The Rebel of Raleigh High (Raleigh Rebels #1)(85)

“You wouldn’t have dared to speak to me like in front of Jake. He’ll hear about this! You’re through! You’re gonna be locked up before nightfall, motherfucker!”





Jake hears about it all right. Sheriff Hainsworth shows up at Raleigh just before lunch, along with a tall guy in a tailored suit, who climbs out of a flashy Maserati and storms toward Principle Darhower’s office wearing a face like thunder. Not long after that, I’m called to Darhower’s office myself. In a sour mood, Karen barks at me, ordering me to sit down and wait outside to be called.

When the door to Darhower’s office opens, Jake emerges first, looking like the smug piece of shit that he is, followed by Kacey. Her face is splotchy and red, her mascara smudged, and I know for a fact it was smeared with her fingertip in the girls’ bathrooms before she went in to put on her performance. She flips me off as she sails past, pretending to sniffle into Jake’s shoulder.

“Ms. Parisi. Inside, please,” Darhower calls. Jake’s father’s still in with him, leaning against a bookcase filled with encyclopedias, looking like he owns the damn place. Sheriff Hainsworth’s standing at the window with his back to the room. Alex is nowhere to be seen. “Sit,” Principle Darhower orders. I do so, dread spiking in my veins. “Some very grave accusations have been made against yourself and another student, Silver. It’s my duty to investigate the legitimacy of these accusations and act accordingly, based on their veracity. Is there anything you’d like to tell me about what happened this morning?”

“Really? This is actually, really happening?” I laugh, unable to stop myself in time.

“Young lady, you will take this seriously or lose the right to give your version of events at all,” Mr. Weaving snaps.

“Actually…no. That’s not…we can’t do that, Caleb,” Principle Darhower says wearily. “There are protocols in place for this type of thing. They have to be observed. Silver, just get on with it and tell us what happened. We all have things to be getting on with here.”

“Okay. I arrived at school with Alex—”

“That’s Alessandro Moretti, correct?” Sheriff Hainsworth asks stiffly. He doesn’t turn around.

“Yes.”

He grunts, and I feel like, in confirming Alex’s name I’ve basically just signed some sort of confession of guilt. “Continue,” Principle Darhower urges.

I give him a run-down of everything that happened, bar any mention that was made about my assault. With Jake’s father in the room, seems like a prudent plan. It takes all of five seconds to recount the petty spat that took place in the parking lot. When I’m done, Principle Darhower bridges his hands in front of him, frowning deeply. “So, there were no threats of physical violence made by Alex? Toward Kacey?”

“I’m sorry? What?”

“Ms. Winters is claiming that Alex Moretti pulled a knife from his bag and brandished it in her face. She said he told her he was going to slit her throat from ear to ear if she didn’t leave you alone.”

What the hell did he just say? I heard the words, but he could not have just said that. “That is a flat-out lie, Principal Darhower. Alex did tell Kacey to leave me alone, but he didn’t have a knife. He sure as hell didn’t stick it in her face.”

“Jim, Kacey's been dating Jake all summer. She was at my house, with my family every single day for weeks. I know that girl, and she's sweet, kind, and thoughtful. I'm telling you. She wouldn't lie about something like this.”

I burst out laughing, even as Principle Darhower rolls his eyes at Caleb Weaving’s preposterous statement. “Caleb, come on now. We all know that’s not true. Kacey’s been known to spin a yarn in the past if it’s helped get out of hot water. She’s no saint.”

“What about everything else she said?” Caleb hisses. “That Alex Moretti punk threatened my son, too.”

Principle Darhower ignores Mr. Weaving, but still—tiredly—gives him what he wants. “Kacey claims Alex threatened to hurt Jacob, Silver. She said he swore he and his biker friends were going to jump him and break every single one of his ribs.”

Oh…my…god. This is getting more and more ridiculous by the minute. “Alex said nothing of the sort. This is all just…fuck, it’s a complete fabrication!”

Darhower rocks back into his chair. Caleb Weaving stabs a finger in my direction. “See! Listen to the language on her. You’re going to believe this little upstart over my son and his girlfriend?”

I have had enough of this bullshit to last me a lifetime. I narrow my eyes, digging my fingernails into my palms. “Why is he even here right now? Shouldn’t my dad be present if I’m being accused of something?”

“I fund this entire school, young lady. I own this building down to its crumbling foundations! Don’t you dare presume to—”

I ignore the bastard, looking Darhower square in the eye. “Alex did not have a knife. He did not threaten to hurt Jake, either. I mean, what would he possibly have to gain?”

Revenge.

Justice.

Satisfaction.

“Jake already told me this kid wants his spot on the team, Jim. He’s already tried to hurt him during practice. Poor sportsmanship. Late hits. Whispering all kinds of foul nonsense in his ears. I don’t like it. I want that boy gone.”