27. Rhys

Theschoolofficeis bustling with building tradies as they work to put the office back together in the aftermath of Marcus’ tantrum last week. Meanwhile, the office ladies try to do their work on the other side of the room, and upon seeing me, one rises from her chair, calling out to stop me from entering the principal’s office. But yeah… I still don’t care, so I ignore her.

I push the door open with force, and it ricochets off the wall in a bang, causing my mum to jump where she sits in her chair at her desk, the phone clutched in her hand as she frowns furiously at me.

Ignoring her, I close the door, drop my books on her coffee table and toss myself on the couch, laying down and putting my feet up on the arm at the end. It’s not a very long couch. It’s also not very fucking comfy.

“Donald, is there any way we can change the board’s mind? Expulsion is extreme.”

My ears prick up at my mum’s words.

“I’ve spoken with him and his parents. He’s so upset about what he did. It was totally out of character for him, so much so that his parents are taking him to a therapist.” Cynthia’s eyes dart to me then, and I know she’s talking about Marcus. “He’s a good kid. I plead with you to call the board for another meeting to discuss this. There has to be a way we can keep him here instead of punishing him for a situation that was clearly too much for him to handle. Isn’t it our job to nurture these kids? To help them through these hard times instead of washing our hands of them?” She listens while Donald speaks, sighing every now and then but finally nodding. “Yes, thank you, Donald. I appreciate that.”

When she ends the call, I sit up.

“You can’t expel Marcus. It was my fault, not his.”

Cynthia sighs, standing from her chair and coming around her desk to sit on the coffee table in front of me.

“Actually, Rhys, it isn’t your fault, and how he responded to the situation is not ok, no matter who is at fault.”

“I know, but he was so shocked and hurt. I did that to him, and he didn’t deserve that. He’s such a good person, mum. He deserves a second chance.”

Cynthia smiles softly. “I know Marcus is a good person, Rhys. That’s why I am fighting the board on their decision to expel him. Donald is going to see what he can do. But technically, you know nothing, ok? No telling anyone what you heard in here.”

When I nod, she adds, “I mean it, Rhys. I’m trying so hard to keep you out of trouble, but divulging confidential information will not only get you into trouble, but it could also mean I lose my job.”

I don’t want that. Not for Cynthia. Unfortunately, the whole me getting into trouble ship has already sailed.

“Why are you here, anyway?” She frowns, and I shrug.

“Miss Fletcher sent me.”

“Why?” She narrows her brown eyes accusingly.

“I think she knows how much I missed you after spending the day with Tillie yesterday.”

Now she really squints, and I flutter my lashes innocently.

“What did you do?” She growls in that funny I’m trying to be serious but failing parent voice.

When I shrug again, she stands from the coffee table and rounds her desk again, taking a seat and using her mouse to do something on her computer. Then her eyes go wide, and she darts them back at me.

“Really, Rhys?”

“What?” I ask innocently.

“Did you say, and I quote,” She makes air quotes, “For fuck’s sake, woman! There’s no need to scare the living shit out of me!”

“In my defence, she really did scare the shit out of me with the way she slammed her hand on my table. I knocked my books flying and everything.”

“Why did she slam her hand on the table, Rhys?”

I shrug again. “I guess she wanted my attention.”

“Why didn’t she have your attention in the first place?”

“I was busy having a conversation.” I roll my eyes like as if that was obvious.

“With who?” She asks, crossing her hands over her chest.

“Don’t you mean, with whom?” I correct.

“Rhys!”

“Mum!”

“Using mum isn’t going to soften me up, you know?”

“Are you sure?” I flutter my lashes, and after a moment of silence, Cynthia grins, causing me to laugh.

“Stop it. You’re in trouble, young lady!”

“Am I, though?” I shoot her a toothy smile.

“Yes! Because apparently, you also flipped her the bird!”

“I mean… I blew her a kiss, too. Maybe she was confused and didn’t realise that I was blowing her a kiss?”

“Rhys!” Cynthia growls.

“Want me to show you?” I offer, and her face turns red in anger.

“No! What has gotten into you lately?”

“Don’t you mean who has gotten into me lately?”

“That’s enough!” Her raised voice bounces off the walls, making me still, and I realise I’ve taken it too far. Whoops! It’s not often that Cynthia yells like this. “I’m trying so hard not to push you too much, Rhys. To give you the freedom to explore your needs, even though it goes against everything I believe. I know if I tighten the reins, it will make you worse, but Rhys Mave, you are walking a very fine line lately, and I’m starting to double guess all the decisions I’ve made when it comes to caring for you.”

