Arrested Romance (Oak Spring Series Book 2) Page 4

Thirty minutes later Pete was dumping a can of chili in a pot when Mikki and Austin walked into the kitchen. “Hey, guys.” He gave Mikki a quick kiss then turned his attention to Austin. “How was your first day?”

  “It was okay. I have this crazy psycho teacher in science. She has like wild animals walking all over the classroom.”

  Pete raised an eyebrow. “Come on now.”

  “Seriously. I was trying to take notes, and a rabbit ate the eraser off my pencil.” When Pete raised his brow again, Austin said, “I swear. Do you want to see it?” He pulled a pencil, minus half the eraser, out of the side pocket of his backpack and held it up.

  Pete laughed and asked, “Did you finish all your homework?”

  “Yeah, Mikki made me do it at her house.”

  Mikki leaned over the pot and peered inside. “What are we having?”

  “Chili. Is that okay?”

  “That may be enough for Austin, but there won’t be any left for us. You might want to toss another can in there.”

  “Think so?”

  “Oh yeah, trust me. Don’t you remember being a teenage boy?” She dipped her finger in the pot and then stuck it in her mouth.

  Pete reached in the cabinet for a second can.

  “Hand me that macaroni and cheese. I’ll make chili mac,” Mikki said. “You can set the table.”

  Conversation focused on Austin’s first day of school while they ate. Once they had finished, they cleared the table. Pete was putting a pot into the dishwasher when the doorbell rang. He dried his hands off and went to the living room.

  He returned moments later with a tall, slender woman. She had chin-length black hair tucked behind one ear. Her smile was accentuated by her full lips.

  “Austin, this is Mrs. . . .” He turned to the woman and waited.

  “Tanner.”

  “That’s right. This is Mrs. Tanner, and she’ll be tutoring you.” He nodded toward Austin, “This is my nephew, Austin Riley.” He then nodded toward Mikki who was standing at the sink, “And this is Mikki Gray.”

  Mikki smiled at the woman. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you, too.” Julie Tanner focused on the teen. “Austin, I’ve been going through your records. You’ve created quite a mess for yourself, but I’m here to help you fix it.” She walked to the kitchen table and dropped her bag. “Get your books, and we’ll get started.”

  Mikki and Pete walked into the living room. He glanced over his shoulder before taking her into his arms. He gave her a long kiss then sat on the sofa, pulling her down with him. When he kissed her again, his phone rang. He spoke briefly, hung up, and kissed her once more. “Sorry, they need me at the station. Do you mind hanging out here for a while?”

  “Of course not, go ahead.”

  He went to the kitchen door and said, “Sorry to interrupt, but I have to step out for a little while. Mikki is going to stay here in case you need to leave before I get back.”

  “No problem,” Julie said.

  He waved. “Later, Austin.”

  “Yeah, later.”

  Chapter 10

  After Pete left, Mikki went to the kitchen. “Will it bother anyone if I turn on the television?”

  Julie shook her head. “Not me. How about you, Austin?”

  “Nah, I’m okay.”

  Mikki poured herself a glass of water and said, “Okay, I’ll be in there if you need me.”

  An hour later Julie and Austin walked into the living room.

  Mikki stood and looked at her watch. “Are you finished already?”

  Austin collapsed in a recliner. “Finally.”

  “Yes, I think that’s enough for tonight.” Julie turned to Austin and said, “You did great, Austin. If you keep working like that, we’ll have you caught up before you know it. I’ll talk to your uncle about how often he wants me to come. In the meantime, I want you to do a little work each night. I’ll check your progress the next time we meet.”

  “Okay,” he said, his eyes focused on the television.

  She said goodbye to Mikki and was reaching for the door when Pete walked in.

  “Are you leaving?” he said.” He glanced at Austin then back at Julie. “How did it go?”

  “It went well. He’s a bright boy. If he applies himself, he should be back where he needs to be in no time. I’ll get with you about a schedule.” She faced Austin. “It’s going to take hard work, but you can do it, if you want to.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She turned back to Pete. “It was good to see you again, Pete.” She waved to Mikki and said, “It was nice to meet you, Mikki.”

  “You, too,” Mikki said.

  After Julie left, Pete closed the door and sat on the couch, pulling Mikki down beside him. He squeezed her hand and kissed her fingers. “Thanks for staying. This isn’t the way I pictured the night going.”

  “No problem, but I think I’m going to go home and hit the bed. I’ll see you tomorrow, Austin.”

  “Okay, see you.” His eyes stayed on the television.

  As Mikki slipped on her shoes, Pete asked, “Austin, what did you think about Mrs. Tanner?”

  “She was okay. You didn’t tell me she was your old girlfriend.”

  Mikki looked over her shoulder. Girlfriend?

  “What are you talking about?” Pete said.

  Austin stood and stretched. “She told me you guys went to school together and used to date.” He yawned and said, “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.” He started down the hall.

  Pete looked from the retreating boy to Mikki. “We didn’t date.”

  “Apparently, she thinks you did.”

  Chapter 11

  Austin eyed the food cart and listened to his stomach growl. A deep voice beside him said, “The hot dogs aren’t bad, if you put enough mustard on them. It beats that other crap they’re serving.” He recognized Frankie Wingfield from his world history class.

