“R-really?” Justine said nervously, giving a high-pitched laugh.
Then he kissed her full on the lips.
It was the expression on Justine’s face that made Ava almost puke. Justine looked uncomfortable and excited all at once. She also looked hopeful. Even though she knew it was wrong, she was so entranced she didn’t care.
The camera started to shake. It went out of focus for a moment, and then it was turned around onto the filmmaker. It was Nolan, standing outside Granger’s classroom in the hall. A slow, hostile smirk spread over his face.
“Oooh, teacher,” he cooed into the camera. “You give such good extra credit assignments.” His tone changed abruptly. “Speaking of assignments, I’ve got one or two for you. And if you don’t want this going public, you’d better pay attention.”
Squeak.
Ava shot up for real this time just as Granger’s door opened. She quickly placed his iPhone exactly where he’d left it, then moved back into her seat.
Granger sat in the chair next to her and scooted forward until his face was only a few inches from hers. “Okay, let’s get started,” he said. Then he looked more closely at Ava’s face and frowned. “Are you all right?”
There was no way Ava could be in this room even a moment longer. “Um, actually, I have to go to the bathroom,” she blurted, her words coming out in a rush. She reached for her purse, nearly upending it, she grabbed it so hard.
He pointed to a door down the hall, and she walked quickly toward it, locking the door behind her. She collapsed against it, trying to process what she’d just seen. All those boob shots. All those girls he’d taken advantage of. Justine’s expression. And Nolan. Had Nolan been blackmailing Granger?
The window was open, and a cool breeze broke her out of her trance. On a whim, she opened Granger’s mirrored medicine cabinet. And right there, on the middle shelf, was an orange bottle clearly labeled. LUCAS GRANGER. OXYCONTIN, 20 MGS. TAKE FOR PAIN AS DIRECTED.
Oh. My. God. With shaking hands, Ava grabbed her phone from her purse and snapped a photo of the bottle. Then, heart pounding, she flushed the toilet, turned on the tap, then left the bathroom.
Mr. Granger was sitting at the table, waiting for her.
She forced an apologetic smile on her face. “I am so sorry to do this, but I just got a text from my dad. I have to go.”
Granger stood and stepped a few paces in front of her, blocking her way. “So soon?”
Ava’s breath caught. “We can work on the paper another time, right?”
Granger’s smile was twitchy. “But I made time for you now, Ava. You’re being rude.”
Ava dared to look into his eyes, registering the very unteacherly tone. He seemed totally sure of himself. Not guilty. Not sheepish. He didn’t think he was doing anything wrong.
“M-my father needs me,” she stalled, trying to remind him that she was still a child. With parents. And a father who would kill him.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t at least like to earn some extra credit before you go?” he said suggestively, placing a hand on Ava’s neck.
She pulled away in horror. “I—I have a boyfriend,” she reiterated, her voice cracking.
Granger’s eyes widened comically. “Why, Miss Jalali! What do you think I’m suggesting?”
Which confused Ava even further. She didn’t mean to, but her gaze fell to his phone. She’d seen those photos. She wasn’t suggesting anything that wasn’t already implied.
Granger looked, too, then glanced back at her, seeming to put two and two together. His eyes darkened.
Ava tried to take a step back. “I really need to go.”
Granger’s fingers clamped hard. “I know the rumors about you are true, Ava,” he said, all traces of warmth gone from his tone. “And I have to say, I’m disappointed that you’d do this for other teachers but not for me.”
Time seemed to stop. You’d do this for other teachers but not for me. The words hung in the air, giving voice to the horrible stories Nolan had told long ago. She knew other students had heard them, but teachers? Who hadn’t Nolan told?
Was this why she’d gotten all those As from Granger, because it was all part of his plan to get her to come over? For one horrifying moment, she wondered why the hell she bothered to work so hard. If everyone thought the worst of her anyway, what would one kiss cost her, really, if it meant she’d get an A?
Ava’s blood ran cold. “Those are just rumors,” she whispered. “I wouldn’t—I haven’t—”
Granger gave her a condescending glare. “Ava, you knew exactly what you were doing. So cut the innocent act, okay?”
And then he pulled her toward him, his grip strong. Ava managed to break free and barreled for the door, slipping out without him catching her. She sprinted to her car and slammed the door, revving the engine. Only when she’d made a few turns did she finally pull over, lean forward to rest her forehead on the steering wheel, and burst into tears.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN