Clem squeezed Anna’s hand. “Sounds like a cutie. We’ll have to go to a game. Let Uncle Silas give him the once overand”—she pointed at Brooklyn —“make sure there are no pink flags.”
“Yasss.” Brooklyn said, impressed with Clem’s mastery of their foreign language. “But you better hurry.” She made duck lips. “With the way he kept glancing at her in Personal Finance, I give it two weeks before they’re in a situationship and having a DTR.”
I was so lost. “Situationship?” My eyebrow raised. “No ships allowed. Of any kind. Anna can’t date till she graduates. College.”
Anna tilted her head, not amused. I wasn’t kidding.
The one-minute warning bell blasted.
“Gotta go.” She leaned through the window and hugged Clem and me at the same time. With our heads smashed together, she whispered, “Don’t worry about tomorrow. We’ve got this. Team Trifecta to the very end.”
I gulped, wishing I had her confidence. Her custody hearing was tomorrow afternoon. And while we’d prepared as best we could, Clem and I knew it looked bad that we hadn’t made it the ninety days.
Anna stepped back, gave me a quick up and down, and flicked her hand like I’d burned it. “Sheesh, Uncle Si. You should wear a suit more often.”
“That’s what I’m sayin’,” Brooklyn said with zero expression. They waved and walked away.
Clem looked at me, brow lifted. “Did you understand all of that?”
I pinched my fingers almost together. Then I exhaled, facing facts. “It’s time.”
She pressed her hand against the lapel of my suit jacket, her emerald eyes softening. “You clean up nice, cowboy.” She smoothed out my collar one last time. “Don’t sweat it. You’ve got this.”
“Yep,” I said. “Because they’re desperate at this point.”
As I stepped out of the truck, she smacked me on the rear end, making me laugh.
She slid into the driver’s seat and leaned out of the open window. “Text me when you’re done and I’ll be here in five.”
A nod and one more kiss to her supple lips. And then I turned and walked into Seddledowne High School.
I tried to ignore the students side-eyeing me as I ambled up the inclined hallway. This building had seemed oversized and looming when I’d attended. But now, as a full-grown adult, with a decade of life, loss, and love behind me, I no longer felt like a terrified teenager waiting for whatever the universe threw at me. Surreal was this right here. Being back in Seddledowne, trying to get an assistant principal job at my old school. It was the stuff bad dreams were made of. And yet, it was exactly where I wanted to be.
“Mr. Dupree.” A squat lady with curled, short black hair about the same age as my parents greeted me as I came toward the auditorium doors. Her blue eyes sparkled. “When they told me it was little Silas Dupree we were meeting today, I couldn’t believe it.”
I squinted, and recognition hit me. “Mrs. Travers?” My third-grade teacher.
She twinkled. “You remembered?”
I squeezed her outstretched hand. “Of course. I couldn’t forget you. You’re the reason I became a teacher.” It was true. She and Mr. Montrose, tenth grade, accounting. They were the standards I held myself to every day.
She put a hand over her heart and I thought she might cry. “Well.” She rubbed a spot on her chest. “Let me be the first member of the school board to welcome you as the new assistant principal of Seddledowne High School.”
I got the job? My eyes widened, but I quickly recovered. “Oh. I thought there was another interview.”
She shook her head, a pleased expression taking over. “No.No need for that. We all know who you are and what kind of family you come from.” She leaned closer and whispered, even though her mouth only hit halfway up my bicep. “Personally, I think you should’ve gotten the principal job and not the lady. A Seddledowne graduate or an outsider? Shouldn’t have even been a discussion. But nobody listens to me since it’s my first year on the board.” She shrugged. “But, she did apply two weeks ahead of you. And, well, when the principal in Laramie was on the phone…”
She didn’t need to finish. Let’s just say Mrs. Serafin hadn’t taken the news so well. I was lucky Seddledowne even considered me after Serafin got done.
I waved my hands. “No. This is perfect. I’m happy to be here. I’m so grateful you all are taking a chance on me. I’m putting down roots. I’m committed to Seddledowne and I’m excited to jump in with both feet. Whatever is needed.”
She patted my arm. “That’s exactly what I told them.” She smiled up at me. “You always were a good boy. All you Dupree boys were.” Her voice turned solemn. “And Sophie. I’m so sorry about that.”
I dipped my chin. “Yes, ma’am.”
She sighed and straightened as she peered through the glass on the double doors. “Looks like they’re about ready for you.” Her hand curled around the push bar. “It’s so crazy that you and Principal Thornbury are both University of Wyoming graduates. The exact same master’s program. What’re the chances?”
She pushed the door open, but I stopped dead, completely rattled.
