Page 106 of Until Nalia

“I didn’t cheat on her.”

“Okay.”

“It was an old profile that I forgot to delete.”

“And the photos you shared that were taken at Kristy’s house?”

“None of those pictures were taken at Kristy’s.”

The lie annoys me, “I saw the profile, looked through the pictures, and multiple of them were taken at Kristy’s, including the couple you took in her bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. And I know it was her bathroom, I fixed her sink that was leaking after she bought her place, and her ugly ass tile is hard to forget.” His face goes ashen. “Are we done?”

He doesn’t answer as he walks out of the office ahead of me and I hear the door to the shop as it hits the wall as he exits.

“What’s that about?” Hector asks, coming around the corner and bending to pet Dozer when he bumps up against him.

“Kristy’s parents are coming into town, and she’s worried about how it might look if the kids don’t stay over at her place. Aaron stopped by to talk to me about it.”

“I bet it’s more that Kristy is questioning taking him back because the kids aren’t coming around, and she’s also going to have to explain to her parents why that’s happening.”

“That’d be my guess, too.”

“Are you headed out?”

“Yeah, Nalia is on the way home with Zuri.” I take out my phone when it begins to ring and see the number for the school on the display.

“Hello,” I answer.

“Hi, Mr. Rafe, this is Principal Mayers. I was trying to get a hold of Nalia Mayson, but she’s not picking up, and I wanted to speak with her before I leave for the day.”

“She’s driving right now, but I’ll see her at home. Can I pass along a message?”

She pauses for a long moment then sounds unsure. “Umm… yeah sure, I wanted to let her know that we looked at the camera footage and it’s obvious that Zuri was pushed off the jungle gym on purpose and we will be dealing with the situation.”

“Can you tell me who the student was?” I attempt to keep the anger out of my tone, but it’s difficult. Zuri is a tiny little thing, and I’ve seen the jungle gym she was playing on. The top of the slide isn’t that high, but it’s still about nine feet from the top to the ground. Falling from it could have led to a broken bone or the possibility of needing stitches.

“Unfortunately, I can’t but I can guarantee that the situation will be handled, and the student will be suspended.”

“I’ll let Nalia know.”

“Thank you, and please have her call me in the morning if she has any questions.”

“I’m sure she’ll call.” I hang up with her and meet Hector’s gaze. “They reviewed the tape, and she was pushed.” He was sitting in the office with me when I called the school, so he knows what I’m talking about, and I don’t need to explain.

“Was it that same kid who Coop had issues with? The one who toilet-papered your place?”

“She said she couldn’t tell me, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was.”

“Yeah, me either,” he mutters, then adds, “I usually wouldn’t suggest that you threaten or try to intimidate a fourth grader, but it might not hurt at this point.”

“Sucks, but you might not be wrong.” I pat his arm. “I’m out, are you good here?”

“Yep, just finishing up on some stuff then I’ll be headed home, unless you’re cooking.”

“Tonight’s pasta night, you’re welcome to join.”

“I might stop by.” He walks back into the shop while I swing into the room where Benett and Hanson are wrapping a truck and let the two of them know I’m taking off. After loading Dozer into my Jeep I call my mom to let her know that I’ll be there to pick up Coop so that he’s ready, then send a message to Billie checking in with her.

Ten minutes later when I pull up outside my parents’ place, the front door opens, and Coop runs outside with his backpack and Tupperware container in his hand.