Eastwood Academy

Chapter 39: Closer To Him

The rest of the morning drags, but I have lunch with River to look forward to. He responded immediately to my text asking to meet me near Eastwood's baseball field. After my second block period, I grab a power bar and head over. The baseball field sits next to a row of hedges and trees. I've been out here a couple of times with Gavin and Jessica for lunch before we started hanging out with River's crowd.

I've only been to the field a couple of times. I've thought about reaching out to the other girls on the team and asking to practice, but I felt too shy, and I still have reservations about going back to the sport. Walking towards the field, I can almost pretend that I'm back home with my mother by my side, and if I turn my head, I'll see her smiling as she walks next to me.

I shake my head to dispel the image, shielding my eyes from the sun as I walk. Yesterday's rain storm cleared up, leaving a beautifully cold but sunny day.

When I reach the edge of the field I scan the area looking for River. It takes me a minute to find him because he's tucked away in a secluded corner, lying on a black coat, relaxing in a patch of sunlight. His eyes are closed, and he looks much better than when I saw him this morning. I slow my pace as I approach, savoring the contented expression on his face. I've never seen him look so unguarded.

"Hey," I say as I plop down beside him.

"Hey," he mirrors me, rolling into his side and stroking a hand down my face. Using his index finger, he lightly traces the shape of my lips as I hold my breath.

"I need to talk to you," I say, pulling back a little before I completely lose my train of thought. I have to warn him that the school board knows about the fights. I sit up, and he follows suit.

"I got called into the guidance counselor this morning. River, the school board, knows about the fight in the cafeteria and at Connell's house. Amanda was asking a ton of questions about who was responsible. She said there wasn't anything Eastwood could do about the first one because it was off campus, thank God. I told her you didn't start the fight in the cafeteria, but she didn't seem convinced," I say, releasing a long breath when I'm finished. I expect River to press me about what Amanda asked or show some sign of anger, but he doesn't. He only gives me a small smile and reaches out to tuck a lock of my hair behind my ears. I guess I know what kind of a mood he's in. With the sunlight warming our backs and the sound of the wind and the birds, I'm tempted to get lost in him, but this is too important.

"River?" I ask tentatively.

"I already know Brooklyn. That's why I went home last night. So my dear old dad could pretend to be a father and lecture me for my mistakes," River says. That explains the

"And?" I ask incredulously.

"He yelled and ranted and made a lot of empty threats, but at the end of the day, my reputation affects him. It looks bad for the St. Claire's if I get expelled, so he'll use his influence to make sure that doesn't happen,"

"So that's it, you're off the hook?" I demand. This sounds too good to be true, and if it is, then why did he show up looking like such a wreck for history class?

"Well, not entirely. He gave me a pretty good lecture, letting me know he expects better. Then he cut my allowance and took away my car to trade it for a downgrade," River says, grinning, and I roll my eyes, knowing it will probably be a normal luxury car instead of the insanely expensive sports car he took me out in for our first not-technically-a-date.

"Oh gee, let me guess, you have a regular car now?" I quip, and his smile widens.

"The best Toyota Tacoma from last year's lineup, only driven once," River says mockingly. I'm relieved and glad to see that he has some awareness of the ridiculous level of privilege and money his family has and that it doesn't seem to matter to him. It makes me like him even more.