11. Nell
CHAPTER 11
Nell
A cop.
Law is a cop.
If that isn’t some legitimate irony right there, I don’t know what is. It’s been hours since I witnessed him pull Mr. Richards and Dallas from class, and I’ve had all that time to process what I experienced the other day and how that affects the happenings of today.
A cop. I can’t believe it.
Except I can.
I knew there was something different about this man . The way he answered my father’s questions when they met. He was evasive but resolute in how he was going to proceed with his life, and now, I understand why.
He’s set in his career.
He’s older than I was led to believe.
And he knows what he wants in his life.
Maybe I’m not just some passing fancy for him. Maybe we are more than I allowed him to give voice to. Even though I suffered the hurt from what I thought was a betrayal, I realize I can’t, and won’t, push him away anymore.
With the hopes that he’ll want to explain everything that’s happened and what we are to each other, I watch the clock in every class for the rest of the day. Needing the time to pass by faster. Rumors fly around the school, and Mr. Daily refuses to comment on anything other than there was an incident today that has made our school a safer learning establishment.
As soon as the final bell rings, I rush from my social studies class towards my locker to drop my books off for the long weekend. Of course, now that I’m in a hurry and have anticipation flowing through my veins, I would have an encounter with Becky, whom I haven’t been bothered by for weeks.
I’m almost out the doors when she grips my hair. “Narc,” her voice hisses in my ear. At the same height, I can feel her heart beating into my back. “Rats aren’t welcome here.” Her cheer friends surround me as well as a couple of Dallas’ friends, all angry over what happened today.
“I had nothing to do with today,” I try to explain.
“Your boyfriend sure did. He makes a claim that you’re his and untouchable, and a couple of days later he shows up with a badge and his pig backup while Dallas and Trent are taken away.” The way she says Mr. Richards name so intimately makes me wonder how well she knows the man.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I try to pull from her tight hold, but my hair is yanked back, and I’m left off balance and falling to the ground as they circle closer to me. Becky and her friends I can handle; Dallas’ football crew is another story. They could do some severe damage to me. There’s no way I’ll walk away from them.
On my knees in front of at least eight other people, I won’t beg for them to back off. I have to fight back.
One guy mutters something I don’t hear and walks away just as another kicks me from behind, forcing me to fall to my hands. More taunting words, harsher kicks, bruises I’ll have for weeks, and finally, someone intervenes.
“Hey!” Mr. Daily’s booming voice has everyone backing off. “What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” Nobody looks at him, they all have their heads down low.
Kneeling in front of me, anger alights in his eyes as he notices the boot prints, scuff marks, and likely visible bruising in some spots.
“Nell?” He offers a hand, and as we stand, my knee buckles under my weight. “Whoa there, I’ve got you.” His arms wrap around my waist to hold me up as he glares at everyone around me. “Warn your parents, I’ll be in touch about charges against each of you. You’re damn near adults, there is no reason to act in such a juvenile manner.”
I can hear them talking about us behind our backs as he helps me to his office where he sits me down in one of the chairs. This wasn’t how I had planned the rest of the day going. I’m pissed I didn’t just go home. I should have thought about backlash from Dallas’ friends.
“Can I call your father for you?” Mr. Daily asks, and I shake my head. “How about Law?” I look at him with shock. “I’ve known Law a long time. He didn’t keep you from me.”
“I see.” I don’t know what else to say. “No, don’t call him. I’ll be fine.”
“What about that knee of yours?”
“It’s fine, just stiff. Maybe bruised.” I smile to keep him from worrying.
“Can I, at least, give you a ride home?” I’m about to say no until I think back on Becky and them finding me away from the school, so I nod my head in the affirmative instead.
After grabbing his bags and helping me to his car, the short ride to my house is filled with silence until we pull into the driveway.
“He didn’t like the idea of hurting you, you know.” I don’t have to ask who he’s talking about. “Law was against being the one to go in that classroom today. He wanted to tell you himself who he was, why he couldn’t fill you in sooner.”
The hurt swells, and I have to push it back down. “I understand.” I do, sort of.
“I asked him to come here. Normally, Law doesn’t get into schools until the problem has become widely spread.”
That surprises me. “He’s done this before?” Mr. Daily nods his head and gazes out the window. “Does he…” How the heck do I ask this?
“Does he get involved with other girls?” I swallow at his bluntness. “No, you’re the first and the last. Law doesn’t do anything without thoroughly thinking it through, and only then does he go after what he wants. He hadn’t planned on pursuing you until this case was wrapped up.”
I feel slightly better. “Thanks for the ride, Mr. Daily.”
“Jack. Call me Jack, Nell. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing more of you outside of school than inside in the future.” I smile at him as I exit the car and limp up to the front door in search of ice for my knee.
I have a lot to consider from the last couple days, but if there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that I’m still in love with Law Brentwood, and those feelings aren’t going away anytime soon.