Page 89 of Vexatious Queen

“Mr. Sharpe and Patricia,” I whispered.

“What the hell were they doing together,” Ren asked, softly.

“No clue, but I don’t like it.”

Once I was sure the coast was clear, I opened the door.

“Come on, let’s go, we should tell the guys.”

Grabbing her hand, we darted out into the hallway and jogged for the back exit.

My mind spun, going through all the possibilities of what I’d seen. As we stepped out into the night and the cold wind hit me in the face, I realized that regardless of the reason for the meeting, we needed to stay vigilant.

JANUARY 29 – THURSDAY 4:00 PM

Nash

Marching down the freshman hallway felt odd. I was really starting to hate all this nostalgia bullshit that kept creeping up. Wayward had been my home more so than the mansion I’d survived with my father. Every corner told a story, and I could still remember what it was like my first year here, envying the seniors and their hold on the school.

“Man, this brings back memories,” Myles said, voicing my thoughts. “I fucked Shaun’s girlfriend in that classroom,” he said, and I glanced at him.

“I wouldn’t reminisce on that in front of Princess if you like your balls attached.”

“I wasn’t, not like that anyway. Feck, he was so pissed. He knew she was cheatin’ on him, but never figured out it was me before he graduated.”

I stopped walking and turned to Myles.

“Is that seriously your best memory from freshman year?”

He tapped his chin.

“Naw, but stuff like that reminds me of how far I’ve come and how lucky I am.”

That was an interesting way to think of it. Stepping away, I yanked open the door to the classroom Blake was in with his tutees. Their heads shot up from whatever they were working on and stared at us. The whispering was instant.

“You’re early,” Blake said, and then looked at the time. “Correction, I’m late. Okay, all of you get out of here for the night. Make sure you bring your completed project to class next week.”

There was no grumbling or snide comments. They just jumped up and headed for the door.

I crossed my arms, seeing Blake in a new light. He seemed like a whole different person in this role. It really suited him. He was in his element.

“Camden, hold up,” Blake said, as the straggler from the back of the class reached us.

His eyes were guarded, and his posture was ready for a fight. Blake waited for the door to close before turning to him.

“Camden, this is Nash and Myles. Nash, this is who I was telling you about.”

Camden mirrored my position, looking me up and down like he was sizing me up.

“I know who you are. The King of Wayward.”

He made air quotes with his fingers, and I smirked. At one time, I would’ve knocked his teeth out for the disrespect, but like Myles, I’d come a long way.

Instead, I walked over to the desk where I’d sat when I was his age and ran my fingers over the top, staring outside.

“Every school needs one,” I said before looking at Camden. “Otherwise, there is chaos and disorder.”

“Isn’t that Dean Henry’s job?”