“That you could do a lot worse than Brianna.”
“You mean, Miss Andrews.”
“Yeah, about that… how exactly did she manage to score a placement here when Knight’s Ridge never has student teachers?”
“Yeah, how indeed,” I repeat, shoving my phone away and crossing my arms across my chest. “Wanna fill the boys in, Toby?”
“Jesus, you’re acting like I let her move into your flat or something.”
“At this point, I wouldn’t put it past you.”
“What? I just helped her out with a job. And a car.”
“A car?” I bark, my eyes almost popping out at that confession.
“Yes, a fucking car. You know, if you spent less time worrying about the fastest way to get into her pussy, you might actually see that she needed a little help.”
“That isn’t what I’m thinking about.”
“You’re so full of shit,” Theo mutters.
“Just stay the fuck away from her while she’s here,” Toby warns.
“What?” I ask innocently.
“I know you, Nico. I recognise that look in your eyes. If you fuck this up for her then I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” I ask, shoving what’s left of my lunch back as I glare at my best friend.
“Just leave her the fuck alone.”
“Yeah, we’ll see.”
Grabbing my shit, I dump it in the closest bin and take off across the restaurant.
“Who kicked your puppy?” Emmie asks when I nearly collide with her and Calli as I blow out of the vast room.
“Get out of my way,” I bark, not in the mood to listen to their opinions on my life right now.
“Ooh, touchy. Anyone would think you haven’t gotten laid recently,” Emmie teases as I storm away from them.
“Nico,” a softer, more concerned voice says before a small hand lands on my arm.
“I’m fine, Cal.”
“Are you?” She rushes around me, blocking my exit from the building.
Her large blue eyes stare up into mine and a little bit of the frustration that was holding me captive is instantly released.
“Yeah, I am,” I say a little softer and a hell of a lot more convincing. “I just need to go and get some air.”
I give her a half-arsed smile before darting around her and heading out through the main doors to the building.
I come to a stop on a bench that just so happens to look directly into Mrs. Hendrix’s office. When we were in year eight, it belonged to Miss Hancock, and we used to spend our lunchtimes out here perving on her like horny little arseholes.
I have no idea if Brianna’s going to be in there with her, but it’s the only guess I’ve got right now. If she’s in the staff room, I’ve got no chance of spotting her. That place is nicely hidden away from us all with its private courtyard.
It only takes thirty seconds to discover that I’m in luck. Mrs. Hendrix is nowhere to be seen, but there is a certain blonde in a sinful navy dress sitting at her desk and staring down at something before her.