The twins.
I snatch up the phone, my hands shaking. "Hello?"
"Ms. Wilson?" The voice on the other end is tense. "This is Sandra from Riverside Elementary. I'm calling about your sons. There's been an incident at the overnight camp."
22
BLAKE
My truck feels too small with Mia's anxiety filling every inch of available space. Her hands twist in her lap, fingers knotting and unknotting in a rhythm that matches my accelerating heartbeat. I keep my eyes on the road, but my peripheral vision catches every nervous movement she makes.
We decided Jack, as a school principal, shouldn't go to the elementary school and Noah used to substitute there, so he stayed behind as well.
"They're going to be okay," I say, trying to inject confidence I don't entirely feel into my voice. "Kids get into fights. It happens."
"Not my kids." Her voice cracks on the last word. "Rory and Corey don't fight. They're good boys. They're ..."
She trails off and I risk a glance at her. Tears streak down her cheeks, catching the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windshield. My chest tightens with the urge to pull over and hold her, but Riverside Elementary is only two minutes away.
"I'm sorry," she says, shaking her head. "I don't usually cry so easily. I guess it's just everything, with Emma and now this."
I understand and try to change the subject a little. "I didn't know you had kids."
She nods. "Twin boys. They're nine."
"Why didn't you say anything? Do the others know?" I keep my tone gentle, non-accusatory.
She shakes her head again. "No. I haven't said anything because everything is already so complicated. Because I didn't want you to think I was using you or that I expected anything. Because I'm terrified of what happens when people find out. I don't want my sons caught up in the gossip about me."
I reach over and squeeze her hand. Her fingers are ice cold despite the warm day. "Hey. Look at me."
She turns those blue eyes on me, swimming with tears and fear.
"I'm not going anywhere," I tell her firmly. "You having kids doesn't change how I feel about you. If anything, it makes me respect you more. Raising twins alone? That takes serious strength."
A small, watery smile crosses her face. "You say that now. Wait until you meet them."
"I'm looking forward to it."
And I mean it. The revelation should probably freak me out more than it does. I'm falling for a woman with two kids, involved in an unconventional relationship with two other men, and carrying enough baggage to fill a freight train. But somehow,none of that matters as much as the way she looks at me with hope breaking through her fear.
I pull into the elementary school parking lot and cut the engine. The building is smaller than Riverside Academy, a single-story with cheerful murals painted on the exterior walls. Since the school is closed, the parking lot is mostly empty.
Inside, the secretary directs us to the principal's office with a sympathetic smile that makes my stomach clench. Whatever happened must be bad if we're getting the sympathy treatment.
Principal Henderson is a woman in her fifties with kind eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor. She stands when we enter, gesturing to the chairs across from her desk.
"Miss Wilson. Thank you for coming so quickly." Her gaze shifts to me with polite curiosity.
"This is Blake Morgan," Mia says. "He's a colleague and friend."
Friend. The word stings a little, but I understand why she's keeping our relationship vague.
"Mr. Morgan." Principal Henderson nods at me before returning her attention to Mia. "I'm afraid we had an incident today involving your sons."
Mia's back goes rigid. "What kind of incident?"
"Rory punched another student at the campground. When a teacher intervened, Corey jumped in to defend his brother. Both boys ended up in trouble and were sent back here."
