Stern Men Always Finish Last

Chapter 2

After finishing up another side job for the academy, I'm finally able to go home. 4AM is not an acceptable bed time. Unfortunately, my sleep times are starting in the early morning hours far more frequently then I would like. With the Ashley Waters job still going and our hunt for Volto seemingly endless, my team has been stretched thin. I've found myself taking more jobs just to keep the favor bank up and to give Sean a chance to sleep once in a while.

Deciding to forgo a shower before catching a couple of hours of sleep, I quickly brush my teeth when I catch my reflection in the mirror. These dark circles under my eyes will not go unnoticed. Sean will be worried. He'll insist that I need to let him handle some of the side jobs and will probably want me to have a complete physical examination. Mr. Lee will start counting. All in an attempt to figure out a way that my younger brothers can take more off of my plate. And Miss Sorenson. My darling, Sang. She will look at me with those big green eyes and know that I'm not taking care of myself. At our golf date (If Luke gets to count breaking into a home and stealing a camera as I date, I certainly get to count lunch at a country club and following Hendricks as one), she proved that I have to be more careful around her. She doesn't miss when I'm not taking care of myself. Although, I know that part of the reason she mentioned it was to deflect from her own state of unwell. Regardless, I'm going to have to cover this up. Thankfully, I actually looked at the products Mr. Colman used on previous bruises and secretly stocked up on them. I'll have to find that online tutorial I bookmarked in the morning. It would be foolish to apply them with zero knowledge of how to make it look natural.

2 hours of sleep later and I was awake again and getting ready for another day in High School Hell. If it wasn't for the fact that this job would allow nearly all of my brothers to graduate, I wouldn't have even considered taking it. Thankfully, Sean and I managed to skip traditional schooling. Well, Sean got to skip all of it; I on the other hand attended kindergarten. For someone who likes to remain clean and professional at all times, the memories of kindergarten are more like nightmares. Besides already knowing the basic principles of what they were to teach me, the sheer thought of other children, ones usually coved in paint or other mess, touching me was enough to give me cold sweats. But enough of those memories, time to get a move on and get to school. Sean would never let me live it down if he made it to school before me.

Feeling like a high school girl with a crush, I checked my makeup job in the drivers side mirror and deemed myself presentable and looking like I had a full night's sleep. Walking into the building I mentally prepared myself. Time to fool the others.

Luck was on my side as I made it through the first few periods with little physical contact with my team. Sean had received an early morning call from Nurse Caroline that she was ill and he was now stuck manning the nurse's office. Mr. Lee and Miss Sorenson were in class and since no one was on a mission last night besides me, I didn't need an in person report this morning. However, there was one class that I couldn't get out of. Violin lessons were set to begin in 10 minutes. 45 minutes of class that I just had to get through without Sang noticing how tired I was and I was home free.

I had never wished for a class to end so much. Normally I cherished my time with Miss Sorenson. But today, I just wanted to get out of here, avoid everyone else, and then get home and sleep. Upon entry Sang and I had our customary greeting. "Miss Sorenson." "Mr. Blackbourne." She met my gaze and I thought I was home free.

"Before we begin, anything to report on this morning? I take it that your evening with Mr. Griffin and Mr. Lee went well, correct?" Her finger went straight to her lip as soon as I asked the questions. My eyebrow raised in curiosity. What has you nervous to talk to me, Sang?

"Um. Well. You see. IkindofkissedkotalastnightandIdon'twanthimtogetintrouble." Interesting. Kota finally made a move. Or did my dear sweet Sang take the lead? Play this cool Owen, you can't embarrass her.

"Won't you please take a seat Ms. Sorenson?" I motioned to the empty chair next to the piano bench. Once seated she could barely look at me. Oh Miss Sorenson, don't you know that you cannot hide from me? I took one finger and tilted her head up to face me. "Now, I believe that you said that you kissed Mr. Less last night, correct?" She blushed a shade of red that I had only seen on purple heirloom tomatoes and nodded solemnly in the affirmative. I gazed into her eyes seeking out all of the answers to my questions. Spill it sweetie. Why are you so nervous to tell me? – You think I will be disappointed in you for kissing more of the boys. Did you kiss him first? – Yes. And it frightens you every time you initiate touching. But then I caught a glimpse of something else. As she looked into my eyes she found something she wasn't looking for, but disappointed her none the less. Fuck! She knows. All I have to do is keep the focus on her and I'll get out of this.

"Mr. Blackbourne?" Stay calm Owen. "Yes, Ms. Sorenson?" "When was the last time you got a good night's sleep?" And boom goes the dynamite.

A/N: I know this seems likea lot of filler (and for that I am sorry), but I swear I'm going somewhere withthis.