to send their children to this school, nothing is going to taint its reputation. I spent too many years building it.”
“Mother, you can’t hurt her I won’t let you.”
“Be still. You’re turning more into your deadbeat father every day. This is her fault. If she hadn’t come in to your life you’d still be my precious innocent son.”
“I never touched Bob. Never.”
“You didn’t have to. Your slut ways contaminate everything you’re near.
I’d hoped all the regulations would make you quit.
If you’d been smart you wouldn’t have come back this year.
That was your first mistake. Talking to my son was your second.
But there won’t be a third. I’m going to make sure of that. ”
“You won’t get away with this. My boyfriend is on the way, he texted me, he should be here any minute.”
“He’ll be too late. I bolted the front door. He won’t be able to get in.”
Insane. Totally. She probably has been for years.
Why didn’t any of us notice it before? How could all the teachers miss so many signs?
“He’ll find a way. You can’t do this. What about your precious school?
If you kill me you’ll lose everything.” I needed to get out of here now, before she used the gun.
“Don’t be stupid. Your body will never be discovered and if it is they’ll figure it was your druggy boyfriend who did it.”
She had a point. It would be difficult for anyone to believe this old woman was capable of murder, but I was about to find out.
“No, Mother. I know you don’t like her. I promise I’ll be good. Please don’t hurt her.”
I had to give Bob credit for standing up to her, it didn’t look like it happened too often. I almost smiled my thanks but realized it would just flame the fire.
“Be quiet. You know better than to disobey me.” Before my eyes Bob shrank about three inches.
She’d probably been terrorizing him his entire life.
Poor guy. Still if it had to be him or me I’d rather it be him.
Did that make me horrible? Maybe, but I wasn’t ready to die.
I’d finally opened my heart to love again and I wanted to see where it took me.