Everett steps in between us. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
Brian folds his arms. “I recall informing both of you week one that I would be finding someone else to help. This shouldn’t come as a surprise.”
“And it’s been amonthsince then. Summer has taken the lead on this for four weeks, and you’re just going to come in here and kick her out?”
“Does this mean we have to go back to the play?” Etta’s bottom lip wobbles. “There aren’t any fairies inThe Rainbow Fish.”
Brian’s gaze tracks to the heap of props beyond the stage curtain he must have missed. He ignores Etta’s question and looks at Everett. “Nobody said anything about kicking Summer out, Mr. Dawson. She can stay if she wants to.”
“I’d love to see what you all have been working on,” Miss Amy says. Her supportive tone adds another voice to an already overwhelming majority on our side.
No matter what, this isn’t a conversation Brian’s going to win. He knows we’re right. There’s no time to start over. Props have been made and parts rehearsed. We need all the practice we can get. Memorizing lines takes weeks. These kids would never be ready in time for the play that was planned before.
I touch Everett’s arm. “It’s okay. I’d like the opportunity to explain.”
“I guess you’ll be filling her in on this talent show,” Brian grumbles to Everett as he steps away from the group.
Be right back, I mouth to everyone before following Brian into the hallway. I wait until the door closes behind us and we’re clear down the hallway out of earshot before I start speaking. “I can explain…”
He whips around. “There’s nothingtoexplain. Typical Summer, doing whatever she wants.”
“This isn’t about me,” I argue. “These kids want a voice. They had no say in the play before.”
“Yet they still chose to show up. It’s voluntary.”
“Yes, because they’re creative and smart and funny and interesting and they wanted to showcase that. Instead of forcing what that looks like, I letthemtake control. Don’t you want that for the students at your school?
Didn’t you want that for me?The underlying message of that comment hangs in the air between us.
“It wasn’t your place to say yes to this!” he chastises.
“I know. I should have run it by you. But this isn’t even about the talent show and you know it. This is about control over me!”
He scoffs. “There is no controlling you. That much is obvious. Now, apparently, you’ve resorted to making stuff up to look successful too. A law firm, Summer? Nice cover-up.”
“Excuse me?”
“According toCeleb Magazine, you’re nothing but a glorified babysitter.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, heading for the gymnasium door. This conversation no longer deserves my time.
He snags my wrist. “Did you wear the red dress for him too?”
I jerk my arm away. “That’s none of your business.”
A chuckle bubbles up from his chest, dark and diabolical. “You think this one will last any longer than every other job you’ve failed when you’re screwing your boss?”
He doesn’t see it coming. One second he’s smirking at me and the next I’ve slapped it off his face. A stinging sensation spreads across my palm as he lifts his hand to cover the red welt it left behind.
“What do you want from me, Brian?Youleftme!”
“I want you foronceto have to work for what you have,” he spits, dropping his hand.
My mouth falls open. “You’re jealous. That’s what our divorce was. You’ve been strapped to a career you detest for years, and you resent me for not experiencing the same thing. Well, guess what, Brian… you chose this life for yourself. I never asked you to follow in your father’s footsteps. I would have supported you through anything you wanted to become.”
“Support me with what money, Summer? You were never realistic. We would have been broke if it wasn’t for me!”
“I wasn’t talking about finances. Heaven forbid we have an emotional connection over a fiscal one. I didn’t need the house with the land or a title attached to my name. I would have been happy in a shack if it meant we were passionate about each other and pursuing our dreams.”
