Dr. Walters leaned his elbows on his desk and folded his hands together. “Thanks for coming in early to meet with me.”
I nodded. My mouth still wasn’t wanting to work.
He leaned forward. “I’m happy to see you’re feeling better.”
Oh no. Another mishap to add to this ridiculous school year. I leaned forward, too. “I’m so sorry I didn’t call in. You see, I slept through my alarm. I was running a fever of over 103 and—”
He grinned. “No need to apologize. I’m well aware of how ill you were, and how seriously you take your job.”
I sat back some and let out a deep breath.
“It’s why I wanted to talk to you. I feel like I have done you a great disservice.”
I tilted my head. “Why?”
He relaxed his arms and settled them on his desk. He sat back, too. “When Steve informed us he was leaving, I knew Jackson would be the ideal candidate to replace him. I also knew of Jackson’s relationship with you.”
I bit my lip. “We’re not dating anymore if that’s what you’re worried about,” I interrupted him, desperate to keep my job at least for the school year.
His mouth downturned. “I know. That’s where I fear I overstepped my bounds.”
“Overstepped your bounds?”
He clasped his hands together. “I worried that your relationship with Jackson would impede his ability to secure his new position. I also worried about the ramifications it would create with the staff here if your relationship continued.”
I sat up straighter and my posture stiffened.
“I suggested that Jackson reevaluate his priorities.” His face reddened.
My eyes stung. “I see.”
“I know that sounds cold, and I apologize. I didn’t know how deeply he felt for you. To his credit, he refused to discuss his relationship with you. He felt that should remain between the two of you. That being said, central office expressed their concerns as well when interviewing him.”
“Again, he broke up with me. And I’ve accepted that and moved on.” That was kind of a lie, but I was in the process of it.
He swallowed hard and gave me a wavering smile. “There have been mistakes all around.”
I shook my head.
“I realize it’s not my place to intervene in your personal life.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“I know that sounds hypocritical in light of what I just divulged, but I’m trying to correct my misdeed.”
“If you’re going to fire me, please just tell me.” I couldn’t take the suspense anymore.
He chuckled. “Goodness, no.”
I perked up, though I was still unsure of the direction he was going.
“It seems I have something else to apologize for.” His watered down blue eyes sparkled. “You’re an excellent asset to our school. You possess a talent for teaching that goes beyond your years.”
“Thank you.” I blushed.
“You see, I asked you to meet with me so I could shed some light on your situation with Jackson. I regret that I played a part in the demise of your relationship. My only excuse, and it is a poor one at that, is that I didn’t know the extent of Jackson’s feelings for you until last week when you didn’t show up and all attempts to contact you were fruitless. Jackson’s emotional state spoke of his love for you. I recognized in him my own actions and feelings once upon a time when my wife failed to contact me on a business trip and her phone died. I was a wreck until I knew she was safe and sound. Our new vice principal could not be calmed until he knew you were okay.”
I tucked my hair behind my ear.
He gave me a small smile. “He also informed me that he had every intention of pursuing a relationship with you . . .” He looked me squarely in the eyes. “Even if that meant he would lose his job.”
The fluttering was back. “We’re over,” I stammered.
“Well, so you know. I told Jackson that I felt I could trust both of you to maintain a professional relationship while at school. I see no issue if you would like to rekindle your romance. I told the superintendent the same thing.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. Thank you? That seemed inappropriate, considering he told Jackson to basically break up with me. “Like I said, we’re over. I should get to my classroom now.” I stood up.
He stood up as well. “Please accept my apology. I’ve been around so long and I’ve seen my fair of share of problems that personal relationships have caused in the workplace. It skewed my view of the situation. I hope my mistake won’t cause your view to go permanently askew.”
I didn’t feel like it was askew at all. I’m sure Mr. Montgomery didn’t mention to him how he broke up with me. And let’s not forget the fact that he chose his job over me. I get we weren’t married, but when someone said they loved me, I took that to mean I was the priority in their life. That’s how I used to feel about him. “Apology accepted.” I guess. What else was I going to say? Maybe I should thank him. He helped me to see how easily Mr. Montgomery could be persuaded to drop me from his life. So I did. “Thank you.” I started to walk out.
“Presley.”
I turned around. “Have a good day. And if you do change your mind, I suggest you and Jackson not use the prop room anymore.” He grinned and sat back down.
Oh. My. Gosh. I was going to die. Now I wished he would have fired me. I couldn’t believe he knew we had been making out in the prop room. I wonder if knows about the casting couch, too?
Day Fifty-One
Wednesday, September 15
“Thanks for helping me.”
I pulled the perfectly shaped green apple out of the homemade caramel Capri had made. “I’m happy to.”
“My momma thanks you, too.”
“I’ll make sure to buy one from her at the craft fair this weekend. I promised Miss Liliana I would take her.”
Capri grinned at me from the other side of the counter. “She still trying to get you and Jackson back together?”
I rolled my eyes and set the apple down on the parchment paper. “Her and everyone else I know.”
