ALL MINE 2

twenty-three

[1 more chapter left! enjoy beautiful people! 🩷]

❁❁❁

The staff of Winston sent out emails notifying the students of Dean Mitchell's immediate departure from the school. The notice left everyone shocked since students weren't expecting it. However, they felt relieved to know he would no longer be working there as the dean.

Grant was relieved but not surprised about Dean Mitchell's departure. After seeing him get grilled by Dr. Bolden during their meeting, he knew that Mitchell wouldn't last at the school. His reckless behavior with the students and the school's finances contributed to Dr. Bolden's decision.

Another email caught Grant's attention. He realized he was invited to another meeting by Dr. Bolden. This was unexpected, and it increased Grant's curiosity. He wasn't sure what the president wanted to discuss but figured the right thing to do was to attend.

Before he could leave, he received a phone call from his family's lawyer, Frederick Bellington. He called to let Grant know about the evidence he turned in from Solana.

"I checked her story out. Everything is confirmed." Frederick stated. "She was not involved in anything crime-related to the Baptiste brothers. Solana is in the clear."

He closed his eyes briefly, grateful to hear Solana was free from being tied to those demons. He pushed the air from his nostrils and said, "Thank you, man. This means a lot to me. I'm sure she'll be relieved as soon as I give her the news."

"It's no problem. Make sure you tell her to stay away from them."

Grant frowned. Solana had no reason to go around them. "I'll make sure she doesn't." He rasped as his mind traveled. He thought about Jones and O'Brien, the two detectives who tried to involve Solana in Izaak and his brother's drama. "Hey, Frederick. Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what's up?"

"Detective Jones and Detective O'Brien..." Grant trailed off, in deep thought. "I want you to handle them. Make sure they stay away from Solana." He ran his fingers over his hairy face. "They're the reason she was caught up in this mess."

"I'll do everything in my power to keep them away from her."

"Thanks." Grant nodded, "I really appreciate it."

Guilt showered over Grant. He began feeling terrible about his recent actions. The man went days without contacting his girlfriend. He felt overwhelmed by the drama and couldn't breathe. He knew distancing himself from Solana would be the right route because he didn't want to blow up in her face or say the wrong thing to her.

That was his excuse—he didn't want to hurt her feelings. Grant knew it wasn't a good one, but it was all he could think of. Sure, he could've handled it a better way, but he didn't realize it until now. He woke up with Solana on his mind. He thought about how emotional she was in his car. Her hands shook as tears poured down her cheeks. She spoke softly as her voice shook out of fear.

Grant dropped his head. This is not the way their relationship was supposed to go. He wasn't supposed to make her cry or scared. Solana was supposed to be happy, smiling and secure, not feeling dejected and scared because she decided to admit something that she had zero control over.

"I've got to apologize." Grant pushed out and sighed afterward. He ran his hand over his disoriented hair as he walked toward his dresser, looking through it to find something to wear. His eyes pinpointed the medicine sitting on top of the surface. He shook his head no. Grant's leg pain wasn't too severe, but he felt the urge to pop an Oxycodone.