Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
GRIFF
P utting my foot in the stirrup, I shifted my weight and waited for the horse to buck, but it didn’t move. Throwing my leg over the back of the animal, I settled in the saddle and waited again. Gently I tapped the horse’s sides and held my breath it walked around the pen.
This was going to be easy, and just as I relaxed the horse bucked. I needed to ride it out, but it shifted right when I predicted left, and I was on the ground this time. I didn’t try to brace myself as I fell. Protecting my shoulder was the most important thing I needed to do right now. I was pretty sure Elle would kill me if I ended up at the hospital while she was on shift.
I couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of what she would say when I rolled in. She’d turn the stretcher around and push me right back out, I’m sure. Glancing at the majestic black horse, he was huffing and prancing like he was the conquering hero. Shaking my head, as my cell phone buzzed in my pocket, and I reached up and pulled it out. Frowning, I saw a text from Parker.
Parker: Griff could you come to the school moms working dads gone and I need someone
Me: I’ll be right there.
Parker: Thanks
Me: Anything for you pal.
Tossing my gloves on to the pile of saddle blankets I ran out to the truck when my phone buzzed again. Brushing the dirt off my shoulder, I probably should have taken the time to change but I didn’t want to keep him waiting.
Parker: Stop using punctuation when you text
Me: Never!!!!!!!
I couldn’t help the grin on my face, even though there was a nagging about why he needed someone at school. Hitting the call button on the steering wheel, “call Ryder.” I said peeling out of the yard. The guys would come back and find me gone and I didn’t need the crazy coming out in all of them.
“Hey.”
“Parker called he needs someone to come to the school so I’m on my way.”
“You know what’s going on?”
“No, all I know is that Elle’s working and his dad’s gone so he needs someone.”
“Let us know if you need backup.”
“Will do.” The line went dead and the radio came back on. I wished the school was closer as I stepped on the gas pedal, and the truck thundered down the gravel road, leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.
The truck lurched as I shifted into park before the tires had stopped rolling. Jumping out, I slammed the door and marched into the school. Parker was a good kid, and he wouldn’t call me if everything was fine.
“Mr. Harp, may I help you?” Kendra Hawks smiled up at me from her desk. I’d gone out with her once, and she’d promptly started planning our wedding and deciding how many kids we’d have. She might have even started plans for our home, too. I had to let her down easy and the hearts in her eyes as she gazed up at me made me think she still planned on getting all her wishes.
“Where’s Parker Greggory?” My words firm, and the slight frown on her face was better than the love and devotion.
“He’s in the office, I’m not sure…” I cut her off when I turned and walked back into the principal’s office.
As I opened the door, my eyes fell on Parker first, slumped in the chair he was in, his head resting on his palm. He looked up at me, and I saw a red outline around his eyes and fear within them. Clenching my jaw, it took everything in me not to pull that man sitting across from him over his desk and start wailing on him.
“Mr. Harp, this is a surprise. How can I help you?”
“I’m here because Parker asked me to be.” Fumbling through the sign language, I needed to slow down but seeing him looking so small and lost made my blood boil.
The man never rose from his seat but waved his hands at me. “Oh, this is a family matter.”
“He and his mother are living in my home, so that makes him my family.” I watch Parker sit a little straighter. “Now, what seems to be the problem?” I sat next to the boy I just said was my family, and I put my arm across the back of his chair. It wasn’t good for signing, but he needed to know I’d support him. I’d fight for him.
“There was an altercation today between Parker and another student. They got into a fight.”
“ NO ,” Parker said, snapping his fingers together repeatedly as he turned to look at me and that’s when I noticed his implant dangling. His hands flew, and I knew I was missing words.
“ Parker, slow down .” I said, and signed. “ Did you get into a fight?”
He made a fist with his hand and motioned yes.
“Okay, why?”
“I will tell you, Mr. Harp.” I was ready to snap this pencil-necked man’s head off if he interrupted me one more time.
“No, I want to hear this from Parker,” I said, turning to the principal, glaring at him, then looking back at Parker.
“Bobby Warner told me mom was a whore because we’d moved in with you, and she was just looking for money. So, I told him that’s not how it was, and he kept saying it. I told him to fuck off. Well, I guess he didn’t like that, and that’s when we fought.” He slowly got his explanation out.
“What happened here?” I pointed at his implant.
“Bobby ripped it out.”
“So you’re blaming this all on my boy?” I signed the words as I spoke so Parker would know what I was saying. "What’s going on with Bobby?”
“All the witnesses said it was Parker who initiated the fight.” He flipped through papers on his desk, and if I’d reached over and grabbed them I would bet the ranch that none of them, had anything to do with the topic at hand.
Side-eyeing Parker, tears brimmed his eyes again, and, rage unlike anything I’d ever known before, flowed through my veins. “You have security cameras in the outside area, correct?”
