AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“He said I should be careful. Another fall like the one before, and I might not be as lucky.”
What. The. Fuck?
I drew back, not wanting to have my hands on her as my temper spiked. “He said what,” I repeated, low and quiet.
“I asked him what he was implying,” she said, pausing to swallow. “And he told me he was just showing concern for a student.”
Yeah, and I was the tooth fairy.
For real, though, what does she do with all those teeth?
“Did you believe that?” I asked.
She seemed doubtful but also scared to admit it out loud. “I mean, he’s the head of the music department. His reputation is pristine. He’s the one who put me in for a scholarship here, and I’ve never had any trouble with him in the past. So why would it be anything else?”
Why, indeed?
When I didn’t say anything, her hand wrapped around my wrist. “Benji?”
I glanced up, noting the fear and confusion swirling in her eyes. It was the same look she wore a lot in the hospital, and it twisted my guts. Gently pulling from her hold, I lifted her into my lap, tugging the plaid comforter up around us. Resting my chin on the top of her head, I stared across the room at the wall.
“It was probably nothing,” I said, hoping to make her feel better. “But maybe don’t be alone with him for a while, okay?”
“If it was nothing, then why does it matter?”
“Because I’m overprotective and jealous,” I declared.
She snorted but snuggled into my chest.
“How’s your stitches?” I asked, grazing my lips close to where they were. “And your ankle?”
“They’re okay.”
“If they hurt even a little, you have to tell me.”
She hummed in agreement.
“Want me to help you in the shower?”
I felt her smile against me. “Yeah.”
“You are gonna be so clean.” I promised. “You’ll squeak when you walk.”
She laughed.
I didn’t bring up the director again, but he lingered in the back of my mind. Because what he said to my girl was not an implication. It was a threat.
36
Jess
I wasn’t supposed to go back to my job at the music store off campus for a few more days, but when they called and asked if I could cover a shift this afternoon for a sick coworker, I agreed easily.
I wasn’t used to sitting around with idle time. I’d never had it before, and having it now only gave me time to overthink. There was no point in staying home anyway. My memory was back, I knew how to do my job, and I needed the money. Following that line of thought, I pulled out my phone and sent off a few texts to the people I gave piano lessons to.
Hi, it’s Jess. I just wanted to let you know that I’m feeling better and ready to resume lessons. I’m sorry for missing a few, but I hope you still want to continue. If you don’t, just let me know. Otherwise, we can continue to meet at our normally scheduled times.
“Who you texting over there?” Ben asked.
