“I’moneyear younger than you,” I remind him, but he just chuckles.
“Still younger.”
I glance up and find Ryker watching us, his jaw clenched.
“What’s wrong?” I ask him.
He shakes his head. “Do you want another sandwich?”
“Nah, I’m full. Thanks, though. What can I do next? I need to leave in an hour or so to get Aiden from school. Are we cleaning out Ray’s office? Their bedroom?”
We all frown at each other.
“No,” Gid says, shaking his head.
“Agreed,” Ry adds. “We’ll shut those doors and leave them be for now. It’s too soon.”
I slump in relief. “I’m on the same page. But, Ry, you’re going to need an office.”
“I’ve already commandeered another guest room to convert. It’s all good.”
“I’ll work on another room, then,” I begin as I hop off my stool, but my phone starts to ring, and I scowl when I see it’s the school.
Damn it.
What now?
“Hello?” I don’t bother to leave the room. There’s no point.
“Hey, Willow, this is Ms. Hileman at the high school.”
“Hi there. What’s up?”
Ryker and Gideon are watching me, not even pretending not to eavesdrop.
“I have Aiden in my office,” the principal says with a sigh, and my stomach drops. “Are you able to come in for a meeting?”
“I’m about an hour away,” I reply and rub my fingertips over my forehead. “But I can head that way, sure. Is he sick? Hurt?”
“No, he’s not hurt. But he’s in trouble, Willow.”
I close my eyes and lean against the counter. “What did he do now?”
“Christ,” Ryker whispers, and I do my best to ignore him.
“I think it’s best if you come in, and we can all talk this out.”
“I’d like to speak with him, please.”
There’s a pause. “Oh, well, you can speak with him—”
“Yes, I can speak with himnow.” I hear the ice in my voice, and I don’t give a shit. This is my kid we’re talking about.
“Speaker,” Gid says next to me, and I do as he says, setting my phone on the counter.
“One moment.”
“Wait. Why can’t you hand him the phone? I thought he was in your office.”