“Not me. I still think he’s a man whore.”
“You’re the only one.”
“I know.” She grimaced. “David has defected to the dark side.”
I already knew that. “Where is David? I’ve been meaning to ask him how that post coital thing was going for you guys.”
She snorted. “Now who’s evil? And by the way, he’s helping Jackson move tonight.”
My head popped up. “Really? Where to?” I didn’t realize his house sold already. Not that I would. I had been trying my best to avoid him.
She shifted uncomfortably. “He’s moving in with his daddy.”
I dropped the spoonful of caramel I had been holding.
“I don’t think he wanted you to know. I had to terrorize it out of David.”
“Did you threaten ten minutes of post coital cuddling?”
“You don’t have to pretend you’re not upset by the news.”
I grabbed some paper towel to clean up my caramel mess. “It doesn’t matter to me where he lives.”
“You’re such a liar.”
Yep, I was. Not that it already wasn’t a forgone conclusion, but his moving in with his father sealed the deal. We were never getting back together. His dad hated me and was part of the reason he broke up with me. It only proved to me that Mr. Montgomery had never been truly serious about me. I took a swipe at the warm caramel. “In thirty-nine days, it won’t matter anymore.”
“Maybe he had to do it.”
Her tone confused me. I looked up to make sure I heard her right. “Are you defending him?”
“Of course not, but I’m just saying, maybe he has money problems, or he couldn’t find a new house, or who knows. It doesn’t necessarily mean he’s giving up on you.”
“He doesn’t have money problems. He just bought a new truck and he’s always been careful about his money. And he comes from money.”
“I guess he’ll be waiting a long time then.”
“Are you sure?”
I grabbed another apple and plunged a stick in it with fury. “Very.”
Day Fifty-Three
Friday, September 17
Dear Mr. Bingley,
I’m in desperate need of a weekend. This week has been tortuous. It’s one thing to try to get over someone you’re in love with when they aren’t in love with you. It’s a whole other ballgame when they decide they really are in love with you. It doesn’t help that I’m losing allies as quickly as he’s gaining them. Just today, Dr. Walters “invited” me to head up a committee with Mr. Montgomery where we would offer a fifth block every Wednesday. This extra block, one time a week, would allow students to explore everything from a chorus group to how to get a book published. Mr. Montgomery and I have been tasked to reach out to the community to get local gurus to come in and teach the students. Mr. Crandall suggested I take my planning period to do that instead of helping him out. All three men agreed that was an excellent idea.
Capri and my dad are the only ones in my corner now. Dads were currently the only part of the male species worth knowing, in my estimation. My dad got that Mr. Montgomery had hurt me to the center of my being. That you don’t casually toss me about or toy with my emotions. Why was everyone else so quick to jump on his bandwagon?
I get that we were good together and forgiveness is a beautiful thing. I fully intend to forgive him someday, for my own well-being. That doesn’t mean we should get back together. And besides, he’s living with his dad. Does that seem weird to you, Mr. Bingley? Mr. Montgomery has always been close to his father and valued his opinion, even if it was to his own detriment—to our detriment—but he never struck me as the type to live with his dad. I always got the vibe that he needed the space from his father, that although he loved his dad, he recognized his faults.
Maybe it’s nothing more than his townhome sold quickly and he’s building a new house or something. But why didn’t he choose to live with Miss Liliana over his father? That’s another thing. I would think Mr. Montgomery the elder would see living with your parent as a sign of weakness, that he would be embarrassed to admit his son had moved home, even if it was for a legitimate reason like timing.
It’s none of my concern. I need to move on. Thirty-seven more days.
Heaven help me,
Presley
It was a rainy Friday, so I decided against going to the football game that night. I knew that made me a fair weather fan, but I needed a night to unwind from the week and to gear myself up to see Miss Liliana the next day. I knew I would be barraged with pro Mr. Montgomery propaganda. I headed to my favorite café for a little food and some self-indulgence.
Station 33 Café was a little place in downtown Riverton near the old railroad station that had been turned into a quaint museum.
I took my laptop and a book and headed to my little piece of solace for the evening. It was a damp, drizzly night that gave me a little chill. Fall was in the air. I grabbed a small table in the corner of the cozy, low-lit café and set up my laptop while I looked over the menu, both the main dishes and desserts. I was treating myself tonight. Not like I hadn’t been. Those couple of extra pounds hadn’t gone anywhere.
I ordered the pork tenderloin with applesauce chutney. While I waited for my dinner to arrive, I connected to the wi-fi to catch up on the music and entertainment scene. One of my favorite bands of all-time, Imagine Dragons, was coming to Nashville, which was about an hour and a half from here. And the concert was on my birthday, no less. I had been trying to win tickets through their website. No luck. And the show was sold out and had been for months. It was still fun to dream and watch their concert footage online. But before I could get to that, I had a notice pop up that I had a message from Connie Harris on Facebook.
