“Knock, knock.”I clench my jaw, trying to hide my irritation at hearing Erin Tuckwood at the door.“Afternoon, Noa.”
Blowing out a short breath, I get to my feet and plaster on the most real fake smile I can muster before addressing him.“Afternoon, Principal Tuckwood.How are you?”Maintaining professionalism is not what he wants.In fact, I believe he’s been working up to asking me out on a date.
“Noa, I’ve told you, call me Erin.We’ve worked together long enough to be more casual together.”
My skin crawls.
He’s right, we have worked together for a long time.Enough for me to know what an asshole he is.Especially to the female student body and his bias towards the school’s sports stars.On more than one occasion, I’ve caught him scolding teachers for failing students, threatening their jobs until they give passing grades.
“Plenty, I’m sure.What can I do for you?”I refuse to use his name because I’m almost certain that’ll be the catalyst for asking me out.
“Can’t a principal check in on his favorite teacher?”
Gross.Holding back a gag, I give a tight smile.“I suppose as long as everyone feels the same support.”
His lips thin, his jaw tightens at my subtle call out.
“Indeed, well, have a good day, Miss Carmichael.”
Thank god.
He leaves just as the bell rings, and I wait for the class to return before walking everyone outside to make sure they get where they need to be.
Strolling to my car, I sit in it for a minute just to shake off the tiredness before cranking over the stuttering engine and heading to the daycare to pick up the kids.Thankfully, it’s at the school Joey and Kylie attend.
I’ve barely parked before Joey storms from the building, a sobbing Emma in his arms and a scowl on his face, even Kylie looks pissed off as she carries their bags behind him.
“What’s the matter?”
Emma reaches for me as soon as she sees me, and I take her into my arms, her nearly strangling me as I wait for an answer.
“That boy bit her again.”Joey grabs Emma’s leg to show me the welt with imprints from his teeth.
“Good lord.”Anger ignites my veins.This is the fourth time this month, and it’s likely much of the reason why Emma has been having such a hard time lately.
“Oh, Noa.Good, you haven’t left yet.”Sophie, Emma’s teacher, approaches, looking remorseful; the only reason I don’t lose my mind on her.
“Again, Sophie?This is the fourth time.”Unfortunately, my outrage is difficult to disguise.
“I apologize.We’ve kept them separated as much as possible.However, I’ve spoken to the director and expressed how severe the situation has become.I’ve requested the boy be removed from daycare; however, that is going to take a bit of time.”Emma turns her face away from Sophie when the woman tries to smile at her.
“I don’t think we have time, Sophie.What happens if Emma does it back?Then she’s in trouble, right?This is unacceptable.I’ll be calling the director myself as soon as I get her to calm down.”I’m ordinarily not rude, but as I turn my back on a woman I’ve gotten along with since meeting her, I know she feels my anger now.
“We won’t have to leave school, will we?”Kylie asks, biting her nails.A nervous habit she picked up while living with Matt.
“No, sweetheart, no one is leaving school.”I’ll make sure it’s not a concern for any of them.“Any ideas for dinner?”I ask as I buckle Emma into her car seat.
“Nuggies!”Emma cheers.
“Pasghetti?”Kylie asks, frowning because she still can’t say the word right.
“Whatever they want,” Joey says as he helps Kylie with the car seat buckles before doing up his own.
“How about both, and then we’ll have some leftovers for tomorrow night?”Not cooking tomorrow sounds divine.“Maybe we can watch a movie tonight?”
Kylie and Joey get excited about that, then start talking about what they want to watch while Emma mumbles along with them.My shoulders sag with relief on the drive to the grocery store.I just really need to put my feet up tonight, so playing a movie would do the trick.
CHAPTER3
