Page 82 of Deeply Examined

“What’re we supposed to do?” Kent exclaims with his hands in the air.

I anticipated this question. “I think you should have Julie take over my classroom. If you combine her period three and four Spanish, she should have time. She’s been wanting to move out of the language department.”

At least my friend Julie will get something good out of this mess. She hates teaching Spanish, but Kent forced her into it when another teacher left partway through last year.

Kind of like what I’m doing now…

“Is this because of that boyfriend? Adam?”

“No.” I lifted my chin and lied, proud that my voice remained steady. “I need a change of pace, that’s all, and I want to be closer to my cousin, Sarah.”

Kent had tried to argue, but he finally surrendered when I showed him the terms of my contract. I’d had Monica read through it, just to double-check that I could leave with such short notice. When she confirmed that two weeks were acceptable, Monica said she was happy for me, but her voice had caught on the end of the sentence and I saw the tears in her eyes just before she walked away.

Tears like the ones Beck now sheds. “Who’s going to help me prepare for the National Science Fair, Ms. Jones?” He sniffles, not caring that Adrian in the back row is laughing at him. “You’re the only one who knows how Newton’s third principle affects the thermodynamics of jet propulsion.”

I’m sure no one else in the classroom followed what he just said, but I understand it perfectly, a fact that makes me pause because he’s right. No other teacher on campus can teach math at his accelerated level. I remind myself to talk to Kent about Beck before I leave. Maybe he can take online calculus and have it count for high-school credit?

I’m thinking that plan through, worrying about Beck’s future, when I hear the door creak open behind me. Instantly, the students fall silent.

Twenty-eight teenagers.

Not a single word.

Curious, I turn.

West.

He strides through the doorway, all sharp angles and quiet intensity.

“Wow,” Kensie Hamilton in the back of the room whispers as he passes her.

“Totally,” Samantha Baker agrees.

I freeze for a second, stunned by this sudden collision of my worlds, then I spring into action. I intercept West in the center of the classroom.

“What are you doing here?” I demand. My fists balled on my hips, I strive to contain my anger at his invasion. No need to make a scene. I don’t want the kids’ last memory to be me yelling at my sociopath ex-boyfriend. Some of my ire fades when I see how gaunt West has gotten, how dark circles rim his eyes like poorly drawn eyeliner.

He easily sidesteps me with a curt, “Teacher invited me. Said I’m supposed to be inspirational.”

I hurry to catch up with his long legs. “I didn’t think you’d show up,” I hiss at him, making sure to say it quietly, so the students won’t hear. He’s reached my desk. “Go home, West.”

Flat gray eyes shift my way, cold on the surface but with wild emotions swirling underneath.

“Not much of a home recently,” he says, the implication obvious.

For the hundredth time today, guilt floods through me.

No,I tell myself.Don’t let him into your head. This is all his fault. Not yours.

My desk is front and center, the best spot for keeping an eye on the students. I stand next to it while West settles on its edge with his long legs stretched out before him. Even stressed, he’s still handsome. A brown leather belt cinches his slim waist, and his crisp white shirt accentuates his broad shoulders. I can’t help but drink in the sight of him, like I’ve been stranded in the Sahara Desert for years, dying of thirst.

“Hi, everyone.” He raises his voice so it’s loud and clear. “Can you hear me okay? Even in the back?”

The kids nod in response, silent and respectful.

“My name is Adam, and I’m a doctor.”

I jolt, a reflexive startle. Heneversays his first name.

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