Page 61 of Freefall

“There was what?” I ask in a high-pitched voice despite my best efforts to remain calm.

“A small incident on the playground before the bell.”

I wait for her to finish, but she doesn’t continue. My pulse pounds in my ears. “Ms. Dawson.”

“I’m sorry,” she says quickly. “Daisy pushed another student. He’s fine, but the yard supervisor brought her to the office, and she’s speaking with Mr. Bennett now. Since you just dropped her off, we were hoping you might be able to come in.”

“I’m on my way,” I say, hanging up before she can say anything else.

“What happened?” Nate asks.

“Nothing.” I shove my phone back in my purse. “I need to go.”

“Harper.” His hand closes around my wrist, forcing me to stop. “You want whatever this is between us to end? Fine. But don’t shut me out when it comes to my kid.”

“Okay.” I run my hand across my forehead. “She pushed another student on the playground.”

His grip loosens immediately. “Is she okay?”

“Yes, but…”

“She’s in the principal’s office,” he finishes for me.

I nod.

“I’m coming with you,” he says, like there’s no point in arguing.

So I don’t.

Mr. Bennett isn’t what I expected. He’s fairly young, maybe only a few years older than me, and I’m starting to wonder if this school has some sort of age limit for working here. His medium-brown hair is cropped short with so much gel that it looks like it was made from a mold, and he’s wearing a navy quarter-zip draped over a crisp white button-down. He looks like he stepped straight off the yacht to come chat with us.

He flashes a Colgate smile at us as soon as we walk in. “Mr. and Mrs. Daniels. Thank you for coming in on such short notice.”

He walks around his desk, hand already extended, a clunky fraternity ring fitted snugly on his finger.

I take it first. “Harper,” I say. “This is Nate. He’s a family friend.”

“Nice to meet you, Nate,” he says, offering him his hand next. Nate stares at it for a beat before giving it the briefest shake imaginable.

“I appreciate you both taking the time to come in.” Mr. Bennet looks directly at Nate. “I’ve asked Daisy to wait outside while we speak. As you may have heard, there was an incident on the playground this morning.”

I wait for him to turn his attention to me, but he keeps his eyes on Nate. “Daisy shoved another student before the first bell. Now, obviously, I don’t need to tell you that we have a zero toler⁠—”

“What happened before that?” Nate interrupts.

Mr. Bennet does a slow blink. “I’m sorry?”

“Tell me about the part before she pushed him. What happened?”

“Oh.” He waves a dismissive hand. “Supposedly some words were exchanged.”

“What kind of words?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer me. Instead, his eyes slide back to Nate. “You know how boys can be.”

“No, I don’t,” Nate snaps. “Daisy’s mother asked you a question, so I suggest you look at her when you answer it.”

Mr. Bennett’s smile tightens. Then, as though remembering he forgot to tie his shoe, he turns to me. “My apologies, Harper. The other student made some unkind comments.”

“Like what?”