My heart stutters and then stops altogether.

“You don’t want to care for me anymore?”

“What?” Her brows furrow, and then she squats down in front of me, taking my hands. “Of course, I do. Don’t get my words twisted in that head of yours. I mean that I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing giving you so much freedom. Perhaps it isn’t good for you. You’re still so young to be doing the things you’re doing.”

She’s referring to allowing me to freely explore my sexual needs, something she decided a couple of years ago when she realised I was going to sneak around on her and probably do worse things in order to seek what I need. Yeah, I’m still not completely honest with her, but for the most part, she knows how I roll.

“I was too young when it first happened,” I whisper, and her hands tighten around mine.

“Yes, you were, and it’s steered your path ever since. I just worry about you. This world is so dangerous, and I know you’ve experienced so much more than the normal seventeen-year-old, but that doesn’t mean you should be doing things that people many years older than you are doing.” She sighs again, dipping her head. “I just worry. So much. If I change the rules, you will end up in a situation like you got yourself into when we were on our trip a few weeks back. Then you’d have to go back to the retreat or somewhere worse. I don’t want that for you, Rhys. I don’t want them to take you away from me.”

I cry then. Like a little girl who’s just watched her barbie get run over by a truck. I cry hard. So hard that I actually fear my chest is going to crack open. Here’s my chance, right now, to tell her about Julie and Brian. To fess up to what I’ve done. But the words don’t come. They stay locked away in the place I bury all of my shame.

Say the words, Rhys.

They never come.

Cynthia pulls me into her arms, hugging me tight, and when a knock sounds on the door a few minutes later, I hear Tyler’s voice, which stops my tears but not my pain.

“Oh, sorry. You wanted to see me?” He asks, and I burrow my head against Cynthia’s chest, needing to hide.

“Yes, come in and close the door.” At Cynthia’s words, I still. Why is she inviting him in while I’m still here?

The door clicks shut, and I hear Tyler sit in one of the chairs by my mum’s desk.

“I hope you don’t mind having this conversation with my daughter here? She’s aware of the situation anyway, and right now, she needs a hug.”

“Of course, I don’t mind. Is everything ok?” His voice is so soothing to me, and I can sense his eyes on me even as I keep mine squeezed tight, a lousy attempt at blocking out the world.

“I figure you have a little knowledge of the situation since you came across the fight that broke out on Thursday. Rhys is still having a tough time.” Cynthia explains.

“Yes. I can imagine. What can I do to help?” Genuine concern laces his voice, and I wonder if that’s because of the thing we have going or just because he’s a decent human and a dedicated teacher.

“I was hoping you could help me sway the board to reconsider their decision to expel Marcus Grady. Perhaps you can meet with Stephen Matthews. He has some great counselling strategies that might compliment the new boxing program you set up.”

“I’m not sure, Cynthia. Marcus was out of control. He hurt Rhys.” At Tyler’s words, my eyes snap open, and I push away from Cynthia.

“He didn’t mean that! I got in the way!” I snap, my eyes connecting with his deep blue gaze.

“Rhys!” Cynthia scolds as I keep my focus on the teacher that, only last week, was buried deep inside me. “Please don’t speak to Mr Foster like that. Your attitude towards your teachers has been questionable lately.”

I roll my eyes before shooting Tyler a dagger that Cynthia can’t see. Then the smug fuck bites his lip as he tries to hide a smirk.

“It’s fine, Cynthia. Miss George has been through a lot lately.” Tyler turns his eyes to my mum, but I know he can still feel my glare. That’s ok. I’ll make him pay for his smuggery later. “Look, I can certainly try to help Marcus. He’s always been a well-behaved student. The fight was definitely out of character for him.”

Cynthia nods, “Yes, it was. Your help would be greatly appreciated, Tyler. You are a well-respected member of this school. I know the board will listen to what you have to say.”

Tyler nods while I cringe on the inside. Fuck, if only Cynthia knew the truth about Tyler. It would destroy his life if anyone found out about him and me. Cynthia sure as fuck wouldn’t respect me, let alone want to care for me anymore. It might be time for me to find a new sponsor so I can stay away from him.

The thought hurts. It shouldn’t, because what we have is just sex, right? Fuck. What am I doing? Do I really have feelings for my fucking teacher? He’s like, old. Not that age has been much of an issue to me where sex is concerned, so why is his age an issue now?

