Chapter 16
Ms. Adams clears her throat. “What do you mean your cousin is a murderer?”
I laugh. “Not an actual murderer. I mean, he hasn’t been charged or anything, but I have heard rumors. I’m sure you heard them too. About Andrea?”
She nods. “Such a shame. I tell children all the time about the dangers of alcohol, and this is why. Accidents happen.”
“So you don’t believe the rumors. That Braden killed her.”
She sits up straighter. “Of course not. And you shouldn’t either. Braden is a wonderful boy. A good student. A star athlete. It’s pure jealousy that drove people to spread rumors that he was somehow involved.”
“Jealousy?”
“Of course. Everyone wants to be Braden, but since they can’t, they resort to trying to ruin his reputation. It’s sickening, and the school won’t tolerate it. Anyone who tries to spread that rumor again will be punished.” She gives me a look of warning.
“Hey.” I toss my hands up. “I was just saying what I heard.”
“Let’s get back to the question of why you’re here.” She drops the pen and folds her hands, resting them on the desk. “Some of the reasons you mentioned are true. You took physical action against another student last Friday at school.”
“I punched her. It’s okay, you can say it.”
“If I were to take a guess, I’d say that was a result of the other issue you mentioned. Your mother’s death.”
“And if I were to take a guess,” I say, leaning toward her. “I’d say it’s a result of Kristen being a rude, snobby bitch who thinks she can say and do whatever she wants because her dad’s the principal.”
Ms. Adams picks up her pen and scribbles something down.
“Did I get it right?” I ask. “Was that the right answer?”
“There are no right or wrong answers in counseling, Ms. Halliway.”
She finally stopped using that baby-talk tone, but her voice is still annoyingly high.
“Tell me about your home life.”
“Well, aside from living with a potential murderer, which I realize I’m not supposed to talk about because he’s Twisted Pine’s star football player, my other cousin thinks I’m not actually his cousin, but just some girl trying to get money.”
Ms. Adams tilts her head and frowns. “And how does that make you feel?”
“I think it’s kind of funny, to be honest. If I was going to steal money from some rich guy, why would I fly across the country to do it? I could just pick someone in New York.”
“And what about your uncle? Are you getting along with him?”
“I really don’t see him that much. He goes out a lot or stays in his office.”
“The one at the house?”
“You’ve been to the house?”
She shakes her head really fast. “No, I just assumed he had one there. Many people do.”
I think she’s lying. Brock never denied he slept with her, which means he probably did. Maybe she’s even been in his sex room. He likes his women young, at least the ones he uses for sex. Ana can’t be more than twenty-five, and this woman seems to be around the same age.
“How old are you?” I ask.
She half-smiles. “A woman doesn’t reveal her age.”
“Sure they do. My mom had no problem telling people her age. I’d say you’re around twenty-five.”
“Close, but no. I’m older than that. Now let’s get back to your family. What about your father? Have you been in contact with him since your mother’s death?”
“No. He was in rehab, or at least that’s what I was told.”
“You don’t believe he was?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want to talk about my dad.” I get up. “I need to get to class.”
“You can leave when I tell you to,” she says. “Now please, sit down.”
Sighing, I sit back in the uncomfortable chair.
“Are you angry with your father?” she asks. “For not being there for you?”
“Not really. I’m used to it. He wasn’t around when I was growing up.”
“But this is different. Your mother is gone. He’s the only parent you have left.”
“Would you want a parent who’s drunk all the time, or on drugs?”
“Nobody would, but he’s still your father. He hasn’t tried to reach out to you?”
I stop myself before telling her about the call I assume was from my dad.
Why am I telling this woman anything at all?
I planned to sit here, not saying anything, and yet I keep talking.
How did she get me to tell her so much? Maybe she’s a better counselor than Brock thinks.
Still, I need to get out of these sessions, and the only way that’s happening is if I refuse to talk.
“Rumor,” she says. “Has your father tried to reach out to you?”
Getting out my phone, I scroll through my messages.
“Rumor, put the phone away. Phones aren’t allowed during sessions.”
I ignore her and keep scrolling. She comes around the desk and snatches it from me.
“Hey! Give it back!”
“I will when our session is done.”
“I have nothing else to say. I’ve already told you everything.”
“We just started talking.”
“Yeah? And I have nothing else to say. All I can think about is how much I’m missing in class and how long it’ll take me to catch up.”
She stands up. “Fine. Go along to class. We’ll move our sessions to after school. I’ll see you Wednesday at four.”
“Wait!” I jump up from the chair. “I can’t stay after school. Trystan drives me home. He’s not gonna wait around for me.”
