Push and Shove

  That’s why the biting could be done with North. Why they kissed my cheek after I kissed them. Why hadn’t I realized it before? The only one holding back was me.

  He huffed and then released my face and snuggled closer. “I’ll have to confess to Owen about it, but I’m pretty sure he’ll just ground me.”

  That started me giggling again. I thought he was teasing. I couldn’t imagine Dr. Green being grounded.

  His shoulders shook and he started laughing but then pulled back. “No,” he said. “Not again.”

  Before I could respond, he dropped his head and his lips covered mine. Much more confident this time. He didn’t wait for me to move my mouth. He surrounded my lips with his, and applied pressure. He suckled at my lips, released, gave me a quick peck and then dove in again with his lips open.

  This time, I closed my eyes and I let him do what he wanted. I wanted to absorb every moment. And then I felt that I wasn’t giving back, so I tried to mimic. His ginger scent filled my nose, sweet and lemony. His arm under my neck curled over, until the tips of his fingers traced along my jaw.

  His other hand rested against my hip. At that moment, my mind stopped thinking about his lips and focused on his hand. He only held me by the hip, but part of his hand covered the hem of my underwear underneath the T-shirt dress. Did he know? Could he feel it?

  His lips parted again, taking my lower lip into his for a moment and threatening to distract me again. His hand from my hip slid up, following the curve of my waist and then resting at the small of my back, warming with his palm. He was enveloping me into him, and I welcomed every kiss and touch. All the cravings I’d been feeling released inside of me, and everything he had to give me still didn’t feel like enough. The more he kissed, the more I wanted, and I wanted to figure out how to kiss back so I could keep up. I tried, doing my best, puckering my lips, parting them when he parted his.

  He slowed a little, like he was trying to show me.

  “Dr. Green,” called Mr. Blackbourne from the hallway. “Miss Sorenson?”

  My heart struck in a panic. Getting caught like this by Mr. Blackbourne didn’t seem like a good idea.

  Dr. Green released me, sitting up quickly. He shoved his fingers through his hair. “We’re in here,” he said.

  I adjusted myself, getting up into a kneel on the bed. I applied the back of my hand to my mouth, wiping it as if he might be able to see some mark left on me by Dr. Green.

  Mr. Blackbourne peeked in from the hall. A smooth eyebrow rose. “I believe everything’s ready.” His eyes studied the room, Dr. Green and then his gaze locked and remained with me.

  “Sorry,” Dr. Green said. “Was just showing her around.”

  “Miss Sorenson,” Mr. Blackbourne said, seeming to ignore Dr. Green. “Are you all right?”

  It was the second time he’d asked me. I held back my trembling and nodded quietly, afraid to speak and show I wasn’t fine. I felt like a mess inside. Scared he’d know what we’d been up to and would disapprove. Dr. Green would get into trouble. Still, I wished Mr. Blackbourne would leave for the evening so I could go back a few moments and continue what Dr. Green had been doing.

  I really hated that last thought, because a deeper, secret part of me yearned for Mr. Blackbourne’s approval. I wanted him here, too.

  “Would you like to dress for dinner?” he asked.

  “I, uh...” I wanted to answer him plainly, but the question confused me. I wasn’t sure what he was asking.

  “I believe Mr. Coleman prepared an outfit for you. It should be in your bag. Why don’t you put it on and we’ll meet you downstairs?”

  From his tone, I believed this was more of a demand rather than a request. I nodded curtly.

  He glanced again at Dr. Green. There was some silent communication, but Dr. Green stepped around the bed.

  “There’s a bathroom over there,” Dr. Green said, pointing to a door on the other side of the bed. He shared a slight smile with me before he disappeared out the door.

  Mr. Blackbourne paused for only a moment, sharing a look with me. I tried to understand it, but it was completely unreadable. Maybe because I was nervous about the situation, I wasn’t picking up on his mood. Did he overhear? Was he upset somehow that Dr. Green had broken their rule?

  Mr. Blackbourne backed out, closing the door.

