HARPER
Marcus
Hey, I’m going to be a little late from practice today. Would you mind taking the girls home? Emma is sick
Harper
Sure, I can do that
You’re a lifesaver.
They have chess practice in the library
I owe you
I can think of a few ways you can pay me back…
Damn it, Harper. I’m at practice
I can’t have this problem
Well, then I guess you’re going to have to make it up to me tonight
You’re evil
Ilaugh, grabbing my purse from my desk and tucking my phone into it. I gather up my lesson plans and papers, hiding them away in my desk for tomorrow. Being ahead has its perks. Instead of having to worry about them tonight, I can spend the time with the girls.
Before, I would have spent all night working on my plans. It was all I would do during the week. I had the occasional nights out with friends, but school always came first.
Since Marcus came back into my life, it feels like I actually have one now.
Heading toward the library, I peek through the windows and watch the remainder of chess practice. A few students are gathered around Sadie and another boy who are playing one another. They’re both concentrating hard, but I know the moment the move comes to Sadie. Her face lights up and she’s moving her piece with easy confidence.
The two of them shake hands and I know she’s won.
That’s my girl.
Damn it. I don’t need to be thinking of them like that. They’re not mine. Marcus has always meant so much to me, but now, so do his girls. Marcus and I fell into this thing between the two of us so easily, that I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.
I handled the heartbreak once. I don’t know if I could do it again.
Shaking off the thoughts, I head into the library to watch the end of practice.
“Hey, Harper.”
“Hi, Max,” I greet the fifth-grade teacher who is in charge of the club. “I’m taking the girls home tonight.”
“I just saw the email come through.”
“Miss Smith! I won!” Sadie comes bolting over to me, jumping up and down with excitement. “I haven’t beat a fifth grader yet.”
“Did you tell him it was a good game?”
She nods, hair spilling out of her ponytail. “I did. We shook hands.”
“Good job.” An idea comes to mind. “What do you say we get ice cream on the way home to celebrate your big win?”
“Ice cream?” Sam comes over, threading her arms through her backpack straps. “We never get ice cream on the way home from school.”
