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Jarret
Jarret stepped through the doors of River Run High, and his stomach soured. Having had a tutor up until high school, he’d liked going to school, getting away from home, and being with kids his age. Today, however, he did not want to be here. In fact, if he could have a tutor again and avoid the gossip . . .
“Problem?” Roland walked with him and must’ve noticed his disturbed expression.
“No. Scram.” Jarret took a deep breath and headed down the hall for his locker.
Kids crowded the halls. He knew at least half of the ones he passed. Most gave him a nod or a hey. Another third gave him strange looks as if they didn’t recognize him, or didn’t expect him to return . . . or something.
He checked his fly.
A few steps from his locker, his gaze traveled to the end of the hall to where three girls stood in a circle. Only one of them mattered to him. Zoe. Her shiny black hair hung halfway down her back and bounced as she shook her head. Her bare slender arms moved gracefully when she gestured.
He couldn’t wait to hold her. She’d be surprised to see him. They had gotten home late, so he hadn’t called her yet. He passed his locker and strutted a little faster, deciding to see her first.
Then she turned, and he stopped dead.
Zoe wore a sleeveless purple shirt that fit snugly around her big rounded belly. No one would doubt she was pregnant. Was she crazy? How did she get so big in just one month?
Jarret shrunk back.
Roland came up to him. Hadn’t he gone down the hall a minute ago? His gaze seemed fixed on something in the distance behind Jarret. One of his eyes narrowed. He combed his fingers through his hair. “I wonder what he’s doing here.”
Jarret peered over his shoulder. The blood drained from his face, neck, body . . . His life flashed before his eyes. “What’s he doing here?”
Papa stood by the door to the principal’s office, talking to . . . to the principal. If Papa were to turn around, he’d see them. If he were to really look, he’d see Zoe.
“Yeah,” Roland said, “that’s what I said.”
Keefe joined them in the middle of the hall. “What’s up? What’s the matter with you two?” He turned and looked in the same direction. “So Papa’s here. Is that a problem? Let’s go see what’s up.”
“Uh-uh.”
Realization flashed in Keefe’s eyes. “You didn’t tell him? You said you told him. What did you and Papa talk about in the motor home?”
“I lied. I told you guys that I confessed so you’d leave me alone.” He spoke through gritted teeth. “Of course I didn’t tell him. We talked about Miss Meadows.”
“Miss Meadows?” Keefe said.
“Yeah. I said we all knew they liked each other, and that you and Roland elected me to talk to him about it.”
Mouth open, Keefe shook his head. “What’d you say about it?”
“Yeah.” Roland folded his arms and narrowed his eyes.
Jarret gave a crooked grin. “I said we didn’t like it. Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .” He pushed Keefe out of the way so he could get to Zoe.
Papa stood at one end of the hallway and Zoe at the other. If he could get her to duck into a classroom for a minute or so—
Jarret dashed down the hall.
Zoe smiled when she saw him coming, her look soon changing to one of confusion. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you running?”
He forced a smile but it felt all wrong. Grabbing her arm, he tried to drag her along, but she wriggled free.
“What are you doing?” She put her hands on her hips.
Boy, was her belly big.
“Aren’t you even going to say hello and tell me how you missed me? We haven’t seen each other in—”
“I’ll tell you over here.” He felt his eyes bugging, but he couldn’t control it. He darted into the nearest classroom, hoping she’d do the same. “Come on, come on, come on,” he muttered, waiting a few long seconds.
She finally appeared in the doorway.
He couldn’t help but gawk at her belly. “You look big.”
“Wow. Did you think I wouldn’t? I’m due in a little over a month.” Arms folded and agitation showing in her every move, she stomped to the front of the empty classroom and examined the white board.
“I, uh, I missed you.” What else had she told him to say?
“Really?” She didn’t sound convinced.
Papa had to have seen her. He saw her. He saw her. Jarret’s mouth went dry.