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Dylan’s father leans in to speak with a soft voice, but we can all still hear him. “This will come back to bite us in the ass. Josh’s family won’t let this rest easily.”
“I’ll take care of it. The case won’t be going to court. I’ll make sure of it.”
Is he suggesting he’ll tamper with evidence?
“I’ll leave you four to Joseph,” my father says, eyeing me in particular. “And I’ll speak to you soon.” I feel uneasy when he rubs my hair like I’m still a kid.
When the door closes, Dean Caruso doesn’t seem too pleased. “You do realize how lucky you are?”
“So we’re definitely off the hook?” Dylan asks, crossing his legs in a way that looks like he’s getting comfortable.
“You wish.” Dylan’s father grabs a stack of papers from his cabinet and throws them all onto our laps. “Ten thousand words on how to make this school a better place.”
“Ten thousand?” Dylan quips.
When he throws the stack on Felix’s lap too, he responds, “Whoa, I didn’t do shit. Why are you giving me flack too?”
“Because it’s about time you boys learned your actions have consequences.”
“Wait, but is that suspension still on, then?” I ask.
“Yes,” he retorts. “Five days remaining. The next infraction will be mandatory community service here, and if you still haven’t learned your fucking lesson, it will be expulsion.”
My eyes widen. “I don’t want to get kicked out.”
This education is the only thing that will get me someplace beyond the fucking Mafia my father is involved in.
“Then make it fucking count,” Dean Caruso replies. He grabs a cigar from the box on his desk and lights it up. “Now get out of my office. All of you.”
We don’t wait a second longer before we all bolt out of there and rush down the stairs, but as he slams the door shut, Dylan quickly grabs Penelope’s hand and spins her around.
“You lied for us,” he whispers.
A brief smile flashes across her face as she whispers, “You killed for me.”
Dylan smirks. “Well, I’ll be fucking damned. There’s my girl.”
Felix towers over both of them, but the look on his face makes me want to take a step back. “What did you just say?”
Penelope gazes at him.
Uh-oh.
Dylan
My phone rings, distracting everyone. Which is good, judging from the lethal look Felix gives me.
I ignore him and put my phone to my ear, answering, “Hello?”
“Hey, my little man.”
Oh fuck. It’s Mom.
I swallow and turn away from the boys. “Hey, what’s up?”
“What’s up? You normally never greet me that way.”
“I know, but I’m not alone,” I hiss into the phone.
Alistair snorts. “Who is it, D?”
I try to wave him off, but he just laces his fingers through mine like he finds it funny. “Cute.”
I throw him a glare.
“Your mom’s calling?” Alistair asks.
“Dylan, I’m throwing a dinner party tonight, and I want you to come,” Mom says. “And don’t tell me you can’t tonight because I know your father has suspended you. You have nothing better to do anyway.”
I frown. “He told you?”
The boys snort behind me, and even Penelope seems amused.
“Is he getting a scolding?” she asks Ali.
“Sounds about right,” Alistair replies.
I try to shush them, but it’s no use.
“Your friends are there with you?” Mom asks. “Bring them over too.”
“What? No, no,” I quickly say. “They don’t like—”
“My food? Nonsense. Bring them,” she says in her stern voice. “I won’t take no for an answer, Dylan.”
Oh God. Why did my father tell her? I’m so fucking embarrassed.
“Mom, I—”
“And bring that girl too I keep hearing in the background.”
I throw a glare at Penelope, who’s giggling like a schoolgirl. She immediately shuts her mouth.
“The more the merrier,” Mom adds.
“You sure Dad approves?” I ask.
“He’s the one who suggested it,” she says. “He just called.”
I roll my eyes. Of course he did. If he can’t punish me with the justice system, he’ll punish me by forcing me to spend “quality time” with my family instead.
“Who’s gonna be there?” I ask.
“Well, all of our friends, of course,” she replies. “Including your friends’ family. So make sure you dress your best. I’ll see you tonight, honey!”
She hangs up before I can even rebuke her words.
Goddammit.
Sighing, I put the phone back into my pocket. The others are still laughing at my misery.
“Yeah, you laugh now.”
“Your mom’s forcing you to come home again?”
I pat Felix on the shoulder. “Yeah, except this time, she’s expecting you and your whole family as well.”
His eyes widen.
“And Penelope, too, of course,” I add, winking.
“What?” Penelope’s eyes widen.
All the color leaves Felix’s face. “What did you tell her?”
“Nothing,” I reply. “Who do you think told her?”
Felix’s fist balls as he turns to look at the staircase where my father’s office is. “Motherfucker …”
“Guess that’s one way to keep us in check,” Alistair jokes.
“Get your fucking smokes out, guys,” I say. “It’s time to pretend we’re regular old boys.”
