Page 24 of Antagonist

“Hence the meeting. We need to gain support from more parents.”

“We?” Liv asks.

“Mr. Bradford asked me and another parent to lead the team,” I say. “Not that he’ll probably even turn up, the stuck-up brute.”

“What was that?” Liv asks.

“What was what?”

I glance at my friends, and they’re both staring at me with raised eyebrows.

“It’s nothing.”

“Doesn’t sound like it,” they say simultaneously.

“Maybe you twoshouldget married since you’re now sounding the same and all. I’m going to speak to other people. Less nosy people.”

“Uh-huh. You do that, honey,” Liv says in a voice that reminds me she also bakes the best cookies in the world and she’ll set a trap for me next time I’m at Lovely Buns.

I see Theo and Melodie come in, so I beeline for them.

They wave and point at a group of free chairs.

“So this is really happening,” Melodie says.

“I’m with you, Fletch. Those wenches can suck my dick if they think we’ll let them have another boring fair,” Theo says, and Melodie nods.

“Do you have any ideas for the fair?” I ask.

The weekend was a good time to interrogate the target audience. George told me all the things he wants at the fair, and while I’m not sure we can have a live giraffe to pet, I think his idea of a small race track on the school grounds could work if we can get our hands on the right stuff.

“A few,” Melodie says. “Sasha wants to do outdoorsy stuff like a fun run.”

“Beth suggested a painting class where people can paint the rainbow flag and learn the meaning behind all the colors.”

My artist’s heart soars with the idea. “I love that idea, Theo. I can teach that class. Or maybe my friend, Arlo. I’m sure we can get supplies from Birchcraft. I’ll speak to Sage about it.” I gasp as an idea hits me. “Or…how about a mural. The school doesn't have one yet. I could come up with a design, paint the outline on the wall, and get the children and parents to paint it…or something. We can work on it.”

“I like that,” Theo says.

Melodie straightens in her chair, and I follow her line of sight.

“God, he’s something to look at. If nothing else good happens tonight, I've already got my money’s worth,” Theo says.

“You didn’t pay for the meeting,” I say, keeping my eyes on Harrison, who’s just arrived.

His eyes skate over the room as if he’s looking for someone. I raise my hand.

Harrison acknowledges my presence with a nod, but his eyes keep searching. When it seems he can’t find who he wants, he walks to the back of the room where Liv and Julius are.

“Did you hear about the summer music festival?” Melodie asks excitedly.

I shake my head, my eyes following Harrison as he moves slowly but with purpose around the room.

“Ray said that a friend of his that works in the mayor’s office saw a list of bands on a paper someone left in the printer.”

Harrison ignored me. He ignoredme.

Who the fuck does he think he is, all high and mighty?