Call It What You Want(94)

The panic bleeds out of his eyes. “Thanks.”

I sigh and look up at the night. “That’s what friends are for.”



Connor’s aunt arrives around sunrise. I’m half-asleep on his front step, but he’s in good hands, so I take it as my cue to go home and take a shower.

When I get out, Mom is waiting with red-rimmed eyes and a wilting frame.

“You should go to bed,” I tell her.

“You too.”

I have to take a deep breath. “I’m worried Bill is going to turn you in, too.”

She swallows. Her voice is barely audible. “I know.”

I step forward and give her a hug, holding on for a long time.

When I let go, she takes a good look at me. “You’re dressed. Where are you going?”

“School,” I say.

“Rob, you’ve been up for twenty-four hours.”

“I need another hour.”

“But why?”

“I need to talk to someone.”



“Mr. Lachlan!” says Mr. London. “I expected you yesterday.”

“Sorry,” I say back. “I was arrested.”

The words have the effect I expected. The good nature slips off his face, replaced with concern. “Are you okay?”

The fact that he cares almost makes me collapse from exhaustion. “Yeah.” I take a breath. “Can I talk to you about it?”

“Of course.” He raises the counter.

When we’re in his office and the door is closed, I tell him everything.

Everything everything.

When I’m done, he’s staring at me, his fingers steepled in front of his face.

I feel both lighter and heavier after sharing it all, and his silence is killing me. “Would you please say something?”

He sighs. “I think I need to process all this.” He leans back in his chair. “I’m proud of you for realizing that playing Robin Hood isn’t the answer.”

I blush and look away. “Yeah. Well. Everything else is still a mess.” I scrub my hands over my face. “I’m really worried about my mom.”

“I can see why.”

I swallow hard. “Is there a way she can get out of this? Is there a way I can protect her somehow?”

His eyes darken with pity. “I don’t know, Rob.”

Of course he doesn’t. He’s a high school librarian. Why would he have any idea? I was so foolish to come here.

He leans in against the desk. “But,” he says, “if there’s one thing librarians are good at, it’s finding answers.” He pulls a notepad out of his desk. “I’m going to write you a pass for first period. Take it to your teacher and come right back, okay?”

I stare at him in surprise. “Okay.”

“Don’t worry.” He pats my hand. “We’ll figure it out.”





CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Maegan

When Rob walks into first period with a yellow pass slip, I nearly fall out of my chair. I didn’t expect him to show up for class this morning. He looks rough, pale and unshaven, and his eyes are a little wild. He hands the pass to Mrs. Quick, who glances at it and nods.

Rob looks so scattered that I don’t expect him to look my way, but he does.

He slides a note onto my calculus book. “I can’t stay,” he whispers. His fingers brush across mine, and then he’s gone.

I carefully unfold the note.

Connor turned in his parents. Mom might be arrested, too. I’m with Mr. London. I’ll tell you everything at lunch.

I almost gasp out loud.

Lunch. I glance at the clock. Lunch is three hours away.

I start counting the minutes.



Whether by coincidence or accident, I run into Rachel in the cafeteria. I’m still in line, but she’s walking away from the register with a soda. She flinches from my gaze and turns away without saying a word.

I step into her path. “Hey,” I say. “Rachel.” I hold my breath. “I’m sorry.”

That gets her attention. “You’re sorry?”

“Yes. Kind of. I didn’t consider that you were looking out for me.”

“Yes. I was.” I can’t read her expression.

“Drew was really mean to Rob. He didn’t deserve that. I know you were trying to protect me, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to be mean to him.”

She says nothing, so I keep going. In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess. “And I don’t like the way you stand by and let Drew say mean things to me, too.”

She frowns. “I—I’ve felt bad about that for a long time.” She takes a breath. “That’s kind of my fault.”

“Your fault!”

She looks away and fidgets. “Yeah. I don’t—I don’t know how to explain.”

“Try.” My voice comes out too sharp, so I soften it with, “Please, Rachel. I miss you.”

She takes a deep breath and meets my eyes. “I was so mad at you when you cheated.”

It’s literally the last thing I expected her to say. “What? Why?”

“Because you’re so smart!” she explodes. “You practically had straight A’s last year. You’re in five AP classes. I can barely handle one honors class.”