“Ready to go, sweetie?” Natalie’s cheerful voice filled the room, her smile warm and encouraging as she looked at Mia. The little girl bobbed her head, her dark braids swinging with the motion, a grin spreading across her face.
Mia’s father swept her up in his arms, enveloping her in a fierce bear hug. His muscular arms tightened around her slight frame, as if bracing himself to let her go, his voice full of love andconcern as he murmured into her hair. “Be good for Mr. Parker, okay,princesa? And eat all your lunch.” He kissed the top of her hair. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
Mia’s tiny arms wound around his neck, her face nuzzling into his shoulder as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek, her voice filled with childlike innocence and trust. “Okay, Papi. I’ll be good.”
My breath caught in my throat at the tender display, and I wondered what my life would have been like with that sort of outward emotional love from my dad.
Cut it out, Ken.The last thing I needed was more emotional baggage today.
Mia skipped to my side, her small hand slipping into mine with complete trust. We left the office together, Mia peering back at her father and waving. I glanced back as well, meeting Marc Mendez’s gaze, and offered him an encouraging smile, hoping to convey the sincerity of my words.
Despite the emotions swirling within me, I meant what I said.
I would care for Mia as if she were my own. Also—Marc’s secret, and mine, were safe with me.
I nodded at them one last time before turning my focus to Mia, and another wave of guilt washed over me. Marc Mendez seemed like a genuinely nice guy and utterly devoted father, while I had spent the last year and a half objectifying him as some creature created to help me when I wanted to get off.
My mind battled a chaotic mix of admiration for this caring parent and the lingering embarrassment of knowing what his handsome face looked like when he orgasmed, the delicious sounds he made…
Fuck.
Mia’s little hand felt so small and fragile in mine as we made our way down the hallway. Shaking all thoughts of her father, I slowed my brisk pace to match her shorter strides. “I can’t wait for you to meet your new classmates,” I told her with genuineenthusiasm for this new student. “We’re going to have so much fun together for the rest of this year.”
Mia beamed up at me. “I’m excited about school! Daddy says I’ll make lots of friends.”
“You sure will. The kids in my class are very kind.”
We rounded the corner, and I nearly collided with Nancy Henderson, one of the third-grade teachers. My heart skipped a beat as I met her steely gaze. Nancy had never been particularly warm to me, her disapproval of my presence in the school always simmering beneath the surface of her polite facade.
She was not what one would call “an ally.”
“Mr. Parker,” she murmured in a clipped tone, her black eyes narrowing as they flicked from me to Mia and our joined hands.
A forced smile maintained my professional demeanor despite the hostility crackling between us. “Good morning, Mrs. Henderson.” I glanced down at Mia. “I’ve got a new student today. This is Mia.”
Mia, oblivious to the undercurrent of hostility, beamed up at Nancy. “Hi,” she said shyly.
Nancy’s lips twitched, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Welcome to Blanco Springs Elementary, Mia.” She turned her attention back to me, her gaze sharpening. “I trust you’ll ensure she settles in well, Mr. Parker.”
I met Nancy’s sharp gaze, refusing to let her unspoken judgment rattle me.
During a recent school board meeting, Nancy had been enthusiastic about a community-wide initiative to ban LGBTQ+ content in schools, her voice ringing out with fervor as she passionately argued for the “protection of our children’s innocence.”
The memory made my stomach hurt.
The brief fling I’d had three years ago with her nephew Alex hadn’t endeared me to her, either.
It ended amicably enough when he made it clear he wasn’t ready to be out, to hold my hand in public or introduce me to his family. I understood his fear, especially after meeting Nancy.
But while I didn’t scream ‘fag’ in my clothing and mannerisms, that didn’t mean I was on board with being someone’s dirty little secret.
“I’m sure Mia will thrive in your class.” Nancy’s words dripped with false sincerity. “Let’s hope she doesn’t face any…undue influences.”
My jaw clenched, the implication behind her words crystal clear. In Nancy’s eyes, I would always be a threat, a corruptive force because of who I loved. I forced a tight smile. “Every child in my class is treated with respect and kindness, Mrs. Henderson. Mia will be no exception.”
Nancy’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded, her heels clicking against the linoleum as she brushed past us.
I let out a slow breath, and the tension eased from my shoulders as her evil presence receded.
