Chapter 40

EVERETT

"Thank you for backing me up in the meeting with Mrs Williams." Exhaling another long sigh, I peer out from the passenger's side car window. "I can't believe I hadn't stood up to her in such a long time, but having you there definitely gave me the strength to do that." Pivoting my head to face Mr Thorne, I offer him a small smile. "I can't thank you enough. It was nice to have someone on my side and speaking for Cody and my family."

Mr Thorne steals a glance at me, taking in my facial features.

"I'm glad you thought it was a friendly gesture." He puts his eyes back on the road. "Somewhere in my head, I thought I might be offending you." Then he swallows hard, and the bump on his throat visibly bobs up and down. "I'm sorry about calling myself your boyfriend in there. Really sorry about that."

He coughs breathlessly to hide his embarrassment.

"You weren't doing that at all." I chuckle awkwardly. "I mean, you weren't offending me." Running a hand through my hair, I shake my head