Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 149510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 748(@200wpm)___ 598(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149510 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 748(@200wpm)___ 598(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
I stand without hesitation and walk toward him, ignoring Dane’s sneer as I walk by. The kid wouldn’t know appropriate behavior if it hit him right in the nuts.
“Dane,” the dean says then. “You get in here too.”
Ty stands in the back of the office, his arms crossed over his chest while the dean instructs Dane and me to take the seats in front of his desk.
Dean Kandinsky considers me for a long moment before looking at Dane. There’s familiarity in his eyes, as well as annoyance. I guess having some douchey kid ruin your chances at getting any more fat checks from their parents is a real downer.
“Dane, why don’t you explain to me what happened?”
Dane, the pretentious asshole, turns on his rich-kid persona in an instant. “It was all just a simple misunderstanding, sir. I was having a conversation with my girlfriend, and—”
“Ex-girlfriend,” I interject. “And it wasn’t a conversation. You were harassing her.”
Dane shakes his head. “See, this is a big misunderstanding if you think that’s what was happening, Finnley.”
Oh, this asshole.
Unexpectedly, a strong hand clamps down on my shoulder. I follow it upward to Ty Winslow, and my jaw tightens so hard it’s a wonder it doesn’t break under the pressure.
“I’ve had several firsthand accounts that there was an argument happening between Dane and Scottie Bardeaux when Finn arrived,” Ty updates. “Finn stepped in to dispel it, and Dane threw the first punch.”
“Sir!” Dane objects hastily. “I was just defending myself proactively from a much larger opponent.”
“Right. And you calling Scottie a cunt for everyone to hear was just a bid for an Oscar.”
Dean Kandinsky laments and rubs a hand over his bald head with rough movements. “All right, all right. Enough. You’re both on probation. One more physical altercation on campus and you’re out.”
“Of course, sir.” Dane kisses ass. “It’ll never happen again, sir.”
“I hope you mean that, Dane. Your father would be extremely disappointed to hear otherwise.”
Uh-huh, I hum internally. So, the dean does know his family. Just as I suspected.
Dane and I stand, and Ty steps forward to address us again. “I’m going back to carry on with whatever class is left, but the two of you are going back to your dorms to cool off. I’ll see you on Thursday.”
My jaw flexes under the overwhelming PSI of my clenched teeth, but somehow, I manage not to say anything at all.
He nods to the dean and leaves, and Dane and I trail behind him on our way out of the office. Our footsteps sound on the expensive tile floors and echo off the massively arched ceiling like we’re a stampeding herd. Still, I keep my head down and my mouth shut the whole time. I’m smart enough to learn when to quit. It’s not until we push through the door of the Stewart Building that Dane proves he, on the other hand, didn’t learn shit.
“This isn’t over, bro. I promise you that.”
I don’t bother with a response as I keep walking without a glance or any recognition at all.
Funnily enough, it’s more than over for me. I’ve never been more done inserting myself into a situation in my life.
Friday, September 27th
Scottie
It’s been over two weeks since Finn Hayes beat the shit out of Dane in the courtyard in front of Newton and just as long since he’s spoken to me.
I tried to offer my notes after he missed our English class to speak with Dean Kandinsky, even showed up at his dorm, but he wasn’t there and Ace told me he’d already gotten the notes covered.
I’ve also texted him, several times, just to apologize and check in, but all of it has gone unanswered. Not to mention, he always manages to sit on the opposite side of the room as me in Professor Winslow’s class now, the seats around him filled by Ace and his lackeys, so I don’t even have a chance to get close to him.
Oddly enough, I understand. Rumor has it Dean Kandinsky threatened expulsion, and to be honest, if Dane’s family weren’t friendly with him, he probably would have done it already.
But now that things have been quiet from my ex-boyfriend, I’ve had the time to consider all the things I know about Finn Hayes.
There’s a gentle outer layer that covers a burning rage inside. From the first moment I bumped into him, he’s shown a level of care and consideration for me that, with other people, I haven’t even been able to earn. He has a willingness to stand up for what’s right, even when it shouldn’t be his concern at all. And at the end of the day, I want people like that in my life.
I know I don’t deserve his attention or company after all my drama has put him through, but I can’t say I don’t miss the idea of having it—even as just a friend.