The Judgement: A Reverse Harem High School Bully Romance (Breakbattle Academy Book 4)

by Ruby Vincent

  She stared at me, face stricken. A sallow pallor drained the color to her skin. For a long time, no one spoke.

  I got to my feet. “I’m guessing you don’t have any more questions for me?”

  Jeong’s throat bobbed with a hard swallow. “No, Mr. Manning. You may go.”

  I walked out and softly closed the door behind me. Head held high, I went to class.

  Chapter Nine

  “When do you think we’ll find out their decision?” asked Cole.

  My friends, the boys, and I gathered in front of the main gates. We made it to Friday with no word about the board’s final decision and no relief from our school-wide punishment. No one had reason to stay on campus, so we packed up and trekked outside to wait for our families or drivers to pick us up.

  “I don’t think they do these things quickly,” Michael offered. “They’re talking about revamping every school in the state. It could be months before they decide.”

  A hand gripped my wrist. “Zee?”

  “Yes, Derek?”

  He led me a bit away from the group.

  “Do you want to come over this weekend? Dad’s forcing me to watch all these old detective movies and he says you’re to blame. It’s only right you suffer with me.” Despite his words, he was smiling.

  It tugged one to my lips. “You won’t be doing any suffering this weekend, Grayson. You will love those movies and I totally want to come. I’ll tell my mom I’m going to Adam’s.”

  “Sweet.” He backed away, looking happier than I usually got to see. “See you tomorrow.”

  Mom picked me up soon after he left. We talked a little about my week before I brought up Adam’s.

  “Just for the day,” I asked. “We’re going to watch old movies and binge on popcorn.”

  “You cannot go to this boy’s house every weekend, Zela.”

  “I know. I promise I’ll spend the next few weekends at home.”

  She hummed. “Okay. Just for the day.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I leaned over and hugged her best I could.

  When we got home, I ran upstairs and stripped out of my Zeke clothes. I pulled up Jordan when I was me again.

  Me: I told my mom I’m going to Adam’s house tomorrow. Will he be there to back up the lie or are you going out?

  She replied within minutes of the message.

  Jordan: We’re going out. He’s taking me to all of my favorite places and buying all my favorite foods to cheer me up. Why? Are you going to see Jonathan?

  Me: Yes. If she asks, I’ll tell her I meant Miss Val when I said we. It’ll be fine.

  You guys have fun tomorrow and forget about Chesterfield and their funhouse of villains. Lucia is the stupidest chick alive for choosing that walking STD over you and you deserve way better than them.

  Jordan: This is helping. Keep the insults coming.

  Laughing, I called her up so we could trash them properly. Jordan sounded a lot better when we hung up.

  The next day, Derek pulled into my driveway himself. I peeked him from the window as I rushed around getting ready. From where I was, I had no problem seeing his still damp strands of hair curling around his temple. Derek leaned against his sports car looking comfortable in a form-fitting blue sweater and a pair of black jeans. I could practically sense everyone on our block pressing their noses to the window to catch a glimpse of the movie star’s son.

  Derek leaned off the passenger door and held it open for me. “Ready? Where’s your mom?”

  “In her office. She’s not coming out until lunch if you thought you were going to meet her.”

  He chuckled. “I’ll meet her one day. Doesn’t have to be now. Let’s go. Chef is making your favorite.”

  “What does it mean that your chef knows my favorite meal and makes it for me whenever I come over?”

  Derek slammed my door shut and then leaned over, coming in so close I could count his eyelashes. “It means you’re one of us now.”

  “Is it like joining a cult?” I teased. Although underneath, overwhelming happiness bloomed inside of me. I waited so long to hear Derek say that.

  “The Graysons are worse. I hope you know what you’re in for.”

  We kept up a steady string of joking and teasing throughout the ride to his house. We stopped before the gates and the guard let us go without making me step out to search me for listening devices or plastic bags for Naomi’s locks of hair.

  “Dad said he’d be ready by the time we got here.”