  When I was alone and could finally breathe, I fell back on the bed. If being grounded was to force me to take it easy and rest, I was so far from relaxed. Excited. Nervous. Jumbled. How was I ever going to get out from being grounded like this?

  And did I really want to?

  DINNER FOR THREE

  The outfit Gabriel had prepared was one of the longer skirts he’d bought for me, along with a soft gray blouse and ballet flats. I used the bathroom mirror to reapply makeup to my neck. I was brushing my hair and started to twist it into a clip like I was used to, but Gabriel’s voice echoed in my thoughts telling me to leave it.

  I couldn’t stop thinking about the rule. So the boys promised each other they wouldn’t step over that line and kiss me. The way Dr. Green explained it, it was almost like he’d expected them to break it sooner, and it was okay if I got them to do so now.

  The boys had made me feel it was more serious than that. Dr. Green passed it off so easily.

  Why was this so complicated? I didn’t fault them for talking about it and being concerned. Hadn’t I, without asking them, wondered and worried what the others would think if I was kissing one or the other? Didn’t I hold back from telling them what I really wanted when I became concerned with how others would feel?

  I couldn’t blame them for not talking about it with me, because I was the one not talking about it. It felt like everyone else was talking, and I kept myself out of the discussion because I never opened up about any of it. I realized now that may have been my mistake all along. Did I really trust them? If I did, I should be able to tell Kota I wanted to kiss him. Or Nathan. Or Luke. Or any of the boys. I should be able to tell them what the others were doing. The secrets weighed the heaviest.

  I didn’t even want to consider the fact that some of them seemed so okay with this kissing among everyone. What was happening to us?

  I brushed my hair out again and when I thought I couldn’t stall any longer, I made my way out of the bedroom and down the hall.

  Downstairs, the air had changed. Smokey. There were white stick candles in silver candleholders on the dining room table. Each one was lit and complemented the soft lighting from other sources in the room.

  Three places were set at the head of a long table. Serving dishes were filled with spaghetti, salad, French bread and a fruit salad. There were cloth napkins and fancy water glasses and multiple pieces of silverware.

  I hovered in the entryway, feeling the heat flushing across my face. It was an enchanting set up, but I felt completely out of my element. I’d only read about things like this.

  Mr. Blackbourne stood by the table with Dr. Green. They had their heads tucked together and were chatting quietly. Dr. Green had buttoned his shirt, tucked it in and put on a tie.

  When they spotted me, Mr. Blackbourne immediately went for the chair to the right of the head of the table, pulling it out. He looked at me expectantly.

  This was supposed to be relaxing? My stomach was in knots. Which fork was I supposed to use? How was I going to make it through dinner with Mr. Blackbourne’s critical gaze on my every move? I was having a hard time not falling to pieces just standing here.

  I stepped up slowly, sitting carefully where he was directing me. He tucked my chair in. I didn’t dare touch my lip even though my finger twitched to do it. Wasn’t there a thing about elbows at the table? I planted my palms in my lap and tried to not appear as intimidated as I felt.

  Dr. Green sat at the head of the table. Mr. Blackbourne sat across from me.

  Dr. Green immediately unfolded his napkin and dropped it into his lap. “I like these candles,” he said. “How come we never use them?”
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  “If you want them,” Mr. Blackbourne said, “take them out and use them. We can get more.”

  “Do you two have dinner together often?” I asked.

  “It’s a convenient way to compare daily notes,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “Speaking of which, we need yours.”

  That was a cue to spill it. Relieved to have something to talk about, I recounted my day while Dr. Green served, and while Mr. Blackbourne occasionally assisted where appropriate. They started eating and I picked at my own food, but found little opportunity to eat when I was trying to relay information. I got them up to date on Mr. Crowley as well as the thing with Jade and Rocky.

  Mr. Blackbourne kept his left hand planted in his lap, twirling his spaghetti against the side of his plate, collecting only a few strands for a small bite. Dr. Green twirled his spaghetti, using a spoon as a holder, catching a lot and then biting loose anything that was too much for his mouth. I swayed between doing a little of each, trying to follow examples but finding their differences hard to mimic.

