Vengeance (Oak Grove Suspense Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

last one?” I ask.
    Ryan chuckles humorlessly. “He was caught with the head cheerleader. She was eighteen, but that doesn’t really matter to the school board.”
    “I’d say not. That’s awful.”
    “Pretty much. So, after he was fired, they asked me to fill in. I’d been helping out before it all went down, so it was an easy transition.”
    “You played in school?” Dylan asked.
    Ryan stops by the school’s trophy case and points to a picture of him next to a huge trophy. “Yep, we won state that year. We’ve only won state twice since.”
    “That’s cool. My old team won state a few times. We even had a few students go to the Little League World Series in baseball.”
    “That’s awesome. I’m proud of you, son.” Ryan clapped Dylan on the back, making his son smile broadly. “You okay?” Ryan asks me as he runs a hand down my arm.
    I nod. “Yeah, it’s kind of surreal. I mean, not much has changed. Some updates, but basically I feel like I’m right back where I was.”
    “I know what you mean. I felt that way when I first came back.” He opens the office door for us.
    “Well, as I live and breathe. Look who the wind blew in!” Jeanie Montgomery yells as I walk through the door.
    “Hi, Jeanie.”
    “I didn’t believe Gale when she said you were coming home. Good to see you, sis.” She hugs me tightly. Jeanie is one of Gale’s best friends. I wouldn’t be surprised if she knows every facet of my life.
    “It’s true. I’m back.”
    “And this must be Dylan. I feel like I’m in 1994 again. You’re a spitting image of Ryan at your age.”
    “If it’s my age, then you’d have to be back in 1992,” Ryan smirks. She slaps him playfully.
    “Shut up, you fool.” She turns to address Dylan. “I’m Vice Principal Montgomery. Don’t believe a thing these two have to say about me.” She sticks her hand out to Dylan. “Welcome to our school.”
    “Thanks.”
    We chat for a few more minutes, then Ryan excuses himself to the gym and Dylan and I headed off to find his classes and meet his teachers. The day is full of familiar faces, some I wish I could permanently forget, but others are a nice surprise. By the end of the day, Dylan’s met a few of the guys from the football team and is excited about trying out Saturday morning.
    Dylan and I head over to the gym to meet up with Ryan. On entering the gym, we find him in a heated conversation with a woman. I recognize her as Dylan’s English teacher. She looks over to us a few times as she argues with Ryan. I wish I could hear their conversation or at least read lips. The sight in general makes me nervous, though I have no idea why. I have no claim to Ryan.
    “Enough,” I hear Ryan yell, his hands go to his hair, pulling roughly. He looks like he’s about to lose his cool. He turns from her and heads over to Dylan and me.
    “This isn’t over, Ryan!” she yells after him.
    He rolls his eyes and groans. “Ready to go?” he asks us cheerily. No sign of his previously expressed frustrations.
    “What was that all about?” I ask.
    “I’ll tell you later. How about we go get some lunch? There’s a new place that serves Thai food not far from here. It’s pretty good.
    “Okay, but I need to get home soon. I have work tomorrow.”
    He frowns. “I didn’t think you started for a few weeks?”
    “Officially, I don’t. But they want me to fill out some paperwork and talk to a few people.”
    “Who’s staying with Dylan?” Ryan asks.
    Dylan chuckles and replies, “I’m fifteen, Dad. I can stay by myself.”
    Ryan just stares at our son. He’d yet to call him Dad. Dylan looks confused back and forth between his dad and me.
    “What? Did I do something wrong? Why are you guys staring at me?”
    Ryan shakes his head. “You called me Dad.”
    Dylan blushes. “Oh, uh … sorry. I didn’t reali …” Ryan waves him off.
    “Don’t apologize. I want you to call me Dad. It just took me by surprise. I like it, really.”
    “Okay. I