  We passed his grand staircase and entered the doors just off the dining room. Jonathan glanced up from his phone.

  Their living room was just as grand as the rest of the mansion and the other Evergreen homes I’ve been in, but where the Graysons differed was the massive projector screen hanging over their mantle. The only way to watch movies according to Jonathan.

  “Hey, boys. Come in. Get comfortable.” He winked at me. “It’s time I did something about my son’s appalling lack of taste in movies.”

  “I saw that wink,” said Derek. He threw himself on the sectional and threaded his hands behind his head. “I told you guys about talking to Zeke about me behind my back.”

  “Ah, but we think you’re bluffing about emancipation. Mom is busting out the baby pictures later.”

  “Those I want to see,” I said.

  “I hid them a long time ago.” Derek tapped his nose. “Always one step ahead.”

  Jonathan looked at his phone again. “Sorry, guys. The studio is calling. Give me ten minutes.”

  Derek and I talked movies while we waited for him to come back.

  “You’ll like them,” I said. “The movies are dark and gritty. Just your type.”

  “It’s the overdramatic acting that makes them unbearable. I’m the son of a pro. I can’t stand watching actors fling themselves all over the screen because they got a papercut.”

  I chuckled. “I’ll give you that one, but I know you’ll like it anyway.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because I know you.”

  He lifted a brow. “Still convinced you have me all figured out?”

  “I do, Derek Grayson. Whether your brooding, tortured, loner soul persona wants to admit it or not.”

  Derek held up his hands. “Whatever you say.”

  I glanced at the clock. “It’s been thirty-five minutes. Where’s Jonathan?”

  “He probably got held up on the call. It happens. Let’s start the movie anyway. It’s not like he hasn’t seen it.”

  My phone went off.

  “Okay,” I said as I took it out. “Start with anything Humphrey Bogart.”

  I hit accept.

  “Hey, JoJo. How’s it going with—”

  “Zela?!”

  I jumped.

  “Zela, are you there?! You have to go! Now!”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  “Zee, I’m so s-sorry.” Jordan’s voice cracked on a sob. “She knows. Your mom knows about Jonathan.”

  My throat seized. I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Couldn’t hear for the roaring in my ears.

  What did she just say?

  “—on her way right now. Get out of there.”

  “How?” I whispered.

  “It was Mom,” she cried. “She looked through my phone while I was in the shower. She said it was because I’ve been angry and distant and wouldn’t talk to her. She read all the texts about Jonathan and called Aunt Dronika.”

  “But— but Mom wouldn’t—”

  “She’s on her way there right now and I’m grounded for forever. Longer than forever when she finds out I stole my phone back to call you. I don’t know how long it’s been since Mom told her. She might be closer than you think.”

  Panic surged to my heart. I bolted off the couch. “Derek, we have to go!”

  “Zela?”

  “We have to go... right...” I trailed off, slowing to a stop.

  Jonathan Grayson stood in the entrance. The look he
gave me as he stepped into the room made my blood run cold.

  “Who are you?”

  “Dad? Are you okay?”

  Jonathan did not acknowledge his son. He didn’t seem to have heard him at all.

  “Who are you?” he asked through gritted teeth. “Why is Brenda Manning outside of my gate demanding to be let in to get her daughter?”

  “Dad—”

  “Quiet, Derek.”

  “But, Dad—”

  “Quiet!” he roared.

  I flinched and tears sprang to my eyes. He was so mad. Why was he so mad?

  “I-I’m her daughter,” I rasped. With hands that shook, I removed my wig and cap. “My name is Zela.”

  Jonathan reared back. “How is that possible? I looked into you. Your mother’s name is Andronika.”

  “She changed it.”

  His lips twisted. “Of course she did. Was that a part of your plot?”

  I blinked at him through tear-heavy lashes. “Plot?”

  “You wormed your way into my son’s life. Into my life! Is that why you’re disguised?!”

  “It’s not like that!”

