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I stuff my phone back into my pocket and shake my head. “No. I’m never too busy when it comes to Eve.”
She takes a step back. “Really, it can wait. You will be returning in a few weeks for Parents’ Weekend, yes?”
Each quarter the school hosts a Parent Weekend, in which all parents and guardians gather for events and whatnot throughout the school’s campus.
“Yes, I will,” I promise. “But if there’s an issue you need to address with me now—”
My phone rings again. He’s been quiet for the past week, but Dean obviously has something to say. I bet it has to do with that article Charlotte sent.
“No, it’s not an issue that we can’t address during that weekend,” Winters says as she heads up the stairs that lead to the front door of the dorm.
With my phone ringing and Ms. Winters getting farther and farther away, I feel stretched thin.
“I’ll be back in a few weeks,” I promise.
“Yes. We’ll see you then.”
I press the ignore button on my phone and pull up the text thread between my Ladybug and me.
Me:I love you. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks for Parents’ Weekend.
A few beats later, Eve responds.
Ladybug:Love you too. Travel safe.
I receive a notification that the rideshare I scheduled to meet me in front of Eve’s dorm is arriving to take me to the airport.
My phone starts ringing again as I reluctantly walk out to meet the driver waiting for me.
“What, Dean?” I seethe as I answer yet another call.
“Where the fuck are you?”
“None of your damn business,” I almost shout. I pause and glance around, remembering where I am.
“You need to get back to Williamsport. There’s something I need you to do.”
“How did you know I wasn’t in Williamsport?” I pause right before I open the car door.
“I guessed,” he replies.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I look up and down the almost empty street. I’m on Eve’s campus, a few yards from the main entrance that’s protected by a large steel gate. The campus is secure, I remind myself.
“Anyway, I know Townsend is in a tailspin from that article.”
The car horn honks, making me startle.
The driver rolls down the window to ask, “Riley?”
I nod. “Yes.”
He pulls off as soon as I close the door behind me.
“That was you?” I ask Dean.
“Of course. I told you I know people. I have a contact at the Williamsport Daily.”
