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“Yeah, you will,” I tease, murmuring a thank you when he holds the door open for me as we enter the dining hall. “I thought you had to leave this morning.”
“I’m grabbing something to eat before we go.” He slows his pace so I can keep up with him. “The rest of the team is going to show up at any minute so I wanted to beat them and get the best selection.”
A laugh escapes me. “Sounds like a solid strategy.”
“You should grab something too before they all barge in here,” he encourages.
I get my usual bagel order and watch as Rhett piles a variety of food—including a breakfast burrito, a cup of mixed fruit, a banana, a blueberry muffin and two small cartons of chocolate milk—onto his tray. We’re headed to the checkout line, me laughing at whatever Rhett is saying because he is extremely entertaining, when we both hear someone call out his name.
It’s Headmaster Westscott, approaching us with an affable smile on his face, his attention all for Rhett.
“Ready for tonight’s game?” Westscott slaps Rhett on the back, his attention going to the overflowing tray Rhett is carrying. An amused smile curves his lips. “Looks like you’re gathering resources.”
“That’s one way to put it.” Rhett sends me a quick look. “You know Willow Lancaster, right?”
Westscott barely looks at me. “Of course, I do. Nice to see you again, Willow.”
“You too,” I murmur, surprised at how dismissive he is of me when he resumes his conversation with Rhett. I’m not used to that kind of treatment at Lancaster Prep.
“Do you mind giving us some privacy?” Westscott asks me once we’ve checked out with our meals. “I’d like to speak to Rhett here one-on-one.”
“Of course.” I’m about to say something to Rhett but Westscott grabs his arm and steers him away from me, leaving me standing there alone.
I watch them go, Rhett glancing over his shoulder with an apologetic smile, his gaze practically pleading with me to understand. Which I totally do. He has nothing to do with this. Westscott was the one who pulled him away from me. So rude.
I wonder what his problem is.
“Hey, Willow.”
I turn to see my brother coming toward me, his tray over-flowing with as much food as Rhett’s. “Hi, Row. I didn’t see you come in.”
“Too busy talking to Rhett and Westscott.” Row smiles, and I think for about the hundredth time that my brother looks almost exactly like my dad. Only difference is he doesn’t have the Lancaster blue eyes. They’re green, like our mom’s.
“He was weird to me.” When Row frowns, I add, “Headmaster Westscott.”
“What do you mean?”
“He barely acknowledged me. Was downright dismissive.”
“Westscott isn’t that impressed with the Lancaster name, if that’s what you’re referring to.” Row shrugs one broad shoulder. “Don’t take it personally.”
Ugh, we’re so spoiled, expecting people to bow down to us because we’re Lancasters. I don’t actually feel that way, but I am surprised when something like this happens.
“Besides, he’s obsessed with the football team, and Rhett in particular. He’s all about winning,” Row further explains. “And he loves that Rhett is too.”
Odd. For some reason, I don’t like hearing that Westscott is obsessed with Rhett. Seems weird. And I’m still not over how Westscott treated me either. My gut feeling says there’s something going on with his behavior toward me.
And I always trust my gut.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Willow
I receive a message notification from Headmaster Westscott via our school app first thing Monday morning. It was sent before I even woke up, at five in the morning, and I frown when I read it, my head still fuzzy from sleep.
Miss Lancaster, please come to my office before school begins. I would like to have a word with you.
Why does he want to talk to me? I feel like I’m in trouble and I haven’t done a thing.