“Then what would you propose?”
“That we stop doing this. I don’t need counseling. I was having a bad day Friday. Kristen pissed me off and I hit her. I don’t need counseling to figure out why I did it. And I promise, it won’t happen again.”
Ms. Adams comes over and hands me my phone. “Wednesday at four. See you then.”
“How am I supposed to get home?”
“Ask your uncle to pick you up. I’m sure Mr. Halliway would be more than happy to help you out.” She walks to the door and opens it. “Have a nice day.”
Fuming, I storm out of her office and run right into Principal Edwards.
“You’re in quite a hurry, Ms. Halliway.”
“I’m late to class,” I mutter, going around him.
“Ms. Halliway,” he calls after me.
I turn back. “Yes?”
“I just wanted you to know that Kristen’s nose is going to be fine. The doctor said she just needs to wait for the swelling to go down. Most of it already has. She’s feeling much better now.”
“Great.” I fake a smile. “Can I go now?”
“Of course.” He motions for me to continue down the hall. “Enjoy your day.”
When I walk into class, everyone stares at me. Kristen’s in the first row and gives me one of her fake sweet smiles as I go past her. I’m sure she loves that I’m stuck going to counseling because of her.
The teacher waits until I’m seated before continuing whatever he was saying. I try to catch up, but I’m completely lost. I only missed half the class, but it was enough for me to fall behind.
In my next class, the teacher hands out a pop quiz, and even though I studied for that class, I’m pretty sure I flunked the quiz.
“Hey, bestie,” Peyton says, coming up to my locker before lunch.
“Bestie?” I say with a laugh. “We just met.”
“How was your weekend?” she asks, twirling her hair around her finger.
“Boring. How about yours?”
“I had a date with a financier.”
“A what?” I ask, closing my locker.
“A financier. A man who manages large amounts of money,” she says, like she’s annoyed at having to explain the term.
“Another old guy?”
She smiles. “I prefer to say mature. He works for my father. He’s incredibly handsome. Dark hair flecked with gray. Custom designed suits. And his cologne is amazing.”
“He works for your dad? Isn’t he going to get in trouble for taking you out on a date?”
“We didn’t tell him it was a date. He thinks Marshall was taking me out to teach me how to sail. Daddy knows I’ve always wanted to learn, and Marshall just happens to have a sailboat. Two, actually, but only one is docked here.”
“Did you really go on his sailboat?”
“Yes, and it was so romantic. He had his chef cater dinner, but we didn’t have much time to eat it before . . .” She smiles.
“Ew, gross.” I scrunch up my face. “Don’t tell me any more. You’ll ruin my lunch.”
She follows me to the cafeteria. “You don’t know what you’re missing. Older men have so much more to offer, including a large bank account.”
“Your family is rich. They’ll give you as much money as you want.”
“True, but it’s different when it comes from a man whose begging for your attention.”
Ms. Adams should be calling Peyton into her office. Her obsession with older men isn’t normal. She has some serious issues that would be a much better use of Ms. Adams’ time than talking to me.
In the lunchroom, Peyton heads to the salad line while I go to the hot food line. Dante’s in front of me, getting his usual three plates of food, which today is whole wheat macaroni and cheese with a side of organic broccoli.
“Hey, Dante,” I say, wanting to see if Braden told him and the other football players not to talk to me. So far, they’ve been acting normal around me, but I haven’t talked to any of them yet.
Dante turns around and smiles. “Hey, how’s it going?”
“Good. How about you?”
“My shoulder still hurts from Friday’s game, but other than that I’m good. I didn’t see you at any of the parties last weekend.”
“I had a lot of homework. I stayed home and studied.”
Braden must’ve kept quiet. I thought for sure he’d try to get revenge after I turned him down last night, but maybe he thinks he’ll wait and try to kiss me again. I hope not, but I could totally see Braden doing that. He goes after what he wants and doesn’t give up.
“Hey, Rumor,” the other guys say as I sit down.
Kade smiles at me. “Practice your punches last weekend?”
I smile back. “Yeah. My left hook’s getting really good.”
They all laugh.
“Guys,” Miles says in a hushed tone. “Shut up. She’s coming over here.”
Kristen saunters over, wearing sunglasses and holding a Starbucks cup. She stops at her usual spot. “Boys.” She smiles.
“Hey, Kristen,” Miles says. “You go out for lunch?”
“My mother took me out.” She sighs dramatically. “Unfortunately.”
“She’s still here?” Kade asks. “I thought she’d be gone by now.”