Page 36 of Teaching His Babygirl

The bell rings, and I jump. Colt squeezes my hand and murmurs that it’s okay. I laugh a little at my jumpiness. “Sorry, I’m being ridiculous,” I say to the men.

Both of them give me hard looks. “You have nothing to be sorry about,” Colt says. “You’re handling everything really well, considering.”

I laugh a little manically. “If this is me handling things well…”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. This isn’t something anyone can prepare for,” Jasper says. “I don’t want you to worry today. Just go about your day like you normally would.”

Easy for him to say. He’s not the one who has a psychopath stalking him. They’ve all promised I’ll never be alone, that someone will always be watching over me, even when it seems they’re not. I release a deep breath, deciding to trust that they can keep me safe. What else is there to do?

“Okay. Normal…”

The warning bell rings, and it’s time for me to head to class. Colt gives me a quick kiss and I woodenly leave, feeling the cold fingers of dread creeping in.

I’m halfway to my room when I see Melinda. With a happy squeal, the slight woman throws herself at me and hugs me tight. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I’ve been so worried about you,” she says.

I hug her back, thankful to have found such a great friend. “I’m okay,” I say even though it’s only partially true. I’m fine from the attack she’s talking about but more messed up over the Levi Troy stalking crisis. We—meaning the guys protecting me—decided to keep the stalking under wraps for now. I agreed because I don’t want him potentially harming anyone else.

Mel and I walk side-by-side towards our classrooms. “So, Mr. James, huh?” she asks with a teasing smirk.

My cheeks flush pink, and I’m brought out of the worry for a moment and into the fact that my friend now knows about my boyfriend and he’s no longer a secret. “Yeah…”

“I’m happy for you. Colt’s a good man.”

“Thanks. I’ll admit, I’m nervous about everyone knowing. I don’t want anyone to feel like I get special treatment because I’m dating him.”

Mel] rolls her eyes. “Not at all. He’s a fair man. Honestly, we are all happy for him. He’s been alone for a long time and he deserves to be happy.”

“Do you think he’s happy?” I ask.

“We were all speculating on why the man was walking around the school with a smile on his face. Before you, he was a bit of a surly grump.”

Colt? A grump? I’ve never seen him surly or grumpy. He’s been my stern daddy often enough, but he’s never been grumpy around me. Well, he’s been downright pissed off over what happened with Leon and now Levi, but those are extenuating circumstances. I can’t imagine him being anything but the smiling, warm-hearted man he’s been with me since day one.

Yes, he’s a stern disciplinarian, but that’s also something that doesn’t count. That’s all part of being my daddy. It’s always tinged with a softer emotion. We’re at my classroom before I have time to really dissect what she’s saying.

“Lunch?” Mel asks.

I want to say yes, but at the same time can’t imagine leaving the safety of the school. I chew on my lip as I waffle between living my life normally like Jasper said or being a fraidy cat and eating lunch here. Fraidy cat wins. “I’ve got a lot to catch up on, maybe a quick one in the lounge?”

She gives me a happy smile. “Sounds good. Good luck today. I know your students have been worried.”

“Thanks.”

She waves over her shoulder on her way to her own classroom.

* * *

The first halfof the day flies by. It turns out my students were worried about me—even Todd, who gave me a hard time that first day alongside Leon. Without Leon’s influence, Todd is a good kid. I have high hopes for him now that he’s seen Leon’s true colors. Maybe he can make better decisions than his friend encouraged.

I’m exhausted from fielding questions from my students about what happened and if I’m okay. I didn’t realize how much it would take out of me to have to tell even the bare bones of the story over and over. By the time lunch rolls around, I’m ready for a break from my beloved classroom.

Halfway to the teachers’ lounge, I notice Coach Cooper following me. I turn and give him a startled glance. He gives me a warm smile and closes the distance between us. “Sorry, Darlene, I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m helping Colt and Jasper keep an eye on things. I thought they told you,” he says lowly as to not be overheard.

I let out a sigh of relief. Of course Colt would have his best friend watching out for me. It only makes sense. “Of course!” I say brightly, faking some of my usual perky self. “I should’ve guessed the guys would rope you into this thing.”

He gives me a look that is all at once stern and concerned. “I volunteered to watch over you. No one deserves to go through what you did. And this whole business with Levi Troy,” he hisses. “Well, let’s just say, I won’t be one bit disappointed if I have to knock him down a few pegs.”

I giggle a little at that. “I would love it if he got knocked down more than a few.”

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