  Mr. Blackbourne patted the cloth napkin at his lips. “I appreciate the effort you put into following Mr. Crowley, but in the future, I hope you won’t. It’s highly likely Mr. Hendricks had told him about you. He may not recognize you now, but he will.”

  Dr. Green tore at the bread with his fingers, eating tiny bites. “That was some incredible instinct from her, you have to admit.”

  “It was a good catch, but now that we’re closer to solving who we’re up against, we’re still not sure exactly what they’re up to.”

  “It’s school funds,” Dr. Green said. “We knew that from the start. We just don’t know which ones. Or where it’s going.”

  Mr. Blackbourne nodded. “It’s something that passes by Mr. Crowley’s desk. Since it involves Mr. Hendricks, it’s specific to Ashley Waters. But if the accounting paperwork is fraudulent, we need to figure out which documents were falsified. We need to know how they’re shifting so much money without anyone noticing, not even the bank.”

  “We’ve been through the paperwork,” Dr. Green said. He sat back, almost tilting on the back legs. “We’ve been through the accounts. You saw them yourself. It didn’t look like anything was missing.”

  “Something was missing,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “It has to be big. It might be multiple things. We’ll have to research those numbers on the napkin she collected. However much we’re talking about, it has to be enough that three men can disappear without a trace next year, leaving us all looking like idiots if we don’t figure it out.”

  “Well, we’re on the right trail, now,” said Dr. Green. “And now we have to look at what they could have compromised that would have happened today. What kind of money could have been moved in an afternoon that would require Hendricks and Crowley to have an alibi elsewhere? We’ve spent so much time running after McCoy thinking he was involved. And since he’s run off...”

  Mr. Blackbourne planted both palms on the table. “Dr. Green,” he said sharply.

  I stilled my fork, catching some silent communication between the two of them. There was something off with Mr. McCoy. My heart fluttered, catching what they possibly meant. I knew he was running around somewhere, because I’d seen him myself. There was something they weren’t telling me. Academy secrets?

  Dr. Green glanced at me, smiled and winked to dispel the awkward moment. He took another bite of bread, effectively ending the conversation.

  The table was quiet for a moment, until Mr. Blackbourne shifted, taking out his cell phone.

  “No cell phones at the table,” Dr. Green recited.

  Mr. Blackbourne shot him a look like he knew better, pushing the button on the phone.

  Dr. Green leaned in to me to whisper while Mr. Blackbourne listened. “That’s a lie. Cell phones around here take precedence. Just giving him a hard time.”

  “I could tell,” I said.

  Mr. Blackbourne frowned and then pulled the phone away from his head. He placed it on the table and pushed the button to put the call on speaker.

  “Say it again,” Mr. Blackbourne said, and his eyes focused on me, holding my attention.

  “I was wondering if you could put in a call to my mom’s hospital,” Kota said. “She’s taking another shift covering for people the manager took off the schedule. I haven’t seen her in two days because she’s been working.”

  “New manager?” Dr. Green asked.

  “Yeah,” Kota said. “Sounds like a power play. Someone with a fresh MBA trying to cut funds and make a name for herself. There’s talk people are going to be fired, and they’re understaffed as it is.”

  “We’ll get it taken care of.”

  “I don’t have any favors left,” Kota said.

  I glanced at Dr. Green. Favors?

  Dr. Green shook his head quietly.

  “We’re well aware,” Mr. Blackbourne said to the phone. “Anything else we need to know about?”

  “Nathan is at Sang’s for the night. His father was released and seems to be sleeping right now.”

  “Keep an eye from a distance,” Dr. Green said.

  “Will do. I was able to get a good look at the driver of the black car. Another teacher, I’m pretty sure. I don’t know the name but will tomorrow. I’ll comb the school records for an ID.”

  “Start with the list Miss Sorenson found,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

  There was silence. “Gabriel may stay with Victor tonight.”

  “It’s happening more lately,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

  “Pam’s got a new boyfriend. She’s drinking a lot.”