My fingers went to work at lightning speed to log in to my account. I had wondered if I would ever hear from her. I felt first date anxious to see how she had responded. I eagerly read the following note:
Presley,
I can’t tell you how surprised I was to receive your note. I am indeed the former Connie Weatherly that once knew Victor Crandall. His name is a like a whisper from a time long ago. I will admit, it is sometimes a name that howls like the wind. And sometimes I wish I could forget he ever existed.
Ouch.
He is the one “what-if” in my life. And now you have presented me with a possible answer to my question. The problem is, it should have come from him. I assume that since he didn’t have the courage to contact me himself, he is still the coward that let me go all those years ago. If that is the case, then no, I would not like to reconnect with him. If, however, he is willing to reach out to me of his own accord, then I would very much like to speak with him.
Sincerely,
Connie
I sat back for a moment and stared at the screen. I felt a little underlying anger throughout the message, but I could hardly blame her. I could commiserate with her. I was in the making of my own what-if scenario. As depressing as it was, I knew I would always wonder.
In the midst of contemplating if I should tell Mr. Crandall what I had done, I heard familiar voices, actually two voices I knew well. My head popped up to see the two Mr. Montgomery’s talking to Geena, the owner. She and the younger Mr. Montgomery used to go to school together and I’m positive she had a crush on him. Too bad for her that I recognized the same look of disgust on the older Mr. Montgomery’s face when she tried to cozy up to his son. I guess owning a café wasn’t a good enough profession for him, either.
I situated my laptop the best I could and kept my head down so I wouldn’t be seen. I thought he would have gone to the game; that’s the only reason I chose our favorite place to eat tonight.
“I haven’t seen you around here in forever,” I heard Geena swoon.
“I’ve been busy,” Jackson responded. I could hear in his tone he wasn’t interested in a conversation with her.
“Son, let’s order so we can leave.” Yep, his dad was the boss. And his tone said stay away. I was familiar with it.
I tried to focus on my screen, but all the words were jumbled up. My senses were drawn to the man who was now looking at me. I felt it before I looked up and saw him grinning. I was caught. He whispered something to his dad, causing his dad to look my way. And the look he had given Geena had nothing on the glower he was giving me at the moment. Before it would have devastated me, but now I sat up straighter and glared right back. I would not be intimidated by him.
The staring contest gave the younger of the two men cause for concern. He looked between the two of us and sighed. His father’s look only became more hardened the closer his son got to me. I wasn’t backing down and kept my sights focused on senior. He finally gave in and walked to the counter to order.
I wish I could say it gave me some satisfaction, but it only hurt.
“Hey there,” the younger Mr. Montgomery’s smooth, sexy voice rang in the air.
“Hey.”
He slid into the chair across from me.
“Are you following me now?”
He grinned and shook his head. “No, but that sounds like fun.”
“This is a table for one.”
“I always thought of this as our table.”
“Why aren’t you at the game?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “My dad um, he had . . . he wanted some company tonight.”
I raised my eyebrow and noticed Jackson’s arm. He had a cotton ball and some medical tape placed in the fold of his arm, like he had given blood. “I hear you’re spending a lot of time with him now.”
He reached out to take my hand, but I pulled it back. He flexed his fingers like his dad does. “I didn’t tell you I was moving in with him because I didn’t want you to get the wrong impression.”
“You don’t o
we me any explanations.”
“Presley, can’t we at least try again? Let me take you out tomorrow night.”
His father interrupted us. I’ll admit his glower had more bite up close and made me want to wither in my seat. “Jackson, our food is coming up.”
I guess they got preferential treatment, since I was still waiting on mine. Jackson’s shoulders dropped. “Think about it.” He gave me a hopeful smile.
Our heads both turned to his father. He now looked like his head might explode. But I noticed he had lost some weight and he, too, had a cotton ball taped to the inside of his arm like his son. I guess the family that gives blood together stays together. The older Mr. Montgomery looked pale from donating.
I almost said I would go out with him, just to tick his dad off, but I was reminded that he was under the influence of his dad and that never worked out in my favor. I tucked some hair behind my ear and turned to focus back on my laptop. “I’m busy.”
“That’s too bad.” I heard the resignation in his voice. “I would say I’ll call you later, but I assume you still have me blocked.”
I nodded.
“Jackson,” his dad’s voice had even more edge to it now.
I guess Jackson didn’t care. He kissed the top of my head. “Goodnight. I can be patient.”
Warmth encompassed me. That oxytocin was a killer, and so was Jackson. I watched him walk away with my heart.
Day Fifty-Four
Saturday, September 18
“I’m thinking of doing a silver and gold theme this year for Christmas.” Miss Liliana perused a booth filled with sparkly ornaments.
It was too early for Christmas in my book, but Miss Liliana took her Christmas decorating seriously, and to her it was never too early.
“That would look lovely.”
“I want this to be a memorable year.” Her voice had a hint of emotion to it. Before I could ask about it, she took my hand. “You’re out of sorts, darling.”
I set down a snow globe I was considering for one of my nieces. “Who, me? I’m right as rain.”
How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days Page 14
