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Jake:Getting out class.
Ian:Already left class. Heading to the office.
Coop:Right behind you.
Archie:Tell me she’s there.
Frankie:They want to check me out.
Archie:Do not leave.
Frankie:Wasn’t planning to.
Ian:OMW
Archie:Fuck it, I’m coming.
Jake:Ditto.
Chapter Nine
Don’t Take Me for Granted
“She’s all signed out, Ms. Curtis,” Mrs. Dearborn, the office administrator, stated with a quick smile in my direction. “Have a great rest of your day, Frankie.”
Mom swept a furious look over me, then nodded. “Let’s go, Frankie. Now.”
That tone sent ice down my spine. “I have stuff I have to do today.” Arguing wouldn’t go well, but with the audience, it might buy me some time.
“We’ll take care of it,” Mr. Standish stated as he claimed my backpack where Robbie had set it down, then opened the door. “Let’s go.” His expression was far more neutral, but his eyes were practically frosty.
Gut churning, I glanced at the office staff. Robbie had gone back to his homework and barely seemed to even notice the rest of the room. So the crackling tension was just us.
Got it.
I lifted my phone and scanned the messages, then typed one-handed as fast as I could.
“Frankie,” Mom snapped.
“Just letting Coop know I’m going.”
Not that I planned on going far.
She gave me the curtest of nods, and even dragging my feet, the guys weren’t in the office before we stepped out to between the public doors and finally out the front.
A dark car idled near the curb with a driver.
Ugh.
“Why are you here?” I asked as soon as the main doors slammed shut.
Mr. Standish took another couple of steps, but Mom wheeled on me. “Get in the car, Frankie. We’ll discuss that andeverythingelse.”
“I don’t want to go with you.” It took every ounce of courage I had to push those words out. Inside, I shook like a leaf shredded by a windstorm, but even when Mom glared at me, I didn’t back down.
“I amstillyour mother.”
“Really?” I raised my brows. “How was Europe?”
