“We own a ski resort.”
“Isn’t it the largest in Norway?” Viktor asked.
“It might be. I don’t know for sure.”
“And forgive me, but your last name sounds so familiar,” Baile said. “Kessler.”
“Kessler Oil.” Viktor was ready to let that roll off his tongue.
“That leaves Ryder. Go on, Ryder. Tell us a little about yourself,” Viktor prompted.
“Okay. I’m Ryder Baker Smith from California. I was my high school’s valedictorian, and I did volunteer work for foster kids. I also love baseball and played football during my senior year.”I was so proud of Ryder for holding his head up and sticking his chest out when he spoke about himself. “Oh! And I won an award for being volunteer of the year for the foster kids.”
I looked at Viktor and dared him to say anything that would reflect poorly on him and the school he represented.
“Volunteer work is priceless. It’s so important and makes a huge difference.” Baile genuinely praised Ryder’s work.
“Yes, and congratulations on being valedictorian,” Louis complimented Ryder. Finn, Levi, and Jack also congratulated him while I stared at Viktor.
“What school did you go to for high school?” Viktor kept his eyes on me and asked, “Was it private school or public school, Ryder?”
“Public school,” he replied.
“Dude, public school in the U.S. is difficult. Schools are so big, and you have to be on top of your game to do well. There’s so much going on aside from academics,” Levi said.
“It’s dangerous too. I went to a private school, and there were only eight other kids in my class with me. I did well, but just with eight other kids,” Finn said.
“How many kids were in your graduating class, Ryder?” Jack asked.
“A little over a thousand.”
“What about your family?” Viktor asked.
I could have strangled him.
“Oh, um. My mom is a caretaker for foster kids, and she works really hard.” My heart pounded wildly in my chest as I put my hand on the back of Ryder’s chair. “My dad also helps with the foster kids, and he works for the water district.”
Nothing in Ryder’s tone would have ever given anyone any indication that they were abusive or that he’d suffered at their hands.
The rest of dinner was surprisingly calm, and the conversation surrounded the upcoming week of class.
“I’m going to go get a drink from the bar. Please excuse me, gentlemen,” Viktor said.
“I’ll join you,” I said as I stood. I rounded the table and walked beside him.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit immature to be dick measuring tonight?” I asked sarcastically as we reached the bar. Viktor laughed as he leaned on the bar, keeping his gaze focused on the distance.
He finally made eye contact with me. He shook his head and arrogantly said, “I would have regretted coming out of mentoring retirement if I’d known I’d be assigned to mentoring trash.” Viktor looked at the bartender when he approached and said, “Whiskey, please.”
The bartender looked at me.
“The same,” I replied. “He’s not trash,” I said to Viktor.
“He’s going to taint your record, Christos. You had a perfect record of turning out exceptional Omnias who were always selected first. Such a pity you’ll be known for attempting to teach garbage how to behave around people he’s so far beneath.”
“He can behave just fine and is beneath no one.”
“He’ll struggle to be half as good as those he walks amongst.”
