I’m not going in there.
The people around him begin to move toward the school, but he stays. He tilts his head to the side ever so slightly. His smirk is gone, but something else takes its place. It’s like he’s daring me to get out of the car.
More students shuffle past him, and this moment between him and me is too much. Why is he just standing there? I want to scream at him, tell him to go away and leave me alone. His gaze turns hard, his face a veil of evil.
To hell with giving this a week. I start the car and put the gear into reverse, but only when Ryan looks away do I thaw out enough to back up. He’s walking toward the school and I’m leaving. I can get two jobs if I’m not in school, I tell myself as I’m tearing out of the parking lot. I never cared about school. I mostly went because Jessa did.
This is a good thing. I was trying to act like a kid when I’m not. I’m an adult. A crazed laugh bubbles out as I pull onto the main road that leads back to Arden’s house. I can’t believe I almost went in there. Not going in was the right decision. I can feel it in my bones.
Blue lights dance in the rearview mirror. I glance down at the speedometer. I’m only going a couple miles over. I slow down a little, hoping he’ll pass. He doesn’t. I pull to the side of the road, rolling the window down as the officer approaches.
“License and proof of insurance,” he says, his eyes hidden under sunglasses.
“Trying to find the insurance,” I tell him as I shuffle through papers in the glove box. I frown and give the officer my attention. “I’m sorry, I can’t find it and I forgot my purse. I don’t have my ID with me.”
He steps back. “I’m going to need you to step out of the car.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “S-sure,” I stutter. I step out as the officer mumbles something into the speaker near his shoulder.
“Do you have any weapons on you?”
“No,” I say, my voice rising an octave too high.
“Step to the back of the car,” he says, motioning with his hand.
Another squad car pulls up, and I’m starting to panic. A female officer steps out and walks up to me.
“I’m going to need to search you,” she says. “Hold your arms out for me.”
“What’s your full name?” the male officer asks me.
“Emma Skye Sutton,” I say, hating that I’m being treated like a criminal. “Emma, I need to search your car. Is that okay with you?” he asks while peeking into it.
“Yeah.” I chew my lip, wanting to ask what I did wrong. The female cop finishes searching me but stands close as the male cop goes through the car.
After a few seconds, he straightens, holding a bag with white powder in it. “What’s this, Emma?”
“I don’t know,” I say, eyeing the bag. It looks like the stuff Jeff put in my drink, but there’s a lot more in this bag. I look up at the female cop as she’s plucking handcuffs from her belt.
“Turn around. You’re under arrest,” she says flatly.
“What? Why?” I practically shout.
“Turn around,” she says sternly. “Hands behind your back.”
“Because of that?” I gesture toward the bag. “That’s not mine. It’s not even my car. I just moved here.”
“Turn around,” the male cop says, his tone making my heart rate spike.
I don’t want to turn my back on them, but I do. The female officer places the cold cuffs around my wrists. I wince as she tightens them. Silent tears fall as I get into the back of the cop car.
Shit.
Chapter 9
The police station is small, cold, and gloomy, or maybe that’s me projecting. I’m instantly on high alert. My dad says that cops aren’t on your side. Tax dollars might pay them, but they are hired to think the worst of you. Guilty until proven innocent. I’ve never had to deal with cops. We only had one in our town, and he was nice.
A middle-aged cop and a cop who can’t be much older than me sit behind a round desk at the center of the room. There aren’t criminals waiting around to be processed or fights breaking out like I was picturing on the way here.
“What’s your address?” the middle-aged cop behind the desk asks me as the female cop removes my handcuffs.
“I don’t know. I just moved here. I think the street name is… Charlotte. No, wait… Cavalier? Arden Croft is the owner. Can you look it up by name?”
He arches a brow. “You live with Arden Croft?”
I nod. “Yes.”
His cheeks puff out as he blows out a stream of air. “Have a seat.”
I do, sitting on a long bench that’s against the wall. The cops that arrested me move behind the desk to sit. I can hear them speaking in hushed tones with the middle-aged cop.
