Bad Intentions (Bad Love #2)(23)

“You know the money is in the tips…”

Exactly. And that’s my money.

“Okay, so what are we talking here? Like thirty hours a week?”

“More like fifteen. Maybe twenty. Possibly more once the busy season hits, because I’ll need you both.”

“This is bullshit,” I mutter under my breath, unable to keep my frustration at bay.

“I know it is. Believe me, I’d rather work with you every day than her. I’m not happy about it, either.”

He seems to have his own reasons for being pissed, besides just cutting my hours. I know my anger is misdirected, but fuck. Fifteen hours? That’s nothing. Nothing. I exhale through my nose and close my eyes. I give myself a quick mental pep talk. I’m lucky to have a job. It just might take me a little bit longer to save up for a new place.

Jake’s looking at me warily, as if I’m a volcano ready to erupt. I give him a terse nod before turning for the door.

“Logan,” he says, but I wave him off.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I just need to figure something else out.”

My phone rings, but I don’t recognize the number, so I silence it, only for it to ring again immediately. I hold a finger up, letting Jake know I need to take it.

“Hello?”

“Hi, yes, is this Logan Shepherd?” It’s a woman’s voice, assertive, but somehow soft.

“Yes…” I say, but it comes out as a question rather than a statement.

“This is Susan Connelly. The principal at River’s Edge High School.”

Oh God. What did Jess do? The sinking feeling in my gut multiplies times one million.

“Is Jesse okay?” I ask, plugging my free ear with my finger in an attempt to hear her above all the noise of chattering customers and clanking dishes. I meet Jake’s eyes, and his forehead wrinkles with concern.

“He’s okay, but he was involved in a fight on campus. I’m going to need you to come in so we can discuss his behavior and the resulting consequences.”

“Okay. I’m on my way.”

“Shit.” I shove my phone back into my pocket and turn to leave. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

“Is everything okay?” Jake asks, standing from his desk.

“No. Yes. I don’t know. Jess got into a fight at school, and I have to go meet the principal.”

“Do you want me to drive you?”

“No, I have Henry’s car. Thanks, though. I’ll come right back,” I promise.

Jake nods, and I’m out the door.

When I arrive at the high school, I push through the double doors and walk to the same office I brought Jess to the other day. Lacey sees me storming toward her, and she quickly snatches the phone up to her ear and quietly mumbles something into the receiver. I spot Jess in a chair to my right with his head hanging low, and another kid sits a few seats away from him sporting a busted lip.

I hurry over to him and squat down to his level, pulling his chin up to inspect him. He jerks his head out of my grasp, but not before I see traces of a bloody nose.

“You good?” I ask, looking at the other kid out of the corner of my eye. I can’t coddle Jess in public. That’s the surest way to get him to shut down completely.

“Fine,” he says, his lip slightly snarled.

I hear a door open behind me, and a woman’s voice follows.

“Miss Shepherd, Jesse. Please, come with me,” the principal says. She’s tall and thin with her short blonde hair slicked back into a low ponytail. “Stay put,” she says, pointing a finger at the other kid. “We’re still trying to get ahold of your parents.”

I hear the kid mumble a sarcastic good luck with that right before the office door closes behind us.

“Have a seat,” she says, gesturing toward two wooden chairs with blue padding. There’s a man standing off to the side of the room wearing a white polo with the school’s logo, a hat, and a whistle around his neck.

“This is Coach Standifer. He’s our P.E. teacher. Jesse was in his class at the time.”

“Nice to meet you,” he says, offering his hand. I shake it and give a wobbly smile before sitting down. Jess takes the seat next to me.

“I understand that you’re his sister?” Mrs. Connelly asks.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“We usually require a legal guardian for this type of thing, but I understand your case isn’t…typical.”

Oh, you mean most kids here have parents who actually give a shit? Crazy concept.

I don’t respond. I sit quietly, waiting for the gavel to drop.

“Jesse has made quite a stir in the short time he’s been here,” she says, looking through pages inside a manila folder. “He’s been late, missed periods, mouthed off, and today, he was physical with another student. I’m sure you know we can’t allow that. The protection of our students is paramount, and it’s my job to make this a safe environment.”

“Jesse isn’t violent,” I start. “I’m not sure what happened, but I can promise you it won’t happen again.”

“It can’t. To be frank with you, Miss Shepherd, we have enough to expel him right now.”

At that, Jess finally reacts. His head snaps up. “You can’t do that,” he says. His voice is steady, but I can hear the underlying panic.