  Again I looked at Dr. Green. Pam, Gabriel’s stepmom? And drinking? It didn’t sound good. Was Gabriel going to be okay? How come I didn’t know about this? Is this why he wanted to move out?

  Mr. Blackbourne put a fingertip to his eyebrow and slid it across. “We’ll send someone to her beauty shop when she’s there. Maybe we can pick up some information, and encourage her friends to try to sober her up more. If that doesn’t work, maybe a DUI will remind her.”

  My jaw dropped. DUI? He could send the police after her to issue a ticket? And how? Why?

  “Marie’s at home. Danielle’s at her house. Nothing new about the incident. They still aren’t talking about it. I think that’s it,” Kota said. There was a pause. “Sang’s there?”

  “She’s right here,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

  Another long pause. “Listening?”

  “You’re fine,” Mr. Blackbourne said.

  “Anything I need to know?” Kota asked.

  “Gathering details, but you know the important items. I’ll fill you in later tonight. I still have a few more phone calls to make.”

  Kota said goodbye and hung up. Mr. Blackbourne retrieved his phone, tucking it into his pocket.

  So Kota did check-ins with Mr. Blackbourne on what the others were up to, including his mother and the others’ parents. Mr. Blackbourne was in charge, but Kota kept tabs on everyone. It was interesting to see how they worked together.

  I had so many questions, I didn’t know where to start, but Dr. Green spoke before I got the chance. “So which country club did he take you to, anyway?”

  “The... Rivertowne?” I checked with Mr. Blackbourne to make sure I was correct and he nodded in approval.

  “Aw,” said Dr. Green. “I wanted to take her to that one.”

  My heart soared as he mentioned this, but my gaze was locked on Mr. Blackbourne, looking for his reaction to Dr. Green admitting that he wanted to take me somewhere, like on a date.

  “You can still take her,” said Mr. Blackbourne, focusing on his food. “We weren’t there to play and she didn’t see much.”

  He approved? The way he said it, it almost sounded encouraging.

  “Wait, is that the one on the island?” Dr. Green asked.

  “Mount Pleasant.”

  “Oh, never mind,” he said. “I don’t like that one. Too snooty.”

  “I believe that’s the point of country clubs,”
Mr. Blackbourne said. “Their purpose is to sell exclusivity.”

  “Well, that one’s the worst. I tried to just walk into the front foyer years ago and they wouldn’t let me get a foot in the door.”

  Mr. Blackbourne’s mouth dipped slightly. “You were sixteen, wearing ripped jeans and you had a cigarette behind your ear.”

  Dr. Green rolled his eyes. “Still, it’s stupid to have a dress code in a place where you’re supposed to relax.”

  “I can’t believe you’d complain about a place having a standard.”

  “Yeah, well, the other ones don’t have dress codes. Not like that. They’d at least let you change and offer you a sports coat.”

  “The hospital has a dress code.”

  “The only dress code there is I have to wear a white coat. And I can understand that one. If I don’t wear it, no one knows I’m a doctor.”

  “And you like the white coat.”

  Dr. Green’s grin broadened. “I do like the white coat.”

  It was easy to imagine the two of them spending nights at dinner having discussions about the Academy, the school, perhaps the boys and this kind of thing. They talked like they’ve known each other for a long time. Did Kota often call during this time and fill them in? Was this normal for them? This felt different now, like I was being included. I liked that.

  Mr. Blackbourne’s attention moved to my face and he took on a strange expression like he was trying to read what I was thinking. I swallowed, trying to look complacent.

  “This reminds me,” Mr. Blackbourne said. “I believe we’ve found a new vitamin for you.”

  “Have you?” I asked, although I wasn’t too thrilled with the idea.

  “It seems a small percentage of the population has similar issues with different types of vitamins. I haven’t come across any official studies, but reports from individuals suggest they’ve tried different things. Switching brands works sometimes.”

  He continued talking about what he discovered about vitamins. I was listening, because when Mr. Blackbourne spoke, he was enchanting. I felt compelled to absorb every word.