After a few minutes, they both leave the room mumbling to each other and glaring at me. I watch the second hand on the wall clock tick by. Now that my adrenaline has gone, I’m noticing how cold it is. I wrap my arms around myself trying to get warm, but that doesn’t help.
An hour later, a loud bang comes from the front and then Arden’s rushing to my side.
“You okay?” He tucks his phone into his jacket pocket. “I’m so sorry, Emma. They’ve hired a couple new officers. You shouldn’t have been brought here. In situations like this, I’d normally be called right away. Let me talk to Russell for a minute and then we’ll go, okay?”
Arden talks to the cop behind the desk for a few minutes and then we’re headed out the front door. His car tire is on the curb like he was in a hurry when he parked. I slip into the passenger seat, wrapping my arms around my knees. “Am I not arrested anymore? Do they realize I didn’t do anything wrong?” I ask Arden as he gets into the driver’s seat.
“We’ll get everything sorted out. Don’t worry,” Arden says, maneuvering the car onto the road.
The ride back is silent, not giving me much hope that I shouldn’t worry. Arden probably thinks I’m a drug addict. Ryan is stepping out of his white Mercedes and Brent the Mustang as Arden and I are pulling up. They’re the last people I want to see.
“Hey, Dad. What’s going on?” Ryan says. Why’d we have to pick up the car?
“Boys, have you let anyone drive the Mustang recently?” Arden asks.
Realization smacks me across the face. They did this. It had to be them. I can’t believe they would be this evil. Holy shit. I stand stunned while Arden questions them about friends they’ve had in the car. Not once does he suspect them.
“What’s going on, Dad?” Ryan asks, faking concern.
He sighs. “Emma was pulled over today and the cops found cocaine in the car.”
Both Ryan and Brent pretend to be shocked.
“Jerry’s going to help. There shouldn’t be any jail time,” Arden tells his evil monsters.
“Jail?” I whisper. “You think I’ll go to jail?”
Arden rests his hand on my shoulder, bending slightly to look me in the eyes. “No, Jerry’s going to handle it.”
“How much does Jerry cost?”
Arden removes his hand and straightens. “The price doesn’t matter, Emma. Why don’t you go inside and rest? You’re looking pale. I’ll take care of everything.”
Clenching my jaw, I face Ryan. “I can’t believe you did this!” I snap. “This… this was too far.” My chest rises and falls quickly. I’m close to lunging at him. I’ve never been in a fight, but I feel like I could get a few good hits in before I was either pulled off him or he knocked me out.
“What’s going on? Who did what?” Arden asks, looking between me and his monsters.
“Nothing. I’m going to my room.” I shove past Ryan. I have no proof. I can stand here and accuse them, but without proof, Arden will never believe me. I want to tell him I’m leaving and that his bastard kids set me up, but without his help, without Jerry, I could be facing jail time. How did this become my life?
***
Things move quickly in the world of the rich. By midafternoon the next day, Arden’s lawyer friend Jer
ry is meeting with us on the back patio with freshly squeezed lemonade and blueberry muffins.
The patio furniture is white wicker with dark-blue seat cushions. Arden and I are seated next to each other, a small glass table between us. Jerry’s across from us on the wicker sofa. The large glass table in front of him makes me shiver. Those tables can be dangerous.
“Emma will need to complete a six-month probationary period. There aren’t fines or meetings with a probation officer, and her record will remain clean. Judge just wants her to remain at her current residence and continue her enrollment in school.”
I shoot out of the chair, nearly spilling the lemonade from the glass in my hand. “What! No way. I’m not going to school.” I set the glass down with shaking hands. Jerry’s eyebrows narrow while Arden looks shocked at my outburst. I sit back down, focusing on the basket of muffins in front of me. “Sorry, but I don’t want to go back to school.”
“Emma, what’s this about?” Arden laughs. “This is good news. You were already going to school, so—”
I cut my gaze to him. “I was going to drop out and get a job. I was leaving school when I got pulled over,” I say, trying to sound strong and in control of my life, but my voice is barely above a whisper.