FML, I’m so exhausted from my fucking brain. I want to switch it off, but the only way I can do that is the very thing that has gotten me into all of this shit in the first place. Typical of a sex addiction, I guess. Like any addiction, it manages to fuck up your life. I’m only seventeen, and I’ve already sent my life down the path of royal fuckery.

“Consider it done.” Tyler smiles warmly at my mum, standing from the chair, his towering height capturing my attention. As usual, he’s wearing sports shorts, and his long muscle defined legs are sprinkled with light hair that I distinctly remember the feel of as they pressed against mine while we fucked on Wednesday night in the barn.

My body heats as I remember how he made me feel, and I know by the pinched expression he shoots me that he can see the flush on my cheeks.

“Thanks, Tyler.” Cynthia smiles while I try to look at every spot other than where Tyler is standing.

“No problem.” He says before turning his attention to me. “Miss George, I expect to see you in Health class after recess.” He uses his teacher’s voice, and I shrug, acting bratty.

The funny part is, he can’t call me out on it because his boss is also my mum. That and what we have going is against the law, in more ways than one.

After Tyler leaves, I spend a bit of time in Cynthia’s office while she works, and then at recess, I leave in search of my friends. Tillie and Bell aren’t in the courtyard, so I shoot them a message asking where they are before lobbing up to Lexi’s side.

“Oh, hey.” Lexi stands back, her blue eyes assessing as they roam over my face. “You ok? Garrett said you got kicked out of English class.”

I shrug. “It’s all good, Lex. Don’t worry your pretty head about it.” I throw my arm over her shoulder, “Now, please tell me you have your costume ready for Thursday nights party?”

She rolls her eyes. “Kinda.” Her reply sounds more like a question than an answer.

“Oh, come on, Lexi. Please don’t bail out on me. We need a night of fun. It’s been too long.”

“I know,” she smiles, “I’m going to the party. I’m just a lazy costume organiser.”

“Don’t stress, George,” Ayden butts in, coming to stand in front of us. “I’ve already got Lexi’s costume sorted.”

“You do?” She asks, and he shoots her a wink. And just like that, the poor girl swoons. Jesus, he knows how to use those winks.

“I do.” Ayden leans down, pressing his lips to Lexi’s, kissing her like I’m not standing shoulder to shoulder with her.

“Unless you want me to join in, you should probably step away. Lexi’s my girl.” Even though it’s a tease, it doesn’t sound like one falling from my lips, and Ayden slowly pulls back and glares at me, causing Lexi to giggle and slap his shoulder. As soon as he returns his gaze to her, she melts into him like I’m not even here.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

Firm hands snake around my waist then, pulling me back into a familiar firm chest as warm breath flutters across my ear.

“Are you alright, Kitten?”

Shaun.

I shouldn’t let him claim me like we are a couple in front of everyone, especially after the whole Marcus incident last week, but do I pull away? No. No, I don’t. It feels too nice to have his arms around me.

I nod, “Yeah. Bad morning, I guess.”

“Hmmm.” He hums, clearly aware that it’s more than just a bad day. “Come with me.”

He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he hauls me away from the busy courtyard. At first, I think he’s leading me to the toilets for a bit of fuck time, but then he steers us into the stadium and takes me into the new gym, which is just about empty, all except for Garrett and Simon.

I stop on the spot, digging my heels in when Shaun tries to lead me in deeper. When he turns a questioning look at me, I tug my hand free of his and cross my arms over my chest.

“What is this?”

“I just want to talk to you. Away from everyone.” Shaun explains, but my eyes dart across the small space to where Garrett and Simon are sitting on some gym equipment, their eyes on me.

“Then why are they here?” I gesture my head to the other guys, but Shaun doesn’t look at who I mean. He already knows they are there.

“We just want to talk,” Shaun states, and I roll my eyes before throwing my arms up and slapping them back down again.

“Is this like some sort of intervention? You gonna tell me what a fuck up I am?” I hiss, crossing my arms back over my chest. “I’ll save you the effort. I already fucking know.”

Shaun frowns. “Stop it. We don’t think that, but something isn’t right, Rhys, and we fucking care about you, ok! We want to help you.”

I laugh. “You can’t help me. No one can help me. Do yourself a favour and forget about me and my drama. I’m not worth it.”

“Bullshit!” The booming voice comes from Garrett as he hauls himself up and storms over to me. “You don’t get to decide how we feel about you, Rhys! And we wouldn’t be here asking you to talk to us if we didn’t think you are worth it!”

