Page 101 of Colton

“Okay,” she reaches for my glass of water, drinking what’s left of it. When she sets it aside, she takes a seat, and I’m not certain if it’s disappointment on her face or blazing fury. Or both. “You have ten minutes to tell me everything.”

With a deep breath, I start talking. I tell her about most of our relationship, minus the intimate parts, because, well, she can put the pieces together. I only refrain from telling her how boldly I’ve approached Colton until he caved.

She doesn’t interrupt while I’m speaking, and when I start explaining what Sinners and Saints is, her expression darkens. That’s when it clicks for her, and when I tell her in detail why I’ve come here, her hands are clutched together tightly.

By the time I’m done talking, tears are rolling down my cheeks. I’m not outright sobbing, but my heart hurts, and the tears are coming down in waves. I don’t even try to stop them at this point; I blink to make them fall faster.

“I’m not going to be your friend right now, Avalon. I’m going to be your parent,” she says, and I finally wipe the tears with the back of my sleeve. “You fucked up. You’re old and smart enough to know that this kind of relationship isn’t without consequences. Dean aside — who’s equally responsible, but not my child, so I don’t give a fuck — you can’t tell me you’re surprised people found out. Did you truly believe no one would ever find out?”

“I thought no one would find out until I graduate,” I breathe out.

“Then you’re far more naive than I ever gave you credit for, Avalon,” she says, and the words pierce through my chest. “Secrets like this are bound to be discovered, sooner or later. You just had enough luck not to be found out earlier. Have you ever stopped to think what would happen to you if people found out when it started? If it were the beginning of the year, the rest of your days there would’ve been pure hell!”

“I know that!”

“Then why did you act so stupidly?!”

“Why are you judging me?”

“How could I not?!” She yells, and I shut my mouth. “Avalon, I love you more than life itself, but this? This is your own doing. You chose this, and you can’t sit here and cry that your actions have consequences! What did you think I was going to say? Good job, dear! I’m so proud you started a relationship with a man who is almost my age?!”

“No, but I thought you wouldn’t judge me this hard!”

“I’m judging, and I’m angry, Avalon. I’m angry because I know how deeply you’re hurt, and how much you love this man, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s so far up; we can’t even reach him from the bottom of the ladder! That means that all and any consequences will be falling onto you! He’ll find a way out for himself, not because he’s wealthy, but because he’s a man!”

“Mom,” I whisper, feeling the tears slowly forming in my eyes again.

“Don’t,” she says. “You need to sit and think about this. You knew this wouldn’t last forever. Now, you need to figure out how you want to deal with this, and how you want to proceed.”

“Well,” I fiddle with my fingers on my lap, gaze down. “I thought I could get your opinion.”

“You didn’t ask for my opinion when you got with him,” she scoffs, and I flinch. “Isn’t it a bit too late now? Because regardless, you won’t do as I say. I’d tell you your best shot would be to end things with him.”

My eyes snap to hers, and she’s silent for a moment. Then, she closes her eyes, sighs, and shakes her head. When her eyes open again, I see just how disappointed she is in me, and that hurts more than anything else.

“See? Just by looking at you, I know you won’t break things off with him, so asking for my input is useless.”

39

Steven’s office is thrice the size of my own. He’s standing behind his desk, back turned to me. His hands are clasped behind his back, and he’s looking out of the window, not once acknowledging my presence.

I make myself comfortable, take a seat, and lean back in the chair. Steven adores keeping his company in silence, which usually signals he’s displeased. He’s around my height, and he should be turning sixty-five soon.

My finger is tapping against the armrest mindlessly, and his shoulders tense for a moment. I try not to smirk, knowing it’s irritating him. Slowly, he turns to face me, his expression blank, and if it weren’t for the subtle twitching of his jaw, I wouldn’t be able to tell just how pissed he is.

“You’re supposed to be the next headmaster, Colton,” he says, voice as cold as ice. He sits in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him, resting his chin on top. “Tell me, what am I supposed to do now? How do I make an example out of you?”

I raise a brow. “An example? You make it seem as if you’re a father punishing a child for disobedience.”

“Strange how similar that is to our situation,” he drawls. “So, what do you suppose we do? This is the second time this has happened in a single school year, under your watch. To make matters even worse, this time you’re directly involved.”

My jaw clenches. “My private life is none of your concern.”

“True as that may be,” he says, the dark edge in his voice making me slightly agitated. “People are talking. I’m hearing concerns about my ability to lead this Academy, and your actions here directly affect me, Colton. This isn’t a simple or small matter.”

I take a deep breath, struggling not to knock his fake teeth out and be done with all of this. “It’s the end of the year. Any repercussions you may have planned for Ms. Evans will not happen.”

“Oh, is that so?” He leans back, tapping his finger alongside the wide oak table. “You’re protecting her, which is rather interesting. Shouldn’t you be trying to protect yourself now?”