“You went to school only to decide to drop out the same day?” Jerry asks.
“I… yeah. I just realized how stupid it was to go when I could get a job instead. I’m not a kid anymore.”
Arden frowns. “Emma, I don’t want you to worry about jobs or money—”
“Do you think the judge would let me work full time instead of finishing school?” I ask Jerry.
He rubs his jaw, his gaze cutting to Arden. “I don’t know. It’s possible.”
“No. Emma, no. You are a kid. We talked about this. You’re starting over. I’m taking responsibility for you. You would have finished school back home if your friend’s uncle hadn’t—”
“Don’t,” I plead. “Don’t.”
“Finishing high school will look better on college applications,” Jerry says.
“I don’t even know if I’m going to college.”
“Let’s pause this conversation while I give the judge a quick call,” Jerry says.
I lean back, crossing my arms. I feel like a spoiled brat arguing about having to finish school when the alternative could have been jail. I know I won’t last if I’m forced to go to school with Ryan and Brent. I’ll admit that I’m not strong enough to handle it.
While Jerry’s off making a phone call, Arden and I sit in silence. Now is the perfect time for me to be truthful. “Arden, I don’t think Brent and Ryan are very happy about me being here.”
“That’s not true, Emma. They’ve been worried about you. They approached me this morning before school and told me to let them know if there was anything they could do to make your transition easier. What makes you think they don’t like you? Does it have to do with what you said last night? Do you think they left drugs in the car? Because I can assure you that they don’t do drugs.”
They want to send me to jail! You don’t know them like you think you do! That’s what I want to say, but I don’t have proof. My leg bounces. “I… I just… They just don’t seem to like me.” I roll my eyes at how lame I sound.
“You guys need to get to know each other better, spend time together.” Arden nods. “You’ll see, Emma. They care about you.” He runs his hand through his hair. “Emma, I didn’t want to ask, but I think I need to. Were the drugs yours?”
I knew he’d think this. “No. Definitely not.”
He nods once. “I didn’t think so, but Ryan and Brent were adamant that their friends don’t do drugs.” He sighs. “Maybe they don’t know their friends like they think they do.”
Jerry plops back down with his drink in hand. “Judge wants her to finish school.” He looks at me. “You’re getting off extremely easy, kid. You had a lot of coke on you.”
I blow out a breath. “I am thankful that I’m not going to jail for something I didn’t do.” I pull at my bottom lip, thinking of something that can get me out of this. “I can finish any school, right? Like a different school?”
Jerry shrugs. “I don’t see why the school matters as long as you’re living here.”
I hate myself for asking this. “What about private school? Could I go to a private school?”
Arden shrugs. “The local public school is the best in the state, but if you want to go to a private one, that’s fine.” He gives me a reassuring smile.
I let out a relieved breath. “Okay. Thank you.”
“Did something happen at school yesterday? Is that why you left early?” Arden asks.
I shrug. “I think private school will be a better fit.”
“This is off the books as usual, but that doesn’t mean the rules don’t need to be followed,” Jerry says.
Arden nods. “Of course. I think Emma understands the gravity of the situation. Don’t you, Emma?”
“I understand,” I reply.
“Dad, are you still going to help me with the quarterlies today?” Sully asks from the open French doors.
I glance over at him, but he’s focused on Arden and not me. My stomach turns. I want him to look at me. I want him to let me explain.
“Sully, you’re home.” Arden stands, motioning for me to as well. “I want you to meet Emma.”
“Hi, Sully.” Look at me, I beg with my eyes.
“We’ve already met.” Sully looks at the top of my head. “Hey.”
There’s no emotion there. Where’s the guy who picked up my bags, helped me get through a panic attack, and gave me the perfect kiss? His actions crush me more than they probably should. All I get is hey. I guess I should be thankful he didn’t add a whore to the end of that.
