Chapter Thirty-Two
~Bryan’s POV~
“W e don’t have to wait ,” Paxon said.
“And yet, here we are,” I responded, frowning at Paxon. He has been acting weird for a while now and it was beginning to get annoying. “We can wait a few more minutes. It doesn’t hurt anything.”
Seth shoved his phone into his pocket. “Justin just texted me. The team post-meeting wrapped up and he’s taking a quick shower. They already told us to go ahead. We can meet them at the restaurant, that way George doesn’t lose our spot because we took too long and they want the table.”
“Do they do that?” Toby asked.
Seth shrugged. “If they need a table, they might. Especially if we’re late enough.”
“Hm. I am hungry.”
“You’re always hungry,” Paxon joked.
“Can’t help it.” Toby smacked his stomach. “Need to keep this body well-fueled.”
“Right.” Paxon practically rolled his eyes as he lifted his hands to his mouth and blew on it.
“Where are your gloves?” I asked.
“In the car. I didn’t think we’d be standing outside for so long. I was almost afraid Seth was going to be kidnapped by the teachers.”
I snorted and hid my grin from Seth. The poor guy was practically attacked by his old teachers. His fault for being such a teacher’s pet when he was in school. He always had a way with making teachers like him. It was the only reason he didn’t get into as much trouble as he should have when we took over the school’s broadcast system and apologized to Cadence at the beginning of the school year. Since Seth wasn’t a student anymore, he could have been charged for trespassing.
Seth chuckled. “Well, what can I say? Mr. Roth has always loved me. I was his A student.”
Toby laughed. “I don’t think being a top student in math classes is something to be proud of.”
Seth shrugged. “It’s vital for construction work.”
Toby curled his nose in disgust.
“Toby, have you figured out college yet,” I asked to tease him, already knowing the answer.
“Why would you even bring that up?” he whined. “Why?”
“Probably because it’s around the corner.”
He waved his hand. “All I know is that I won’t have anything to do with math. Or science.” He shuddered. “That’s a nightmare I don’t need to deal with for four more years.”
“So English? Music program?” I asked.
“You know, that’s actually not a bad idea. I heard it’s a strong pre-law degree,” Toby said.
We all had the same reaction, looking at Toby with surprise. “You want to be a lawyer?” None of us had ever heard him mention this before. We just figured he go into some music program.
“I mean, it’s an option.” He looked away.
I met Seth’s gaze and he simply shook his head to tell me not to push it.
“Well, that’ll be interesting,” I replied. I glanced at my phone. “How about we head out and they’ll meet us there.”
“That was the original plan anyways,” Paxon said.
I glared at him. “What is your problem?”
He frowned. “There isn’t one. Cadence said she’d meet us there. I don’t know why we’re standing in freezing cold weather for them.”
“Grumpy much?” Toby asked.
Before Paxon could respond, the school blared to life as the fire alarm went off and anyone still lingering in the parking lot all turned to face the building. And then suddenly the parking lot came alive with more people than I realized were still around, including the police officers who were supposed to be keeping an eye on Janice. And some I recognized to be in plain clothes.
“They’re still inside, aren’t they?” Seth said, his face going pale.
My mouth went dry as terror flooded through me. “Fuck.”
All of us moved at once to go inside, but then Roman Davies was stepping in front of us.
“What are you doing here?” Toby asked.
Davies’s expression was tight as he gazed at us. “No one can go back in until we know what’s happening. The firefighters are on their way to see if there’s a fire.”
“Cadence is still inside,” Seth said. “And Janice and Justin.”
Davies’s eyes widened, and he pulled out his phone, continuing to block us. “We’ll handle this,” he said, still not allowing us to go back inside.
Fuck!