  He stalked up to me, eyes blazing. “It didn’t work eighteen years ago and it won’t work now! You stay away from my family!”

  “Dad, stop!” Suddenly, Derek was between us. He shielded me as I burst into sobs. “What is wrong with you?! Just listen to her!”

  “Listen to— Dear God. Did you know about this?”

  “Zela told me everything a long time ago. Whatever you think is happening, you’re wrong.”

  “I’m wrong? So she didn’t trick her way into my home to claim I’m her father?” His voice was hard. “Am I wrong about that, son?”

  “You are my father.” I gripped Derek and guided him out of the way. I faced Jonathan head on even while tears dripped down my face. “I’ve been looking for you my whole life and all I wanted was to get to know you... and maybe I hoped, if you got to know me... you’d want me.”

  His face could have been chipped from stone. “I’m afraid that won’t work. I am not your father, Zela. Whatever you came for, you won’t get it from me.”

  I balled shaking fists. “You can’t lie to me,” I said with more strength than I felt. “I won’t be lied to anymore. I found my birth certificate. It’s your name written down.”

  Jonathan’s eyes flashed. “Your mother shouldn’t have done that.”

  “Why not? Why shouldn’t she write down the name of my father?” My voice rose. “Why shouldn’t she write the name of the man who abandoned her?! Left her alone with a baby and ran back to his pregnant wife!” I screamed. “Why shouldn’t she have done that?!”

  “I’m not your father!”

  “Dad, stop shouting at her!” Derek hooked me and crushed me to his chest. “You can’t pretend you don’t know her mother. Just— Just tell us the truth.”

  “I can’t believe this.”

  Through the circle of his arms, the first crack in Jonathan appeared. He looked at Derek like he was a stranger.

  “My own son. How can you think I would abandon my child?”

  “Because you did,” I sobbed.

  “You’re not my daugh—!” Jonathan let out a groan. He doubled over, breathing hard as he tried to get himself under control. “Look, it’s clear you’re suffering under incorrect information. I understand that your mother led you to believe that I am your dad, but it’s not true.”

  “She didn’t lead me to believe it. She never told me a thing about you.” I pulled away from Derek. “Not even your name. I found you on my own.”

  “Then... that’s even worse.”

  “What do you mean?” Derek asked.

  Jonathan didn’t take his eyes off of me as he said, “You’ve chased after the wrong man.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “How do you know her mother?” Derek demanded. “Why are you so angry if she’s just making things up?”

  “Stop it, Derek,” Jonathan said.

  We replied at the same time.

  “Tell me, Dad!”

  “Why are you lying!?”

  “Both of you, you don’t understand—”

  I cried, “You’re my father—”

  “I’m not—”

  “I don’t want money,” I plowed on. “I didn’t want any of this! I just wanted to know you.”

  “Zela—” Jonathan began.

  “You slept with her, didn’t you?” Derek’s grip on me tightened. “You really did it. The fuck, Dad! You cheated on Mom!”

  “It’s not like that!” he cried. “Just listen—”

  “You had an affair with some co-ed and then left her alone with a baby!” Derek flung. “How could you—”

  “I can’t have kids!”

  The bellow echoed through the room—silencing my sobs. Jonathan fell back against the door, clutching his head.

  “I can’t have children.” It ripped from his throat. “I’m sterile, Derek.”

  Derek went slack. I slipped out of his hold and slumped on the couch.

  “What?”

  “I didn’t know,” he whispered. “Not until after your mom and I were married. We tried and we tried for two years but she never got pregnant. We went to a doctor. We went to three doctors and they told us the same thing. The problem was me.”

  “But, Dad...”

  “It destroyed us,” he croaked. “Naomi always wanted kids and she wouldn’t let go of her dream of being a mom. She was willing to do whatever it took from sperm donors to adoption but I said no. All the waiting and hoping only to hear I could never give her what she wanted tore me apart. I couldn’t go through it anymore.

