My heart drummed so loud I swore it could be heard down the hall the second I shut the door to Ace’s room behind me. My lips were still swollen, my skin still burning. If Mr. Scott saw me flushed, if he caught even a glimpse of guilt in my eyes, everything would come undone. 

I smoothed my hair quickly, tugged the hem of my blouse into place, and forced air into my lungs before stepping back into the wide hallway. My legs still trembled, but I tried to hide it. 

The sound of Mr. Scott’s ...