Toby pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s what you got from reading the article?”
“Well, of course not.” She blew out a long breath and dropped back into her chair. “The whole thing is bullshit.” She rubbed her hands along her thighs. “How much trouble am I in now?”
She could see incoming calls lighting up Toby’s phone, which he kept ignoring. She’d bet it wasn’t an influx of student enrollments. Parents would be furious at seeing their teacher’s butt splashed over the internet.
“Parents are complaining. They’re questioning the morals of their teacher.”
“And what did you say to them?”
“I told them they can’t believe everything they read and that your work at this school is of high standard, and unless it affects class in any way, you will continue to teach.”
Jade’s shoulders slumped, and she blew out a relieved breath. “Thanks, Toby. I’m so sorry I’ve put you in this position. What can I do to make it up to you?”
“Stop getting your arse on the internet,” he said as he shook his head.
“It’s not like I planned it,” she grumbled.
Toby’s face grew serious. “I can’t keep saving you. If anything else happens, whether or not it’s your fault, I have to act on the parents’ concerns.”
“I promise I’ll stay out of trouble.” She made a cross sign over her heart.
* * * *
Only seven students from grades four and five showed up to their music lesson. Jade wanted to cancel, it was hardly worth Nate’s time, but he insisted he wanted to continue.
They hadn’t had time to talk about the latest internet scandal, and she didn’t know how he felt about what they had quoted her saying. Would he think she believed their time together was turning into something more? The lesson seemed to drag on forever. All she wanted to do was explain to Nate they’d made it all up and her feelings hadn’t changed. Doubt made a sharp twist in her heart. No. Nothing had or would change.
Finally, class was over and she said goodbye to the kids and the parents picking them up. Nate was quiet as he packed away the instruments and placed the sheet music in folders. Her stomach tightened. Was he mad at her?
“I’m guessing you saw what happened this morning?” she said. Her stomach fluttered with nerves.
He nodded.
Crap, he is mad. “I’m so sorry. They followed me to the grocery store, and they told me they’d leave me alone if I answered a couple of questions. But they took what I said out of context and turned it into a lie. I’m such an idiot. I should never have agreed.” The explanation flew from her mouth.
He threw a folder on the floor and sheet music scattered everywhere. “You are not an idiot.” He stormed closer and dropped his hands on her shoulders. “Those fuckers had no right following you around.”
“I didn’t confirm we were in a relationship. He asked me something completely different.”
Sliding his hands up and down her arms as if to soothe her, he said, “They know how to twist words around and make up bullshit.”
“Are you mad at me?”
Nate’s eyes grew wide. “Why the hell would I be mad at you? I’m the one who put you in this position. You should be pissed at me. I’m sorry to have done this to you.”
She dropped her forehead on his chest for a beat, taking a moment to drag in a steadying breath. Emotions which felt deeper than friendship stirred in her chest, but she pushed them away before she looked back at him. “I’m starting to understand why you use a disguise.”
“Makes life easier,” he said.
“Until I screwed it all up.”
“You screwed nothing up. This will pass. I hate how you’re taking the brunt of it.”
He cupped her face in his hands, and her gaze landed on his lips right before he covered her mouth with his. She melted against him, wrapping her arms around his waist for support.
“Lachlan forgot his school bag—”
They sprang apart and twirled around at the interruption. Lachlan’s mother stood in the doorway gaping at them.