  “Your mom wouldn’t accept that. Our marriage strained to the breaking point. She made it clear she would never give up... even if it meant losing me in the process. We stopped talking. Became strangers in our own house. Eventually, Naomi started coming home later and later—giving the excuse filming ran late.”

  “Dad, no,” Derek pleaded. “Stop.”

  “I knew what she was doing. I was so angry and betrayed that I had an affair of my own.”

  “With my mom,” I whispered.

  Jonathan lifted his head and met my eyes. He nodded.

  “In my heart, we were over. We would get a divorce and Naomi would move onto a man who could fill her home with children.

  “But then, she found out she was pregnant. She read the test and realized in that instant she didn’t want a future where we weren’t a family. She came back to me and asked if I could forgive her and love this baby. I said I would... and I do.” Jonathan moved toward Derek. He gripped the back of his neck. “I love you. You’re my son. You have been since the day I found out about you and you always will be.”

  His eyes slid to me. “But you’re not my daughter, Zela. I ended things with your mom but she begged me to stay because she was pregnant. I rejected her and haven’t spoken to her since. I was with your mom when you were conceived, but the only thing that’s certain is she was with someone else too.”

  Jonathan brushed my damp cheek. “I wish you were my miracle. If you had been, there was nothing that would have stopped me from being a part of your life. But I’m not your father, Zela, and honestly, I believed all these years that your mother went to the man who is.”

  I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. His words were going in but they didn’t move me.

  “Zela?!”

  My head snapped up.

  “Zela?! Where are— Get your hands off me! Where is my daughter?!”

  Jonathan released Derek. “It’s best that you leave, Zela. We have a lot we need to talk about as a family.” He opened the door. “Ben, let her go. Your daughter is in—”

  Derek seized my hand. I cried out as he yanked me up and raced out of the door.

  “Zela!” Mom ran to me.

  Derek pulled me away and her arms closed on air. I stumbled after him, uncomprehending as Jonathan and Mom shouted at us.

  We made it
outside. Derek ran to his car, lifted me up, and drop me in the passenger seat. I was too dazed to fight him.

  The car peeled out of the drive in a shower of gravel. The last thing I saw in the rearview mirror was Mom chasing after the car. Then we turned onto the road and sped away.

  I MADE IT AN HOUR INTO the car ride before I broke down. My tears came slow at first—building until stomach-clenching sobs wracked my body.

  Derek leaned over me and pulled the lever to lower my seat. He rested his cool palm against my aching head. “It’s going to be okay, Zee.”

  How could he say that? The only thing I knew for sure was that it wouldn’t be okay.

  I cried and cried until the car came to a stop.

  “We’re here.”

  “What?” My mouth tasted of cotton. I made out Derek’s blurry shape through swollen eyes as he came around the car and picked me up.

  “Dad bought this place to crash whenever he’s caught out late at the studio. No one will bother us here.”

  Derek carried me up the wraparound porch of a tiny, cabin-style house. He set me on the deck chair. I did nothing but sniffle and stare as he dug around the porch planter. He came away with a key and let himself inside.

  “Won’t they know to check here?” I asked in a small voice.

  “No.” Derek lifted me again. “It’s the obvious choice for me to go, so Dad will assume I’m not here.”

  Derek carried me over the threshold into a space that was warmer and cozier than I was expecting. Thick, soft rugs covered most of the floor, but what I could see was a warm brown that matched the leather couches. Derek placed me on one and then disappeared. When he came back, he was carrying a blanket.

  “Here.” He draped it over my body and tucked the blanket in. “Just relax for a little bit. When you’re ready for food, I can get anything you want delivered.”

  “Why are you doing this?” I whispered. “Why did you bring me here?”

  “You were freaking. The last thing you needed was a fight with your mom. We’ll take a break and talk to them when we’re ready.”

  My lips curled. “You must be happy. You kept saying I wasn’t your sister. Looks like you were right.”

  Derek looked hard at me. “Yes, Zela. That’s what I’m feeling right now. Happy.”