Page 66 of Vexatious Queen

“I’m not going to get into everything that is wrong about that statement because right now it doesn’t matter. I don’t care if it’s four days, four months, or even four years that I’ve known you…my ability to care about what happens to someone doesn’t start and stop based on some arbitrary timeline. I care because I do. It’s really not any more complicated than that.”

“I don’t know why I should believe you,” he said, matter-of-factly, and I had no honest answer for him.

“Trust me, don’t trust me. That is your call. There is nothing I can say to convince you that I’m not playing you. But I hope you’ll choose to go out on a limb and believe that I’m here to help, no matter what.”

Camden was quiet for a long time before he finally looked at me and shrugged.

“Fine. What do you want to know?”

“Let’s start with what that kid’s name is, and why were you fighting?”

“His name is Trent. He got held back a year, so he acts like he fucking owns the place because he’s older.”

“Okay, and why the fight?”

Camden walked toward me and glanced at the door, not like he was looking to run, more like he wanted to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

“Do you swear I can trust you, and you’re not going to narc on any of us?”

Oh shit, I didn’t like where this was going. How did I say yes and keep their confidence, while still getting Dean Henry to help if necessary? That was a bridge to cross later. Right now, I needed to earn Camden’s trust.

“I won’t narc on any of you. But Camden, if this leads to someone getting hurt, you know that I can’t just let that go either.”

He rubbed at his chin like he’d already lived five lifetimes.

“I’ll tell you, but I’m begging you to keep your word.” I nodded. “Sawyer had a problem before she came here, party favors, but she’s been clean since she arrived. She’s been doing great, until fucking Trent noticed her.”

My back stiffened, and my heart thumped a little harder. I could see it all playing out like it was me, because it had been.

“Trent has been targeting past addicts. He fucking badgered her. Said all the fucking nonsense to get her to cave. It’s high-grade, and he’d only sell her the best. Don’t you want to just let loose and forget all the crap in your life? Just relax it’s not big deal, you deserve to have fun. Bullshit.”

Nash never allowed drugs to be sold on school property and squashed those who did. He would want to know about this ASAP. We also needed to find out who was supplying it since this was our area.

“So what happened,” I asked, clearing my throat of the raw, scratchy feeling.

The first thread of an old and all too familiar panic had begun to claw its way up from the pit of my stomach.

“She almost took it…but didn’t. Instead, she came to me crying and gave me the baggie. She told Trent she didn’t want any more and to leave her alone, but the fucker stalked her in here. He claimed that he wasn’t trying to talk her into taking, but I didn’t believe him.”

My breathing was ragged, and I felt sweat running down my spine, but I kept my face neutral.

“Where are the drugs now?”

He reached into his pocket, and I held my hand out. The small, clear pouch landed in my palm, and I closed my fist without looking to see what it was. My whole body trembled as I tried to keep my shit together.

“I’ll dispose of this and have a discussion with Trent. For now, I want you to get out of here and keep your head down. Don’t engage with him and whatever you do, don’t get into another fight.”

“But—”

“No. There is no wiggle room. Let me handle it from here. I promise Trent will never go near Sawyer again.”

“And you’re not going to go to the dean?”

God, I prayed this wasn’t a bad idea, and shook my head.

“No, but…and there is a but to this deal.”

He analyzed me, eyes looking me up and down like I was going to say something shady.