“Yes, we do,” he replied smugly.
“Pull it up.”
“Oh, that will take orders from the school board, and then the security company would have to search. It will take days.” He leaned back in his tall chair and smirked. The fucker smirked at me. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my cell phone.
“Everything okay?” Ryder asked.
“No, can you hack the security footage from the school?” I stared at the principal and watched his face blanch.
“Yeah, hang on, I just need to head to the house.” I listened to Ryder’s heavy footsteps across the gravel and then up the porch steps, and the door to the office slammed. “It’ll just take me a minute.”
“He’s working on it.” I signed and said as I turned to look at Parker.
“That little shit,” Ryder grumbled over the phone. I couldn’t help but smile. He had hacked the cameras and was watching what happened. My email chimed at the same time the principal’s computer dinged with an incoming email.
“Thanks, man, I owe ya.”
“You don’t, anything for Parker. Good luck.” The line went dead.
Hanging up I tucked my phone back in my pocket. “I think the footage you’re looking for will be in your inbox.” I didn’t need to look at the footage to know what was on it.
“Well, that is an interesting turn of events.” The frown on Mr. Gully’s face made me wonder if he was hoping to pin this on Parker.
“I believe an apology is in order.” My voice was flat.
“I’m sorry for pulling you down here, Griff,” He said, standing holding his hand out.
“Not to me, you fucking dumb ass, to Parker.”
He nodded and looked over at Parker. “I’m, sorry Parker,” he stumbled over his words. Words that should be simple appeared very difficult for this man.
“Sign it. He can’t hear you without his implant in.” My teeth were gritted, and I was ready to smack this ass hole around.
He fumbled through an apology, and I signed for Parker to stand. “He’s leaving for the remainder of the day, and it won’t be reflected in his attendance.”
“I can’t let him leave with you.”
“He’s leaving with me. I’ll have my name added to his approved list since I’m now his other guardian. Bobby Warner will be appropriately dealt with, I trust?” I stared the man down and he nodded. “Next time you haul any kid to this office, make sure you have all the facts. And if I have to come back here, you better pray I don’t bring the other four with me.” We had a reputation that we’d earned, and while we didn’t like people to think of us in that manner anymore, I wasn’t opposed to tossing it out when one of our family was involved.
I opened the door and let Parker walk out ahead of me. He raised his hands to sign, and I shook my head. Wait until we get outside. I signed to him.
Parker got in the truck, and slamming our doors at the same time. What am I going to do about this? He signed and pointed at his broken implant.
We have to go to see your mom.
No, she’s going to freak out. She won’t have the money for a new one.
She might not, but I do, and I will buy you a hundred of them if that’s what you need. I signed, and I watched the boy relax as he grabbed his seat belt.
Griff, thanks.
Like I said, anything for you. Maybe we should pick your mom up a latte and doughnut to smooth things over?
Could we wait until she gets off work?
You think she’ll be happy if she hears this from someone else? I get it it’s never easy having to tell your mom you’ve been in a fight - the look of disappointment and then the lecture. I didn’t envy the position he was in.
No. Parker hung his head as he shook it.
Right, so let’s go get her treats. A lot, maybe.
A truck pulled up and blocked me from getting out of the parking spot. “Who the fuck do you think you are dealing with my son and pulling him out of school?” An irate man stood at my window.
Dad, I thought you were gone? Parker’s hands flew.
I got back last night. What’s going on? The nurse said you were in a fight.
It’s nothing, Griff dealt with it.
Yeah, well I’m your Dad I’m the one that deals with things.
You didn’t tell me you were home, and you’re never home. Parker let his hands fall into his lap. Troy took a step back like he’d been slapped by what Parker said.
“Look, we didn’t know you were back. I’m not trying to step on anyone’s toes. Just wanted to get this all sorted out.” I signed and spoke, so I didn’t leave Parker out.
“Get out of the truck,” Troy said without signing.
No, Dad, I’m going to see Mom. I had to admire the boy for standing his ground. It would be easy enough to want to do what his father wanted but he needed to be the one to talk to Elle.
Parker, let’s go.
No. Parker snapped his fingers together.
“Who the fuck are you anyway?” Troy asked me.
“Elle’s working for me, and I’ve given her and Parker a place to stay since their place was sold.” The man’s face blacked when I mentioned the Hays place selling. It was an interesting turn of events that I needed to look into.
“No, she’s working for an old man, rehabbing his shoulder.”
“Well, I take offense at the old man part, but the rest of it’s true.” I frowned. This was getting slightly irritating.
The man’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he took it out and read what was on it. Looking up past Parker and me, he suddenly changed his mind. “Fine, go see your mom. We’ll talk about this later,” He said and signed before he climbed back into his truck and drove away. Looking over, I saw the school nurse in the window of the office.
Ready? I asked, and Parker just nodded.