Changing the Rules (Richter Book 1)(25)

When she found the bottom drawer locked, she considered picking it as well.

The time told her she was pressing her luck.

Careful to put everything back the way it was before she came in, she opened the door, looked twice, and left.



Cooper glanced at the time after he texted Claire that Mr. Eastman was on the field.

Eastman couldn’t have been much older than him. He wore slacks and one of the high school shirts that had the mascot logo on one side, and “Auburn Pride” written on the other. One of the students pointed Cooper’s way, directing the other man.

“Cooper Mitchel?” he asked when he approached.

Cooper smiled, extended a hand. “Mr. Eastman.”

“It’s Leo.”

Cooper indicated another spot on the field. One, so no one could hear their conversation, and two, so he could see when Claire walked onto the field.

“I’m glad you messaged me,” Leo said as they walked. “I was about to do the same to you.”

“Really? About Claire Porter?” Cooper’s message to Leo was to discuss Claire.

Leo offered a single nod. “She’s a bright girl.”

If only you knew how bright. “And pretty fast on her feet, too.”

“So I heard. Does she have an attitude out here?”

Cooper shook his head. “Nothing that I’ve seen. I was surprised when Mr. Green told me she’s spent time in his office.”

“My homeroom is full of kids with chips on their shoulders. I don’t buy into a lot of their drama, but when I see someone with potential acting out, I try and learn what makes them happy and use it to help them focus.”

“And you think that’s track?”

“I’m asking you.”

“The kids seem to like her, she doesn’t have that chip out here,” Cooper said.

Leo looked around them. “I’m hoping we can work together and keep her focused. I’d hate to see her attitude keep her from competing. I told her that today.”

Cooper tried to act surprised. “I’ll certainly talk to her, see if there’s something causing her anger that we can mitigate.”

Leo nodded a few times. “So was there something you wanted to talk with me about?”

“You covered most of it. I’ve reached out to a couple of her teachers when Green told me she needed to shape up.” Then, because Cooper needed to stall, he asked, “Is there a behavior you’ve noticed with her?”

“In homeroom, she seems annoyed to be there. But I’ve heard she likes to challenge her teachers and say fuck a lot.”

Cooper couldn’t stop his laugh.

“I know. But a lot of the teachers get up in their ass about those things.”

“Seems stupid to treat seventeen-year-olds like they’re five.”

“Hard habit for many teachers to break, I’m afraid.”

“I see Claire hanging around Sean Fisher. Anything you can share about him?”

Leo shook his head as if he had plenty to say. “Sean’s parents are both in the business . . .”

“Hollywood?”

Leo’s nod was the answer. “His parents are uninvolved. Plenty of rumors on campus that if there was a drug you wanted, he could help with that. I had a conversation with his mother early in the year. I hinted about drugs . . . Her response was that ‘pot is legal now’.”

“Ouch.”

“I know.”

“I have him in my auto class, he doesn’t appear strung out on anything to me.”

“He’s had plenty of Mondays where he doesn’t get to school on time. I think he cleaned up a little after the holidays. Hard to tell. His grades are marginal, reminds me that his parents didn’t go to college and they do just fine.”

“Maybe Claire will have a good influence on him. I don’t see her as the party type.”

Leo laughed. “Oh, she parties. I guarantee it. Let’s just hope she sticks with the simple shit and Ubers. There’s a safe ride program with the school, too.”

“How often is that used?”

“Not as much as it should be.” Leo looked around the field. “Sports help, so I’m glad Claire is here.”

The buzz in Cooper’s pocket distracted him. A glance at his home screen said Claire was on her way. “I’ll talk with Claire. We don’t want to see her dropping track.”

“Is she really that good?”

“I’m new to coaching, but Bennett thinks she’s a contender for state.”

Leo held out his hand. “Let’s use that to keep her focused.”

“Great talking to you,” Cooper said.

“We should grab a beer sometime. I have a few of your kids, would like to know what makes them tick. Maybe direct them toward trade schools.”

Cooper nodded. “That would be great. We’ll hit happy hour.”

“Next Thursday?”

The kids started running their warm-up laps. “You’re on.”

Cooper waved as Leo walked away and moved to where the kids dropped their backpacks. It wasn’t long before Claire showed up.

He walked up, ignored how good she looked in her running shorts and tank top. “Did you get what you wanted?”