  Austin took two hot dogs and some french fries then moved down the line. Frankie did the same. When they stopped to get their drinks, Frankie asked, “Where’s Page?”

  “Student council meeting.”

  “Want to join us?” Frankie pointed his chin toward a group of boys near the back of the room.

  Austin glanced at the table where he and Page usually sat. Several of the regulars were missing. Page had explained the day before that a number of them were on the student council and that they would all be in the meeting. Maybe this will be a good time to find out what is going on between Virgil and these guys. “Yeah, I guess.” He let the teen step in front of him and lead the way.

  “Hey guys, listen up. This here is Austin.”

  Austin recognized a few of the guys from his classes. Some he knew by name, like Rolly, Virgil, and Tye. A couple of them mumbled hello, and one asked, “Where’s Page?”

  “She’s in a student council meeting,” he said with pride.

  “She can counsel me any time,” a dark-haired, gangly boy said. Those sitting around him chortled. Austin stared at his food.

  “So, Austin, are you two serious?” Tye asked.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  There was a snicker from the end of the table.

  The boys began to talk among themselves. Austin ate his food and listened. One of them asked, “Why weren’t you in science this morning, Frankie?”

  “Dipwad had me in the office, again,” the red-headed teen answered.

  “Oh yeah? What now? Was he wanting your momma’s phone number?”

  “No, punk face, he caught me skipping again. Man, he’s such a moron.”

  There was more teasing and talking, until Frankie said, “Hey, Riley, did I see the sheriff drop you off the other day? Are you like a narc
or snitch of some kind?” Everyone stared at him.

  “He’s my uncle.”

  “No kidding?” Frankie said. The boys exchanged glances with each other. “So, do you like get to hang out at the sheriff station and ride along in the cop car? Does he let you turn on the siren and stuff?” They all snickered again.

  “No.”

  “Are you like a junior cop in training or something?” Frankie asked.

  “No, I’m just staying with him for a while.”

  Tye said, “Is he as hard-assed at home as he is on the job? He pulled me and some buddies over one night and was a real jerk. Called my old man and made him come and get me because I was underage. And he made us pour out every drop of beer, right there on the side of the road. Even the cans we hadn’t opened yet. Can you believe that?” He stuffed some fries in his mouth and shook his head. “What a waste.”

  Everyone nodded in agreement. Austin took a large bite of his hot dog.

  Frankie sat back and put a hand on Austin’s shoulder. “Careful guys. Austin here might run home and tell his big, bad uncle sheriff everything we’re saying about him.”

  The boys at the table grew quiet and glared at Austin. “Is that right, Riley? Are you going to tell Uncle Sheriff what your friends really think about him?” Tye asked.

  Frankie’s hand remained on his shoulder. Austin swallowed hard and forced a snort. “Hell no. I don’t tell him anything.”

  “That’s real good to know,” Frankie said. He studied Austin a moment longer then took a bite of his hamburger.

  The group finished eating and went outside. They headed toward a back corner of the yard, and Austin tagged along. “Want a smoke?” Tye asked, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket. He peeked over his shoulder, lit it, and inhaled.

  “Yeah, give it here,” Frankie said. He also took a drag. The group passed the cigarette around, watching to make sure they weren’t spotted. When it came to Austin, he just held it.

  “Hey, hurry up before it burns down,” the kid next to him said. Austin tried to pass it to him, but the boy said, “Go ahead and take your turn first.”

  Austin took a pull off the cigarette and began to cough. Smoke billowed out of his mouth and nose. Frankie slapped him on the back. “Well, what do you know guys? We have us a virgin.”

  Austin shrugged Frankie’s hand away. “No, I just choked. That’s all.” When the bell rang, Austin handed the cigarette to the next boy who pinched off the lit end and stuffed the remainder in his pocket.

  When Austin went to science class, he saw Page standing beside her desk. She was watching the door and waved when she spotted him. “Hi, sorry I––” She fanned the air and sniffed. “Have you been smoking?”

  “No. Well, one drag. That’s all. It’s no big deal.”

  “Well, it is to me. That’s gross.” She sat down and turned away from him. When Mrs. Littman told the students to divide into groups, Page paired up with a girl sitting close to her. Austin had to work with a boy who smelled like he had extra onions for lunch.

  After class, he tried to talk to her, but she left the room before he could catch up. He stood in the hall and watched her walk away. Man, she is really upset. I should have known she wouldn’t like that kind of stuff. She’s not that kind of girl. I can’t believe I did something so dumb! Josh Walker punched his shoulder and said, “Hey, dude, I didn’t see you at lunch today.”

  Austin’s eyes followed Page until she turned a corner. “Yeah, maybe tomorrow.” He and Josh joined the stream of kids who were headed to their next classes. He didn’t see Page the rest of the day.

  Chapter 12

  The next morning Austin found Page talking to a group of girls in the hall. He stopped beside her and said, “Hi.”

  “Hey.” They started down the hall toward their lockers.

  “I’m sorry about yesterday.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  “I don’t smoke.”

