Don't Follow Me: A High School Bully Romance (Diamond In The Rough Book 4)(37)

“Can I help you with something?”

I whipped around at the sound of the elderly woman’s voice.

“Uh, yes. Do you have computers here for students to use?” I asked.

She smiled. “Depends. Are you a student?”

“Are you going to kick me out if I’m not yet?”

“Ah, a prospective student. You’re more than welcome to use our facilities to get a feel for them. You can’t use any of the computers on the upper levels. Those are reserved for students who are already enrolled. But over there in the corner is a small computer lab with some you can use without a student I.D. card.”

I nodded. “I appreciate it. Thank you.”

“And if there’s anything I can help you with, please let me know. My name’s Rhonda.”

I smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Rhonda. I’ll keep that in mind.”

I made my way into the computer lab and picked one of the monitors in the corner so I wouldn't be disturbed. I knew Rae enjoyed English. But I also know she adored graphic design. But, to make matters worse, she had no idea what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.

So how could I help her make the most of the next year while she figured things out?

“Graphic design CSU.”

I murmured the words to myself as I typed them into the search engine.

“English major graphic design minor CSU.”

I kept talking softly to myself as my fingers typed at lightning speed.

“Graphic design major CSU.”

I frowned at the lack of a major in that department before opening a couple of tabs.

And as I continued my internet search for some answers to take back to the hotel, the voice at the back of my head haunted me.

She’s just going to break up with you.

No use in all this.

You’re an idiot, Clint. Cut your losses.

She’s going to hurt you.

But she couldn't hurt me any more than I had hurt her that day. The day she came to my house and I ended things with her just to protect her. It couldn't possibly be any worse than that. And after fighting to get me back, she deserved nothing less than the same treatment.

So I’d fight to win her back.

No matter what it cost me in the process.





31





Raelynn





“Clint, it’s me. Please pick up, okay? I’m worried about you.”

“Clint, you don’t even have to call. Just text. That’s it.”

“Clint, do we need to come looking for you?”

I went to dial his number again, but Michael took the phone from me.

“Hey! Give me that back.”

He tucked my phone in his pocket. “No can do, Rae. You’ve called him enough.”

I scoffed. “Yeah, and he hasn’t picked up. He’s been gone for over two hours. Where is he?”

Allison sighed. “Just give him some space. He probably left because he needed space.”

I pointed with my hand to Michael. “He can’t even tell us why Clint left! For all we know, he’s headed home and got into a car accident. Or is being chased down. Or is in a great deal of trouble. We have to know where he is, okay? All he has to do is call me back.”

I reached for Michael’s pocket, but he stepped away from me.

“While I get that’s a legitimate concern with you, he’s fine.”

I snickered. “Sorry if I don’t take your damn advice.”

Michael sighed. “He’s already messaged me, Rae.”

I paused. “Say what now?”

He rolled his eyes. “Clint messaged me a few minutes ago. He’s fine. He’s just taking a walk.”

Allison butted in. “Show us.”

I threw my hands in the air. “Thank you! Someone who doesn’t make me feel crazy for being worried.”

Michael pulled out his phone. “I don’t think you’re being crazy. I just think you’re going overboard. Here. Look.”

He held up his phone and I saw Clint’s name. Clint’s number. And the text message from Clint. Sure enough, he had messaged Michael to let him know he was all right. But he hadn’t returned any of my texts or phone calls.

Which broke my heart a little more.

“Happy?” he asked.

I held out my hand. “I want my phone back, please.”

Michael shook his head. “No.”

I wiggled my fingers. “Give me my phone.”

Allison sighed. “Just give her the phone and stop making things worse.”

Michael rolled his eyes, but listened. He slapped my phone back into the palm of my hand and it took all the energy I had to slip it into my pocket. I wanted to keep calling Clint until he picked up. Just to hear his voice. Even if he was angry with me for calling a bajillion times, at least I’d hear his damn voice.

At least he messaged someone.

