JD lifts my chin up higher with his finger. “You are the only girl I see, Aurora. I’m not going to let MB or anyone else spoil what we’re building here. You’re worth it to me. Question is: Am I worth it to you?”
I don’t even hesitate. “Yes, Jackson. You’re worth it to me.”
He cradles my face between his hands and bends down to kiss me softly.
Mrs. Johnson, the school receptionist who is like seventy years old, clears her throat. “Just wanted to remind you two that you have an audience.”
“Yes, ma’am,” JD replies, not the least bit guilty we were caught almost making out in front of the school staff. He brings me to his side, and I lean on him. And we wait.
“Where’s Mary Beth?” I ask, wondering if she’s getting the same lecture I got, and the same punishment.
“Last I saw, she was sent to the nurse’s office and had a cold compress on her face.”
I know I shouldn’t smile at that, but I can’t help myself.
Fallon and Trevor come out of Principal Stubbs’s office and Fallon gives me a chin jerk to follow. JD lifts my bag to his shoulder and takes my hand. We walk outside as a group and stop on the sidewalk.
Fallon pops a stick of gum in his mouth. “Do you know how much I hate coming back to this fucking school?” He runs his hand through his hair and spears me with his light blue gaze.
I’m about to tell him and Trevor that I appreciate them for coming, but I’m eighteen. I can take care of myself. Before I can, Fallon says, “You should get back to class.”
“But I thought I was suspended.”
Trevor gives me a hug and fist bumps JD. “I’ve got to get back to the office. Trust Fallon,” he tells me and walks off.
I turn to face Fallon. “She said I have two days of suspension. Right?”
Instead of answering my question, Fallon asks, “Are you working tonight?”
I stand there like a dumbass because I’m having trouble making sense of the conversation.
“Uh, no. I don’t work on Thursdays.”
“Good. I’ll see you at home later. Now get back to class.”
“Fallon, I don’t understand. Am I suspended or not?”
“You’re a fucking Montgomery,” he states like it’s an obvious answer.
JD seems to understand fine. “I’ll walk you to class, sunshine,” he says with a wide grin on his face.
Again, this is me standing there like a confused dumbass.
“You’re not suspended, Aurora,” JD says.
Thank God. Someone who speaks English.
“How? She said it was compulsory.”
Fallon looks at me with exasperation. “Like I said, you’re a Montgomery now.”
“What about Mary Beth?”
“What about her?”
I pop my fists on my hips. “Why do you always have to be so flippin’ hard to talk to? If I’m not suspended, isn’t Mary Beth and her family going to throw a shit fit about that if she is?”
“They won’t if they know what’s good for them. Now, will you kindly get your ass to class so I can leave?” Fallon doesn’t wait and walks over to his Aston Martin.
