Page 37 of Shattered Pieces

“What are you talking about?” I asked flatly, only making her grin wider.

“C’mon, we all watch the news. It was a big scandal about you being with that celebrity’s son. The Johnson guy. Did he know about the other guys? He must have known about Skeeter, right?”

“I didn’t cheat on anyone, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Are you fake dating the rich dude?” one of the others asked, and I considered stabbing her with my fork.

“No,” I said calmly instead, giving Tilly the stink eye for starting all of this. She managed to look apologetic about it, which was what saved her from being stabbed too.

“Wouldn’t you prefer to tell everyone your truth instead of what the articles and reporters say?” one of the others asked, and I scowled.

“I don’t give a fuck what people think. They can believe what they want, it’s none of their business.”

“Just throw us a bone, Donovan,” she groaned, and I rolled my eyes.

“They knew about each other, yes. There’s your bone.”

Giggles went around the table, and I returned to eating, letting them gossip among themselves about it.

“Donovan,” Miss Jarvis said as she appeared beside the table. “You’re in the library this afternoon.”

At least some school work would make time pass faster.

“Thanks,” I replied, and Tilly frowned.

“What for?”

“My education is calling,” I grumbled, finishing my food and standing. “I’ll see you later for dinner.”

I returned my tray and headed towards the library, finding the warden waiting with a pile of paperwork in front of her.

“You start work in the laundry room tomorrow, but I’ll make sure you get study time. You can come and go as you please in your free time, a guard is always on duty, but you’ll need to ask them to unlock the private rooms for you and get your work. If you wish to take things back to your cell, I’ll allow it, but if you want quiet time alone, you may use the rooms here. Give any work completed to one of the guards and they’ll give it to me,” she instructed, and I took the paperwork and pen.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Are you looking forward to your visitation tomorrow?” she asked, and I gave her a small smile.

“I really am. I keep reaching for my damn phone to call people and then remember I don’t have it.”

“It can be a hard transition. It’s good to see you getting along with the other women today. It can make a world of difference once you have some solid friends.”

“I’ve noticed. Can I sit in a room now and do some of these?” I asked, waiting for her to unlock one of the rooms for me so I could sit in silence and work.

There were cameras in here, so I was able to shut the door and really block the noise out.

I struggled through my Calculus work, the new semester classes messing me up since I hadn’t had time to catch up yet now that subjects had switched, before I was told to hand it in and head to dinner.

How had the afternoon vanished already? I’d lost hours doing school work somehow.

I gave the guard the work I’d completed, taking the rest to my cell so I could finish it later.

Tilly was waiting for me when I emerged from my room, and she instantly cringed.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think⁠—”

“I was hoping to keep my connections to Ty and his friends on the down-low. I didn’t realize my relationships were such public knowledge in here,” I muttered.

“Girl, it’s huge in here. The moment you were arrested, people went nuts with gossip since we knew you’d be coming here. How many are you dating? Can I ask that?”