  “I hope not. I hate that, and it’s not good for you.”

  She was opening her locker when Frankie nudged Austin. “Hey, buddy.” He eyed the girl digging in the locker. “Hi, Page.”

  Page continued searching in her locker. “Hello, Frankie,” she mumbled.

  He turned to Austin. “Are you going to join us for lunch again today?”

  Austin glanced at Page. “Well, I was––”

  Page slammed her locker. “I need to go to class. Bye, Austin.”

  Frankie raised his voice and called after her, “Bye, Page.” When she ignored him, he elbowed Austin. “Looks like your woman has you on a pretty short leash.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “She’s already telling you who you can eat with and who you can have as friends.”

  “No, she isn’t.”

  “Seems that way to me.” He glanced at Rolly and Tye beside him. “Did it look that way to you guys?”

  “Yep. She stuck that snooty little nose of hers in the air the minute we walked up,” Rolly said.

  Austin watched Page disappear into the crowd of students.

  “Are you going to let some skirt boss you around?” Frankie nudged Tye. “The next thing you know she’ll be making him wear a collar so she can lead him around like a puppy. Are you her little lap dog, Riley?”

  The three boys elbowed each other and laughed.

  “Maybe, instead of Riley, we should call him Rover,” Tye said.

  Austin walked away while the boys behind him made barking sounds and jeered.

  By third period, the teasing had escalated throughout the school. Austin sat hunched in his seat, avoiding eye contact with everyone. The bell rang, and the class began to file out of the room. Page was approaching when he stepped into the hall. Before she reached him, Frankie slipped an arm around his shoulder.

  “So, what’s it going to be, Rover? You going to join us and show her who’s boss, or are you going to let her tell you where you can eat?” He leaned toward Austin and barked.

  Page stopped and asked, “Are you going to lunch, Austin?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good, I’m starving. Let’s go.”

  Tye made a barking noise behind him. Frankie kept his arm around Austin’s shoulder and barked again. Others around them joined in. Page and Austin studied the crowd.

  Austin shrugged Frankie’s arm off. He was being forced to make a decision, in front of everyone, and he didn’t like it. If I go with Page I’ll become the laughing stock of the school. I’ll explain later. “I’m going to eat with Frankie today. I’ll see you after lunch.” He trudged off, leaving Page standing in the hall.

  The boys filled their trays then took their food and sat at their regular table. Austin played with his lunch. When Page passed, she didn’t acknowledge him. After Frankie and the rest of the boys were finished, they stood. Tye jabbed him in the arm and said, “Come on, Riley. Let’s go.” Austin dumped his uneaten food and followed the group outside. As they made their way across the school yard, he searched for Page, but didn’t see her.

  Once the boys reached the corner, Tye pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. Frankie said, “Come on, man, pass it around.” Tye blew smoke out of his nose and handed it to Rolly. When it came to Austin, he tried to pass it to Frankie.

  “Go ahead,” Frankie said.

  Austin shook his head. “Not today.”

  “What’s wrong? Afraid Princess Page will be mad at you?” He leaned close and barked twice.

  Austin shrugged him away, took a drag, and then gave him the cigarette. He covered his mouth and tried to hide his cough.

  “All right, boys. Put that out and come with me.”

  Austin coughed again when he saw Mr. Haverton, one of the science teachers. “Oh, no,” he said with a moan. Now Page
is really going to hate me.

  “Shit,” Frankie said under his breath. He threw the cigarette on the ground and stomped on it. “Dipwad is just waiting for an excuse to kick my ass out of school.”

  Tye stuck his hands in his pockets and kicked the dirt. “Damn.”

  Mr. Haverton pointed to the ground. “Pick up that cigarette, Frankie, and watch your language. That goes for all of you boys. You’re in enough trouble as it is.”

  The group followed the teacher to the office. Austin sat in the lobby with the rest of the boys, waiting for Mr. Dipton to call him back.

  Fifteen minutes later Page walked into the room and handed a sheet of paper to the school secretary. “Mrs. Ferguson asked me to give this to you.” She turned to leave and noticed Austin sitting in the chair. Her eyes went to the other boys then back to him. He saw the disappointment on her face. She started to speak but shook her head and walked out. Oh man, she’s never going to talk to me again.

  Chapter 13

  Mikki had just placed the second sack of groceries on the kitchen counter when her phone rang. She put it on speaker, pulled a box of cereal out of the bag, and said, “Hello.”

  “Mikki Gray, please.”

  “This is she.”

  “Ms. Gray, this is Allen Dipton, the principal at Oak Springs Junior High. I’m sorry to bother you, but your name was listed as an alternate contact for Austin Riley. I tried to call Sheriff Foster, but he’s unavailable.”

  “What’s wrong? Is Austin okay?”

  “Yes, ma’am, he’s fine, but I’m afraid we have a problem. Can you come to the school?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll be there in ten minutes.” She tossed the butter and a jar of strawberry jelly in the refrigerator and grabbed her purse.

  A short time later she walked into the school office and saw Austin sitting in the corner. His legs were stretched out in front of him, and his hands were buried in his pockets. He was staring at his shoes. She went to the desk and gave the secretary her name.