Good Boy by Megan Lowe
Chapter 7
After two weeks at Windswept Academy, it’s clear to me the rumors of Cavanaugh McLaughlin’s powers weren’t exaggerated. There’s no doubting he’s the big man on campus, that he rules the school. He’s untouchable, both physically and metaphorically. No one goes near him save for Thomas and his band of merry men. He lives in a bubble here, held above everyone else, present only because he has to be. But I don’t buy it. He gives off this unaffected air, but it’s too cultivated, too smooth. Several times over the past two weeks, I’ve watched him. I can’t help it. My eyes are drawn to him. But I’ve vowed that’s all I’ll do, look. So I do. I’ve watched how his smile doesn’t reach his eyes, how he chuckles, not laughs, how he clenches his fists and grits his teeth when his friends are being idiots. This act, or whatever it is he’s putting on, is wearing on him. I can see it, clear as day. Which makes me wonder, why can’t anyone else? The mystery that is Cavanaugh McLaughlin has got me more than fascinated.
“You’re staring at him again,” Chloe says as we eat lunch.
“I am not,” I rebut, not tearing my eyes away from him.
“Uh-huh, so why are you looking in his direction?”
“There’s something interesting on the wall over there.”
“It’s a smudge.”
“Well, it’s very… artistic.”
She snorts and throws a tater tot at my head. I finally tear my eyes away from Cavanaugh.
“Oh look, there he is.”
I give her the finger. Over the past few weeks, we’ve developed what I hope is a firm and lasting friendship. She’s a hoot to be around, always keeping things interesting, not giving a fuck what people think. And I have to admit, it’s been more than a bit fun keeping people on their toes trying to guess what the hell we’re up to. I’m not hiding my sexuality, but at the same time, I’m not flaunting it either.
“I don’t know what your obsession with him is, but you need to forget about him Con. He’s dangerous and not the type of guy you want to have anything to do with.”
“I know, I know. But I can’t help it. Since before I got here, all I’ve been hearing about is how I need to stay away from him. He’s bad, he’s scary, he’s not a nice guy, but so far, I’ve seen none of that. Okay, he’s not the friendliest guy, but I get that. He has a rep to protect. But I think there’s more to him.”
She shakes her head. “You’re hopeless.”
I nod. “Yes, I am.” I chuckle. “Look, I’m not going to do anything. The last thing I want is to cause trouble, there’s just something about him.”
She rolls her eyes.
“I just don’t get why everyone says he’s so bad. Surely for a guy as good-looking as that one, all sins are forgivable?”
“Even murder?”
I put my fork down. “I’ve heard about this so-called murder but I’ve not heard any details, which frankly makes me question its legitimacy.”
Chloe snickers. “Frankly you question its legitimacy?” she asks. “Sorry, counselor, I didn’t realize I had to meet a specific burden of proof.”
“Now look who’s being fancy.” I throw a piece of cantaloupe at her. “But seriously, what happened?”
“To be honest, I don’t think there’s much to the rumor, that it’s just that, a rumor. There’s probably some truth to it, but I think there’s also a lot of hot air being blown, all designed to make Cav look like a badder ass than he already is.”
“If you don’t believe it, then why does it keep coming up?” I ask.
She shrugs. “Because all the lackeys here want to suck up to Cav, to make themselves feel better when he doesn’t give them the time of day? I don’t know. I think they’ve just bought into this… idea of who Cav is and no one really questions it.”
“You know how stupid that sounds, right?”
She throws another tater tot at me. “Of course I do, but when you’re the only one who doesn’t give a shit, well, it’s easier just to go along with things.”
I shake my head. “One thing I don’t understand—”
“Just one?” she asks, poking her tongue out.
It’s my turn to throw a tot. “—is why he’s content to have a rumor about him being a murderer. That’s just… crazy to me.”
“Okay, you might have a point there.”
“Right? I mean, why on earth would you think that’s a good thing?”
She shrugs. “Maybe it’s to keep all the annoying blowflies that litter this place, away. You know, if they think he killed someone, then they’ll be too scared to try and be friends with him.”
“Hmm, that could work.”
“I mean, if that’s what it took for people to leave me alone I’d totally consider it.”
I give her a look.
“What?”
“You’d really be happy to be known as a murderer?”
“It’s not like I actually did the act, just have enough doubt and intrigue surrounding it so that people wouldn’t bother me anymore.”
“Is it really that bad?” I ask.
“Yes and no. It’s nothing I can’t handle, but then, is it really something I should have to handle?”
I grab her hand and give it a squeeze. “No, it’s not.”
The bell rings and I get up.
She grabs my arm. “But I am serious about Cav though. Stay away from him. I know he’s all kinds of pretty but he’s not someone you want to mess with. Even if he’s not responsible for Max’s death, he can still make your life a living nightmare and I don’t want that for you.”
I bend down and kiss her cheek. “You’re a real sweetheart, you know that?”
She shoves me away, but not as hard as she normally would. “Don’t tell anyone.”
I mime zipping my lips shut. “It’ll be our secret.”
As I say that, a shoulder barges into me, pushing me back a foot or so.
“If you think you’ve got a chance with that one, you’re dumber than I thought,” Cav snarls.
“Spending time with a beautiful woman is never a waste of time,” I tell him.
“You know you’re not her type, don’t you?”
“I do, but I don’t see how it’s your concern.” I really don’t either. Why is he worried about me and Chloe spending time together? He doesn’t want her and he sure as shit doesn’t want me, even if I would say yes.
“No concern,” he says.
“Okay, then. Nice talking to you?”
He gives me a shove as he walks past.
“What was that about?” Chloe asks.
“I have absolutely no idea.”
She tilts her head.
“What?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Nothing, that was just super weird.”
I hold my hands up. “I didn’t do anything.” No matter how much I wanted to.
“Hmm.”
I don’t know what I did to attract Cav’s notice, and as much as I said I’ll not get involved with all things him, I can’t help but get a thrill from his attention on me.
“So how’s school going?” James asks me as I lie on my bed later that night. As he foreshadowed, we haven’t been able to talk much since school went back, but the stars aligned for us to talk tonight.
“It’s school. You go, you learn things, you talk shit, you go home.”
He laughs, and I try not to think about what the sound does to my insides.
“So no run-ins with Cav then?”
“Cav who?” I ask.
“Connor….”
“James….”
“Cav’s not somebody you should be playing with.”
“Hey! I’m trying to be good, but we keep… running into each other.”
“You need to leave him alone.”
“I’m trying! But I can’t help it if he doesn’t want to cooperate.”
He groans. “Just stay away from him, Connor. Please, for me.”
“You know, that’s a very boyfriend-y thing to say.” The words are out of my mouth before I even realize what I’ve said. “I mean…. Uh….”
“I’ve gotta go,” he blurts out.
“James, wa—”
“Just stay away from Cav, okay?”
I don’t have time to reply as he ends the call.
“Fuck!”