Chapter 82
*St. Valentine. Patron Saint of love. You realize that we’re celebrating his execution, right? – Priscilla*
“Miss Lowery, I do like your paper on St. Valentine.” Evie said as a way of starting her last class of the day. “Very detailed information on his execution.”
“Sorry, Miss. I was a little upset when I wrote it.” Priscilla explained. She didn’t want to admit that she was upset with one of the guys in class. He had asked her out and she had mistakenly thought that he was interested in her.
When he pulled into a seedy motel for their date, Priscilla knew that she had been wrong about him. She had excused herself to the bathroom and called Camille. Ten minutes later, Athos had arrived at the door with Trevor, Tank and Molly.
She had gone home, embarrassed and upset, and wrote her paper. The Saints never touched him. They didn’t have to. Tank knew the boys father and he arrived shortly after them.
The door opened and the musketeers walked in. “Sorry, Miss, newspaper.” They all three chimed.
She couldn’t help but smile. “You know that only works if you’re actually on the newspaper staff.”
Handing her a large bouquet of yellow roses, blue bonnets and Indian paintbrushes, Athos shrugged. “You know who those are from.”
“I do.” She murmured hiding her tears inside the flowers. Looking up, Evie discovered that Priscilla and Camille each had a large bouquet of assorted tea roses and Aramis was giving every girl in the class a carnation.
“You boys are very sweet.” She said as he gave a flower to Miss Walter and whispered something in her ear.
The girl had been much more subdued since she discovered that she was pregnant. Her popular friends had dropped her, her boyfriend broke up with her and Evie could only imagine what her home life was like.
Aramis stood and traced a knuckle down her cheek. It was a motion Evie knew well and had seen many Saints do. As big and bad ass that they were, they were also extremely protective. Right now, their former nemesis needed to be protected.
The large man-child sat behind her next to Athos. She had been accepted into their group just as quickly as she had been kicked out of the popular clique. Even Priscilla held no ill feelings towards her.
“Alright. So, teaching today is pointless. You are all thinking about what you’re going to do this weekend and tonight’s dance. Open topic discussion.”
Emily Dundee, Miss Walter’s former best friend, smirked and quickly said “Unwed teenaged mothers.”
Evie rolled her eyes. “Really? Out of all the topics in the world, you pick that one?” She leaned against her desk in her usual stance. “Very well, if you are female, in your teens and unmarried, please stand up.”
All of the girls in the class stood up looking a little confused.
“Congratulations. You are all at risk of being unwed teenage mothers. Unless you’re engaged. Anyone engaged?”
Priscilla gave a little wave.
“Miss Lowery, are you engaged?”
“No, Miss. But I’m a virgin-"
“You sure as hell better be.” Athos muttered glaring at the boy who tried to take advantage of his friend.
“- can I sit down?”
Giving a small laugh, Evie nodded. “Yes, you may all sit down.”
“I’m on birth control.” Emily said haughtily.
“Me too.” Evie said grabbing her purse and pulling out the pharmacy bag. She pulled out the paperwork from her pills. “Have you ever read the paper that comes with them? You have a whole section that explains that it is not guaranteed to prevent pregnancy.”
Unfolding the large paper, Evie pointed out the large section that she was referring to.
“In fact, it suggests that you use a secondary type of birth control as a precaution. It also lists medications and foods that can reduce the effectiveness. Grapefruit.” She made a gagging sound.
“Better tell my grandma that her grapefruit might mess with her birth control. In case any of you think I’m bullshitting you; I have an aunt who is in high school.”
There was a ripple of shock in the room.
“From my granddad’s fifth wife. Respect, man.” She double tapped her fist against her chest. “Had his last child at age seventy-one. Willa is much younger. The man still hits the strip clubs.”
“Life goals!” Porthos called out.
“How do you know he still goes?” Meagan asked.
“I’ve gone with him. My family owns several bars, including strip clubs.”
“If my brother doesn’t marry you, will you marry me?”
“Mr. Humphrey, I will consider your request.” She chuckled.
“I know where you’re going this weekend, would you consider it before leaving? Pretty sure that I have no chance afterwards.”
“Tell me where I’m going and I’ll consider it.” Evie smiled.
“Priscilla’s dad scares me. Trevor terrifies me. But ticking off my brother makes both of them look like babies. To quote your brother, hell to the fuck that shit no.”