For a moment, I can’t speak. Garrett has been dancing around me, warning me off his mates, yet here he is admitting to something more. Of course, I could be totally misreading it, and he could be just a caring friend.

“He’s right. I get that talking about feelings and stuff isn’t your thing, but it helps, especially when you talk to people who actually care. Not just a therapist who is being paid to listen.” Simon’s words shock me, mainly because he’s goofing around more often than not, and it’s strange to have him be so serious.

“What’s so bad that you think I will change the way I look and think about you, Kitten?” Shaun asks next, and man, this conversation is tough. How did I ever think I could have a reverse harem? It’s hard trying to take in what one guy is saying, let alone three.

My eyes dance from Shaun’s grey gaze to Garrett’s blue stare, and Simon’s hazel focus. They’re all so intent on helping me. I just have to find a way to open up and speak my truth. Can I do this?

“Rhys, who’s Julie?” Garrett asks this time, and my shoulders sag.

“She’s one of my old foster mums,” I whisper, not sure if they hear.

“And who is Brian?” Shaun asks this time, taking a step closer to me, taking my arm and prying it from my chest.

“My old foster dad.” Am I really answering their questions right now? Can I really handle divulging this information?

“And he’s dying?” Shaun asks again, and I nod and shrug at the same time.

“So they say. He didn’t look that great when I saw him yesterday.”

“Yesterday afternoon?” Shaun asks, and I nod.

He knows from our previous conversations last night that something happened yesterday. He just doesn’t know what. There’s no way his brain would ever imagine what I did. He’s not that depraved.

“What happened when you saw him yesterday, Kitten?” Shaun asks, and I shake my head, unwilling to answer that particular question.

“Where did you see him?” Garrett asks, and I take a breath before I spill this truth.

“Allansdale prison.”

“What?” the three guys say in unison, and I shrug like it’s no big deal.

“That’s where you were coming from last night? Allansdale Prison?” Shaun asks, taking my hands in his again, tugging me to his chest as I nod, sinking into his warmth.

“Why did you go there and see him?” Simon asks, appearing to my right next to Shaun.

“Julie… she reached out to me a couple of weeks back. Asked me to go and see him.” I pull back to see Garrett step up to Shaun’s left.

Garrett frowns. “But why? Are you two close or something?”

I shake my head, knowing they’ll misinterpret my response as Brian and I not being close. When in fact, we were too close. Sickeningly so.

“I don’t understand.” Garrett’s brows furrow. “Why would she ask you to go and see him then? And why did she ask you to go back and see him by Wednesday?”

“Wow, you remember everything those messages said, hey?” I ask in surprise, and he nods.

“Yeah, I do. I also remember her telling you to do exactly what he asks of you. What does that mean? What would he ask you to do?”

I shrug, playing dumb.

“Kitten.” Shaun breathes. His hand coming up to brush his fingers over my cheek. “You told this Julie lady that you can’t go back and told them to go fuck themselves. Then she warned you if you don’t go back by Wednesday night that you will pay the price. What price will you pay?”

I shake my head again, not wanting to reveal anything else.

“Rhys,” Garrett growls, “What will happen if you don’t go?”

“I don’t know, ok!” I jerk out of Shaun’s hold, feeling suffocated again, and I start pacing. “I don’t know what she’ll do. For all I know, it’s an empty threat.” I stop pacing and face the three guys who I’ve somehow snagged the attention of. “I don’t care, though. Empty threat or real threat. Nothing will be worse than me going back to that place and sitting in that chair in front of that man to… to…” I gag.

“Hey.” Simon rushes forward, taking my shoulders in his hands, and he sucks in a deep breath. “Deep breaths Rhys. Simon says, slow deep breaths.”

I do as he says, locking my eyes with his and copy his breathing pattern because I don’t want to hurl the breakfast Shaun made me this morning. As I suck in the much needed oxygen, my eyes dart over Simon’s shoulders to see Garrett and Shaun looking at each other. They aren’t talking, but I get the feeling they know what each other are thinking.

“That’s it.” Simon smiles, gaining my attention again as my breathing returns to normal, the need to vom no longer there.

The blare of the bell indicating the end of recess has us all frowning, and even though I don’t want to talk about this bullshit anymore, I know I’d rather stay here with the three of them instead of going to class. I know I can’t ditch, though, so I turn and walk out of the gym with the three boys on my heels.