Page 22 of Finding Hope

I think he’s into her.

“I think we like you. Last year, Evie’s teacher was a crotchety old cow. We didn’t…gel.”

Mrs. Grober… Ididn’t gel with her, either.

“Thank God she retired,” he continues. “We appreciate that you’re not quite so… crotchety.”

I laugh and step around my desk. “You’re welcome. I mean, if Evie’s in the wrong, I won’t shield her. Funny or not, she can’t be a bully, either. But, I’ve never had a problem with her. She has a brutal knowledge on right and wrong, good and bad. She’s a great ally, but I fear, if she ever turns on me, she might be my downfall.”

When Tina laughs – and neither of them contradict me – I shake my head and step toward the door. “Don’t worry, Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid. I’ll always stand up for the kid in the right. Somehow, even kicking kids in the head, Evie still ends up on therightside.”

“Fairness is all we can ask for.” Stopping at the door and extending her hand, Tina takes mine and makes me wish I was as beautiful as she was. “Thank you again. We appreciate your time.”

“You’re so welcome.”Holy squee!Aiden shakes my hand. “Um.” I clear my throat. “Your daughter’s really cool, so good job.”

Standing in front of the mirror and concentrating on my makeup, I smudge the eyeshadow, draw in the cat eyes, and smile as I transform from middle-school teacher to the weekend me.

Swapping out my jewelry – unclasping my elegant gold chain and single pearl drop earrings, and replacing them with leather wrist bands, silver bangles, dangling earrings, and the single nose ring – I poke my tongue out and briefly consider a tongue piercing.

I won’t.

I wouldn’t be able to hide it so easily, but it’s fun to consider.

Finishing my decorations and grinning at the fun jangling noises my bracelets make, I move onto straightening my already straight hair, and when I’m done, I mess it up again until it’s sexy, notjustmessy.

Tearing off a plaid pyjama shirt and revealing my naked torso, I smile at more bling and the hidden ink I have covering one side of my body.

These are much easier hidden. Little secrets that I can carry around with me, even when wearing mysensibleclothes.

My entire left ribcage is covered in swirling flowers, birds, trees. With copyright violations galore, I have ripped lyrics and book quotes woven in everywhere.

I take out what could only be described as ascrapof slinky black material. With thin straps to hold it around my neck and another thin strap to hold it all together at the small of my back, there’s not a whole lot more to it.

A strong gust could probably get me arrested for public indecency… my brothers wouldnotlove that.

Smiling as I pull the soft fabric on, I fasten the ties and admire the way the black fabric contrasts with my fair skin. I’m not an egotist, and I definitely have my self-doubts – not everyone can be as beautiful as Evie’s mom – but I’ve always been aware of my slim waist, my delicate frame, my narrow hips.

I know men appreciate my shape, and I can’t say I’ve ever hated the attention.

Pulling tiny leather shorts over a tinier lace thong, then thigh high boots that when being zipped – orunzipped– send seductive tingles through my body, I smile at my finished reflection in the mirror.

If any of my school kids ever saw me like this, they’d never believe it was me.

Picking up my cell and groaning at the forty-three messages – fortythree isnotan exaggeration – I open the group chat that’salwaysblowing up my phone, and grin at the rapid-fired texts zinging across my screen.

Jess and Laine are almost ready. They’ll meet us at the club. Kari’s brother is being a grump, so she’s coming outafterhe leaves to meet up with the guys.

Grabbing my purse and heading into the hallway, the second I step into the kitchen, I come to a screeching stop at my brother’s feral glare.

“Nope.” Standing over the sink and stuffing a sandwich in his face, he brushes crumbs from his shirt and glares. “Take your ass back upstairs and try again. You forgot to get dressed.”

I roll my eyes. “I am dressed.”

“Ah, no, you’re not. I can see half your body.Andside boob.”

“I look good, huh?” I spin, just to annoy him. “This is a new top.”

“It’s a new waste of money. You could’ve made that top out of toilet paper.”

---