Page 49 of Legal

“That’s good. Say, I heard you found my phone by the swings after practice. Thank you so, so much. That phone was super important to me, and I’m really happy to have it back.”

Her grin covered her entire face. “You’re welcome.” She hugged me before taking off to her grandmother’s car. What a sweet girl. I waved, then focused back to the mission on hand.

I enjoyed the artwork posted on the walls as I strolled down to the end of the hall. I wondered if any of the artists were Chase’s kids, which made me laugh softly. It was amusing to think of Chase having kids when he was barely an adult himself.

The door to his room was open, and I crept up silently. I didn’t want to interrupt, but I was curious to hear what he was teaching. I peeked in then darted back before he could see me. He was standing at the board, a handful of kids sitting in desks in front of him.

“A quarter note?” one of the girls said, doubtfully.

“Excellent. Keep it up, Lily, and you could be the next Bach.” She giggled, and I chuckled along. “Now, what about this one?” Chase asked. The class was silent. “Nobody? Come on, guys…. You’re killing me here.”

I heard movement, and the room burst into peals of laughter. I wished I could see what Chase was doing up there to make those kids smile.

“What about you, Ms. Hudson? Can you tell me what this is?”

Huh? I poked my head in. I guess my moves hadn’t been as stealthy as I thought. He was pointing at the board with a piece of blue chalk. “Uh, that’s a treble clef,” I said.

“Very good.” Chase aimed in on me, lips curved high. “You get a star.”

His voice was warm honey, dripping into my mouth. I quivered, then wanted to slap myself. No kid wanted to see me get all melty over their teacher.

The clickety-clack of heels directed my attention back to the hallway where I saw the shock of blonde hair first. She sauntered toward me, face stiff, smile painted on, just like a plastic Barbie doll head.

“Another visit to our school, and so soon? What a treat.”

What a fucking bitch. “Yes, it is, Cassie.”

“Anything I can help you with?”

“How kind of you, but I’m here to see Chase. I can wait.”

“Unfortunately, Mr. Nolan is—”

“Miss Randall,” Chase said from the doorway. I was having such a delightful conversation, I hadn’t noticed him come over. “May I ask a favor?”

She straightened, sticking out her chest. “Of course!”

My eyes were rolling so hard in my head I felt like a giant snowball flying down the hill.

“Could you please watch the class for a few minutes while I speak with Ms. Hudson alone?”

“Oooo,” all the kids said in unison. We had an audience.

“Oh. Sure.” Her shoulders slumped a bit.

Did Chase realize what he was doing to this woman? Bitch or not, I almost felt sorry for her. She slunk into the room, and he stepped out, shutting the door.

“She likes you, you know,” I said.

“Yeah, she passed me a note the other day in gym class.”

I slugged him on the arm. “I’m serious. She’s got it bad.”

He smiled. “You jealous?”

What? “No, Chase. I don’t get jealous. I’m just pointing it out, you know, in case you felt the same way.”

His eyes narrowed. “I don’t.”

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