Page 129 of Saints & Sailors

Finally, I let it go. “How bad is it at school?”

There were a ton of text messages from Cameron, Bonham, and Vanity. I didn’t have the heart to talk to anyone just yet.

Dreux shrugged as if it were no big deal our classmates now thought I was a drug dealer. “Considering nothing ever happens around here? It’s pretty much all anyone can talk about.”

I would never live this down. “Great.”

“Hey.” His deep and calm voice soothed me as he spoke again. “They’re going to figure out who’s behind this.”

“And when they do, we can run them over with your car,” I said.

Dreux whistled. “Probably not the best idea.”

He took my hand and entwined our fingers. I felt cold against his warm skin.

I took in his large hand and where it held mine securely. I ran my thumb over his knuckles and frowned. “What did you say to your dad to get him to help?”

Dreux was quiet as he watched me caress his hand in mine. His brows furrowed and his features fell in defeat. “That we’d spend more time together. That I’d really consider law school.”

I gasped. “Dreux.”

He shrugged, looking up at me. “It was worth it. I couldn’t let you rot in there and take the fall for this.”

I slid down until I was lying on his chest. He was so unlike me. Firm. Strong. Calm against any current. A part of me wanted to push him away and run, but another, was tired of running. I needed someone like Dreux. Someone good. Someone kind. Someone who saw those traits in me.

“Thank you,” I breathed out, feeling overwhelmed by the gesture. “I know it took a lot to go to him. I won’t ever forget it.”

Taking my chin in his hand, Dreux tipped my head up, making me look at him. “Just promise me you won’t give up on yourself. I know it looks bad for you, but promise me you’re going to fight this. That you won’t lay down and let this asshole win.”

With so many people in my corner, how could I give up?

“I promise,” I swore.

Dreux leaned down and kissed me. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close, keeping me safe. The only way he knew how.

“Are you feeling better?”

Cameron was on the phone with me Friday night. After lying in bed with Dreux, I finally started responding to text messages on Thursday. My fault or not, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face anyone else in person any time soon.

Scott was doing a closing shift at Marty’s and Dreux was working late at the barbershop. That left me lounging on the sofa listening to music in the living room that night, grateful for Cameron’s call.

“As well as I can feel,” I said. “All things considered.”

“No word yet from Dreux’s dad?”

René had been granted access to Horton High that morning and had said something about reviewing camera footage and checking computer records.

Hope was a dangerous thing for a girl like me, but I was eager to see if his digging could produce anything helpful.

“We’re meeting tomorrow for breakfast,” I said. “I guess I’ll wait and see.”

“I hate that this is happening to you, Saylor,” Cameron sympathized. “It’s so unfair.”

It wasn’t, but I had people on my side at least.

“Enough about me,” I decided to say as I settled in my seat and got comfortable. “Tell me what’s been going on with you.”

There was a pause, and right away I knew something was up. I could feel Cameron’s unease.