“Did he seem angry when he left?” I asked.

Michael shrugged. “No. Not at all. He just got up, announced he was leaving, and left.”

Allison rubbed my back. “That’s all that happened?”

He nodded. “I swear, that’s all that happened. He didn’t even take his damn notebook. It’s still in the room.”

I swallowed hard. “But he takes that thing everywhere.”

He sighed. “Which is why you can bet your ass he’s coming back. He has to come back at least for that.”

But not for me.

I sighed. “You think he’ll want to talk once he gets back?”

Michael shrugged. “I don’t think you’re really in a position to dictate that.”

Allison interjected. “Michael, she’s been raked through the mud enough. Back off.”

He snickered. “I mean, I’m just saying. The man needs his space. I get that. He has enough on his mind right now, and that was before the party shit last night.”

I furrowed my brow. “What else does he have on his mind?”

Michael rolled his eyes. “If you really don’t know that, then you’re more removed than I thought you were.”

Allison scoffed. “Michael!”

He threw his hands up. “Well, it’s true!”

I shook my head. “Even if he does need time to think, he’s thinking the wrong things. I have to get him on the phone. Clint is the only rock I have and--”

Allison smacked her lips. “Rude. You have us.”

I rolled my eyes. “I know, I know. It’s not like that. That’s not what I mean. I just--Clint is different, you know? I mean, I’m your rock, but Michael is also your rock. And his rock is a different kind of rock.”

I looked over at Allison and watched her shrug.

“You have a point,” she said.

I sighed. “I mean, Clint is…”

The room fell silent as I wracked my brain for the right word. I wasn’t even sure there was a word to describe what Clint was to me. My brain felt muddled. My body felt as if it were trapped in a vat full of Jello. Suspended in mid-conversation, with no way out.

“Forever?” Michael asked.

His voice pulled me from my trance and I found him arching his eyebrows. Allison watched me carefully, waiting for me to confirm or deny. I let the word tumble around in my head. ‘Forever.’

Then a soft smile slid across my face.

“Yeah. I think so. Clint is forever. And I have to tell him that.”

Allison grinned. “He’ll come around. He has to, okay? We’re his ride home.”

That made Michael laugh. But I didn’t find it funny at all.

“He technically has the money to catch a cab,” I said flatly.

Michael shrugged. “Like I said, he left his notebook behind.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t really know how I feel about being second place to a notebook.”

Allison giggled. “Then, don’t get high and drunk again before turning into a raging--”

Michael interjected. “And I was supposed to lay off.”

I glared at her. “Yeah, Allison. Lay off.”

She held up her hands. “Sorry, sorry. But, he’s not the only one you hurt last night. He’s just your main focus right now. Remember that.”

I nodded slowly. “I’m sorry. I know. And I swear, I’m going to make it up to you guys.”

Michael chuckled. “Steak dinner, anyone? I’m ready for some surf and turf.”

Allison sighed. “If you’re hungry, order some food. But we aren’t leaving until Clint shows back up.”

I smiled. “Finally, someone with some sense.”

Michael ordered us all food to be delivered to the hotel room. But it was hard for me to concentrate on eating. I kept staring at the door, waiting for Clint to knock on it. I kept pressing my hand against my phone, waiting for it to vibrate. I wanted to hear his voice so badly. I wanted to get down on my knees and apologize. But, if space was what he needed, then it’s the least he deserved.

Just come back to me, Clint. I can take it from there.

“You should eat.”

Allison’s voice pierced my thoughts and I sighed.

“Not hungry.”

Michael threw a fry at me. “Eat.”

I snickered. “Throwing food at me isn’t going t--”

Allison tossed broccoli at me. “Eat.”

“Now, come on. If I’m not eating a french fry, what makes you think I’m eating--?”

Michael threw another fry at me and I smiled. I tossed the fry back at him before picking up a piece of rice. I flicked it at Allison and she wrinkled her nose before tossing another small piece of broccoli in my direction.