“Yes, ma’am.”
She tilts her head over to a man standing at the classroom doorway.
“Please take your bag with you. Read chapters four through seven tonight. There’ll be a quiz on it tomorrow.”
Several groans fill the classroom as I re-pack my bag and stand up.
Am I in trouble? Oh, crap. Someone must have reported me for punching JD yesterday and that must be why I’m being suddenly summoned to the front office.
As I slowly approach the suit-and-tie wearing man, his gaze gives me a disapproving perusal which makes me hold my head up higher.
I know how I look. Long honey-blonde hair I cut myself because going to a hairdresser would be a waste of what little money I have. Blue jeans with worn holes in the knees. Plain blue T-shirt. Scuffed Chucks with missing shoelaces. It’s not like I can buy expensive clothes or wear the trendiest shoes. At least my clothes are clean, and I take very good care of them since I know they have to last me for a while.
I walk behind the man as we make our way to the front office, and I feel relieved that the halls are clear of students. The fancy-suit-wearing guy hasn’t said a word to me, so I still don’t know if my assumption about why I have to report to the main office is correct or not.
As we get closer, I notice a casually dressed man with dark blond hair standing outside of the front offices. If I had to guess, he looks to be in his mid-to-late twenties. However, it’s his eyes that make my heart begin to pound in my chest. They are a unique color of vibrant blue that matches my own.
Principal Stubbs is standing next to the man, and she gives me a smile before walking back into the main office, leaving me by myself in the hallway with a complete stranger.
“Aurora St. Claire,” the man cautiously greets me as I stop four feet from him, trying to decide the easiest way to escape if I need to. My best bet will be through the school’s front doors twenty feet ahead of me. Either that or turn around and run down the hallway toward the cafeteria. There’s a side exit door in the back that leads out to the student parking lot.
My gaze flits back to the man again and my stomach curdles with uneasiness as he quietly studies me, his startling blue eyes holding me captive and keeping my feet cemented to the floor.
I cock my head at him, and he gives me a tremulous grin.
Clearing my throat, I say, “You seem to know my name but forgive me when I say, I don’t know whoyouare.”
“Trevor Montgomery,” he plainly states.
His name isn’t familiar. “Never heard of you.”
The polite grin on his face stretches like he’s trying hard not to laugh at my sass.
What does he want with me and why is he here? Perhaps I should dial it down with the attitude. He and his nicely dressed companion could be recruiters or representatives from Duke, and I probably just blew my chance at the scholarship I’ve been waiting to hear back about with my big, snarky mouth.
“Mr. Montgomery, is there something I may help you with?” I ask more respectfully.
For the first time since I laid eyes on him, he looks unsure of himself. He takes one hand and rakes it through his glossy hair, bright blue eyes locked on me.
He opens his mouth like he’s about to say something, then closes it. I wait him out.
“I really don’t know how to say this, Aurora. I guess giving you the short, blunt answer would be best…I’m your brother,” he tells me, like what he just said hasn’t instantaneously blown my world apart.
My mouth drops open.What the hell? I look from him to the front doors, then back.My brother?Respect be damned. The only thing I can think to say in response is, “Then where the fuck have you been my entire life?”
Chapter 3
Abrother. I have a brother. This guy is saying that he’s my brother.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s a shock and you’re probably thinking I am some crazy person, but I promise everything will make sense once I have a chance to explain it better.”
I’m amazed that I’m still standing upright after his sudden proclamation.
“Alright,” I slowly say, skeptical as all hell, my eyes narrowing on him.
Trevor takes out a business card and hands it to me. Sure enough, the name on the card says Trevor Montgomery. My sluggish brain finally clicks back into gear when I see the company logo: Montgomery Pharmaceutical.Holy shit. Montgomery Pharma is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world. Their main headquarters are in Research Triangle Park about thirty-five minutes from Highland, and over half the people that live in this town are employed by them. How did I miss the connection when Trevor told me his last name?
“I wrote my personal cell number on the back. When you’re ready to hear what I have to say, you can reach me at that number or the one listed for my office. Day or night.”
