“He’s holding back.”
Frowning, I sat down across from her. “What do you mean?”
She turned the paper and showed it to me. “Once he buckled down and started working, he got them all right. I think he’s refusing to try for some reason. Either turmoil at home or low self esteem. Something is making him not want to put in the effort.”
I sighed heavily. “It wouldn’t surprise me if I was the problem. He can’t stand me. He’d probably get bad grades just to make me look bad for the social worker.”
Chocolate brown eyes lifted to study me. “How much do you know about teenagers?”
I shrugged. “Not much. Haven’t spent much time around the kids since I was a kid myself. It’s not like teens wander off the streets asking to join our club. Prez wouldn’t allow it even if they did.”
She huffed a laugh, sitting back in her chair. “That’s good. Can’t say I know much about your club, but I’d hope they wouldn’t allow children to join.”
Shaking my head, I said, “Nah. There are plenty of kids connected to the club now, there’s been a serious baby boomlately, but they aren’t proper club members. I know Xander wants to join when he’s older but Wraith said not before he graduates at the earliest. I assume Prez would say the same thing.”
I never asked, but figured I knew my crew well enough to know our limits.
“Do you plan on following through with your threat?” she queried.
Pursing my lips, I raised my eyebrows at her. “Think it’d work?”
She twisted her mouth to hide her smile, her expression wry. “Well, it’d certainly keep him from starting fights, I’m sure. Most parents would threaten to take away electronics or the like. Your punishment is… unique.”
“I’m not going to take away his phone,” I said, crossing my arms on the table and leaning forward, thinking out loud. “Pretty sure he gets anxious when he doesn’t know where his sister is. The phone makes him feel better because he knows I’ll send him updates if he asks. After what happened to his family, I can’t blame him for being anxious.”
“What did happen, if you don’t mind me asking. I wasn’t given much information when he joined my class.”
It didn’t really feel like my place to share the story, but I figured she needed to at least know the basics. I couldn’t be with him all the time. If there was at least one adult at the school who understood him, it might help.
“His moms died in an accident. He and his sister were shuffled around for a while before landing with me. He’s got feelings about it, but hasn’t been willing to share them with me. I’m hoping therapy will help.” For the both of us, honestly. I constantly felt out of my depth and like I was just screwing them up further. If the therapist could give me a list of what to do in this situation, I’d follow it to a T.
A warm hand settled on top of mine and when I looked up, Simone had a real smile on her face. Something soft and understanding and so damn gorgeous it took my breath away. “I’m sure it’ll help. And maybe follow through on your threat if he needs it. You’re offering him presence, not punishment, and that will go a long way in helping him feel more secure.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
SIMONE
“Mr. Ruiz. Can I see you for a moment?”
Xander’s head popped up from the book he’d been looking at. It was a rule in my classroom that if you finished your test early, you had to find something quiet to do while the rest of the students finished. Phones didn’t count, and would be confiscated, so most students read a book or doodled to pass the time. Pushing out of his seat, he shuffled past the lines of desk, snickering as one of his friends tried to trip him. I shot the boy a look and he quickly gave his attention back to his test. I was known to be a little strict and none of the students wanted my attention solely on them if they could help it.
“Yeah?” Xander asked in a hushed tone as he stopped on the opposite side of my desk.
Sliding his test back to him, I raised an eyebrow. “You’ve improved a lot. Have you been studying with your brother?”
He looked down at his test, then beamed at me. “Nah, Mattias sucks at math. Prez has been helping me with math. Mel helps me with science.”
I nodded slowly. When he first arrived, Xander had been through a difficult time in his home life and was struggling to catch up with the coursework he’d missed while living in an abusive household. He joined my study group closer to testing times, but he’d been improving on his own lately. I was glad he had adults in his life supporting him now.
“Well, keep doing what you’re doing. And maybe get Mr. Michaels to study with you from time to time. Perhaps a motorcycle crew would get through to him more than I have.”
Xander snickered, heading back to his desk with his chin lifted proudly and a smile on his face. I felt a smile tug at my lips. When he first arrived, covering his bruises with makeup and hiding under too large hoodies, I’d been worried for him. He was thriving now, thanks to his brother’s influence. And the influence of the motorcycle club, apparently. He’d put weight on, his hair had grown out, and he no longer looked moments from running out the door. Maybe I needed to mention that to Zero. The crew had a positive influence on Xander. They might be able to help with Jasper as well.
My gaze flicked to the troubled boy automatically. Considering his hunched position and the way he was staring at his lap, I assumed he was looking at his phone. And while Zero might not be willing to take it, I couldn’t allow him to have it in class. He tucked it away when I stood, but I put my hand out anyway, giving him a long look until he gave in and slapped the device into my palm.
“You can have this back after class. Have you finished your test?”
He glanced at the test, then back at me, eyes narrowing slightly. “I wasn’t cheating.”