“You have time today, Dad?”
Arden frowns, glancing at me briefly before focusing back on Sully. “I won’t have time until Thursday, Sully. Does that work?”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” Sully says. “Hey, Jerry. How you doing?”
“Doing well, Sully. How’s the business?”
“Keeping me busy,” Sully replies. “That reminds me, I have a phone call to make to a new client. It was nice seeing you, Jerry.” Sully pulls his phone from his pocket. “I’ll see you Thursday, Dad.” He doesn’t wait for Arden to reply as he slips away.
“He’s grown up nicely,” Jerry says.
Go after him, my brain whispers.
Arden laughs. “I wasn’t so sure in the beginning.” Arden rolls his head to look at me. “Sully was a little rebellious there for a while.” He nods toward Jerry. “Jerry has been helping our family for years.”
Jerry laughs. “That I have, old friend.” He gives me a pointed look. “Stay out of trouble, Emma. I don’t want to take all my friend’s money.” Seeing the expression on my face, he holds his hands out in front of him. “I’m only kidding. When you’re friends with the judge...” He shrugs. “It makes things less complicated.”
You’re letting Sully get away, my brain screams, trying to get me to do what I was too scared to do the other day. Maybe if I had gone after him, I could have made him understand I’m not the girl Ryan’s accusing me of being.
I shoot up from the chair, my eyes fixed on the back door. “Excuse me,” I say breathlessly before racing toward the house.
I catch him as he’s about to walk downstairs. “Sully, wait!” He doesn’t stop, so I grab his arm, only to quickly release it as he spins around, looking furious. “I’m sorry. I… Sully, I wanted to explain to you—”
“Did you get caught with coke?”
“I… There was coke in the car, but—”
He steps back. “You really are a drugged-out whore.”
“No, please let me explain. It wasn’t mine. Ryan—"
His hazel eyes burn with anger. “My brothers don’t do drugs. They get tested on their teams.” He shakes his head, stepping back. “Don’t fucking touch me or come near me again.”
; With tears in my eyes, I watch him walk away. I’m such an idiot. I almost fell for a boy who had no problem turning his back on me. And he’s not just any boy, he’s Ryan and Brent’s brother. I head back to the patio to join Arden and Jerry.
“Everything okay, kiddo?” Arden asks.
“Fine,” I say, sinking into the chair.
“I was just telling Arden that I better get going so he can catch his flight,” Jerry says.
Arden nods. “Yeah, definitely can’t miss this one. Things are taking off in California.” He laughs lightly. “Reservations are booked months out, and we haven’t opened yet.”
“I suggested opening in California years ago. He didn’t want to be away from those damn boys.” Jerry chuckles. “But better late than never. Anyway, I’m glad we could get this little mess sorted out. I’ll see you next week for lunch, Arden.” He finishes off his lemonade before leaving through the French doors.
“Hey, Dad. Is everything okay?” Ryan asks, taking Jerry’s spot on the couch. Brent shuffles over, dropping down next to him.
“Everything’s good, Ry.” He rubs his forehead. “This couldn’t be worse timing. I have a business trip that I need to leave for”—he looks at the silver watch on his wrist—“in thirty minutes. I couldn’t cancel it, but I’ll be back Thursday instead of Saturday.”
“Oh, you didn’t need to shorten your trip because of me,” I say, feeling so freaking guilty.
“Just a few kinks. It’s fine. I got a birthday cake this morning since we didn’t have time yesterday. Why don’t we all head to the kitchen to have some before I go?”
“Sure,” I say.
“Sounds good, Mr. A,” Brent says, and then nudges me as we head inside. “I guess you had a pretty crazy birthday.”
“Guess so,” I mumble, wanting to slap him.
“I got you a present,” Ryan says, grabbing a pink bag from the kitchen bar.
I eye him warily, but Arden looks elated. I want to gag. I grab the bag from him. Inside, there are several small bottles of lotion and body spray. “Thanks,” I mumble.
Bullies Love and Lies Page 6