Page 11 of Tattooed By Her Silver Fox

“I know how much you love the children and the staff here. That’s why I called you in for this conversation before things get out of control.”

I lean forward in my chair, not sure where she is heading with this. “Have I done something wrong?”

“We have a strict policy on relationships with the parents of our students here.”

My heart drops, and my lungs collapse. I can’t catch my breath enough to say anything back, and even if I could, I can’t deny what Fox and I have been doing the last few weeks.

“I’m aware,” is all I can answer.

“Then you are also aware the school is equipped with several cameras.” She glances up at the four screens mounted in the corner. One screen has a clear view of the awards alcove by the main office. The one Fox pulled me into this afternoon.

Shame washes over me in a heated wave that sets my face on fire. I know Ms. Garcia sees it too.

“I’d like to think this afternoon is an isolated event, but Rosa seems to believe there is something more going on between you and Mr. Fox. If so, I need to know Vi.”

Fox hasn’t gotten out of his jeep yet. He’s waiting for me to walk out the door. Maybe even texting me, but my phone is back in my classroom. God, I hope he doesn’t decide to come looking for me.

“Are you and Mrs. Fox in a relationship, Vi?”

Under her desk, my hands are clenched. I don’t know how to answer her question, so I don’t. After several long seconds pass she leans back in her chair and sighs. “I’m going to take your silence as a yes. And, I’m going to assume since you won’t admit it that your relationship isn’t something you hold above your job. Vi, you’re a fantastic teacher. I’d hate to lose you over something as trivial as this.”

I’m not sure where to look or how to react. I can’t look at Ms. Garcia’s face and not break out into angry tears, and I’m glued to the chair out of mortification. I should be outraged. She has no right to attempt control over my love life, boss or not. But, Fox and I aren’t exactly the most conventional of couples, and if our relationship leaks to the parents of my other kids, they may call for my head on a platter as much as my principal will.

“That is all, Ms. Catto. You may go.”

I force my voice not to shake when I tell her goodbye. I’m in the ladies’ room seconds later, splashing cold water on my face for the second time today, but even though it eases the red on my face, it does little to calm the unease in my heart.

Fox has been texting me. The first is to let me know he’s here. The next are suggestions we skip dinner altogether and go ring shopping then back to his place.

I’m almost in tears again when I step out into the fresh night air. He’s out of the jeep, leaning on the side. He’s all smiles until he catches my face and a frown crosses his lips.

How do I tell this man who’s opened my life to a world of new possibilities that I must choose between him or my job?

How do I confess I’m even contemplating that question to a man I know would give up everything for me? I’m a coward, and I don’t know how to even broach the conversation.

So I don’t. I walk to Fox and bury my face in his chest and let it all flow out of me. The sooner I tell him the truth, that I can’t be his bride, the better it will be for both of us.

Fox

My heart drops to somewhere in my stomach the second I lay eyes on Vi walking toward me. Her lips are smiling, but her eyes are rimmed in red, and her cheeks are stained with tears.

I start to ask her what’s wrong, but she buries her face into my chest and wraps her arms around me, and I know she needs my comfort more than words.

When she can speak, she asks me to drive her home. The jeep is quiet the whole way back to her place, but once I park, I can’t hold off on asking what has her so upset any longer.

“Sweetness, is it what I asked you that has you so worked up?”

She shakes her head no, but then the tears begin to form again. She’s fighting them back hard. She’s a trouper, but I want her to know with me, she doesn’t have to be. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out together.

She takes in a steadying breath and looks to the street ahead. “Today, in the building, there was a camera in the hallway. The office staff saw everything.”

My chest tightens, and I think back to exactly what we did and said. “Fuck,” I whisper, remembering both kisses. I may have even snaked my hand down to cup her ass cheek, but honest to God, I can’t remember for sure. “Vi. I…” I don’t know what to say.

“It’s fine.” A sob breaks over her words. “I just can’t be dating the parent of one of my kids while they are in my classroom. School rule.”

“How fucked up is that rule? I’m not even Bash’s parent. Did you tell her that?”

“No.” Her voice is stronger. “I don’t think it would even matter. Two years ago, we had a teacher dating a parent, and when they broke up, things got nasty and brought into the school. I don’t think she’d care that your Bash’s grandfather. Actually, that might make things even worse when the gossip tree gets ahold of the information.”

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