Page 33 of Teaching His Babygirl

With a knuckle under her chin, I lift her face to mine. “You have nothing to feel ashamed for… we are both consenting adults. So what if you’re a babygirl? So what if I’m a daddy dom? There are way more of us out there than you’d think. Heck, there are several working at the school.”

She closes her eyes in a grimace. “I just don’t like the thought of people judging me. You know how people can be. I don’t want to be known as the pervert.”

I wrap her up in my arms again. “You’re not at fault here, Darlene. I think you’re wrong about people judging us—you. I have faith that everything is going to work out.”

“I hope you’re right,” she says morosely.

With even more reluctance than last night, I leave Darlene’s apartment and a huge piece of my heart behind. If she feels better knowing that people aren’t talking about her, then I’ll do everything in my power to stop any incorrect rumors before they spread like wildfire.

The first thing I do is call everyone in for a staff meeting before school starts, deciding it’s best to start off with complete transparency.

Melinda is one of the first teachers in the room. She shyly comes up to me with a look of concern on her face. I know she is close to Darlene, and I’m sure she’s more worried than most.

“Is it true that Mr. Troy attacked Darlene?” she asks in hushed tones.

My brow furrows at the question. Is that the rumor going around? Or just an assumption on Melinda’s part? “No, it was Leon Zimmerman.”

She gasps. “A student attacked her?”

I nod gravely. “Yes, it seems he saw us together and decided to get revenge for missing out on two important games.”

“I just assumed… I mean, all of us girls sort of thought it was Levi because he disappeared after you took Darlene home.”

“He did?”

“Yeah, we all had to scramble to help cover his classes. I just… I mean, he’d been borderline harassing her since she started. I can’t believe it was a student.”

The wheels in my head are turning, trying to figure out why Levi would disappear like that. I know it wouldn’t have been out of concern for Darlene nor Leon. Is he connected to her attack in some way? I make a note to talk to Jasper as soon as the meeting is over. If anyone can find out why he cut out without a word, it’s him.

“Okay, now that we are all here, I want to discuss what occurred yesterday. I’m sure some of you have already heard Miss Larson was attacked in her classroom yesterday—” I have to pause because of all of the gasps. “I’ve heard there’s a rumor going around that Mr. Troy was the one involved. That is incorrect. Leon Zimmerman is the one who attacked her. He was arrested, and she is pressing charges.”

There are more gasps and whispers. I raise my hand to quiet everyone down. “Another thing that I want to disclose is that Darlene and I are seeing each other. I know several of you were questioning this, and I don’t want rumors flying around. Yes, we are dating.”

Many people smile, and there are congratulations thrown out there. No one looks scandalized or shocked even. I have to wonder if we were as discreet in our sneaking around as we thought we were being. Either way, everyone is supportive. There is an outpouring of well-wishes for Darlene, and many asking if there is anything they can do for her. She quickly became a part of the Thurston family with her sweet demeanor and helpful attitude. Everyone adores her. I promise to pass along the well-wishes and dismiss everyone to get ready for classes to start.

“Hey, Coop,” I call out before he can leave too. “Can I have a word?”

He nods and follows me into my office. “What’s up?”

“Did Jasper tell you the details of what happened?”

“Only the basics. Why?” he asks, concerned.

“Somehow, Leon knew the nature of our relationship. Not just that we are seeing each other. He said some… concerning things regarding it. One of the only reasons I agreed to come in today was because of how worried Darlene is about people talking about her. She doesn’t want people judging her for dating me, let alone for the kind of relationship we have.”

Coop's eyes grow wide, and he shakes his head. “How would that little fuck know? Someone at The Playground? No one would talk to him… or anyone for that matter. All the members sign non-disclosures.”

“I just don’t understand how he could’ve found out. Have you heard anything about Levi being out?” I ask. “Melinda told me he took off yesterday without telling anyone, and he wasn’t at the staff meeting today.”

“I haven’t heard anything. Want me to ask Jasper to look into it?”

“Yeah, do that.” If anyone can get to the bottom of what’s going on with Levi, it’s Jasper. Whether through legal methods… or questionable ones, he will figure out what the little fucker is up to. I don’t like the timing of him disappearing from school at the same time as the attack. Something isn’t adding up, and I want to know why.

* * *

I’m goingthrough emails when there’s a knock on my office door. Judy is at lunch, or she would’ve announced who is here. I’ve had a lot of people dropping in today asking if there is anything they can do for Darlene. It’s sweet but fucking exhausting.

“Come in,” I call out. The door swings open, and Jasper strides in with a grim look on his face. “Hey, man. Did you find out anything?”

---