Page 90 of In The Dark
Me
Romeo and Juliet? Really? We’re doomed.
Hunter
Doomed with you? Can’t wait ;)
I turnmy phone over and shuffle through the vocabulary homework my students turned in this morning. My goal was to get everything graded by the time they got back from lunch, but Hunter is too distracting. Putting my phone down and ignoring him feels impossible, but for the sake of my job, I have to.
Not everyone can go around slashing people’s throats for money like the guy I’m sleeping with.
I laugh to myself and uncap a red pen, ready to see how many of my stellar students spelled applause right. The knock on my classroom door is another distraction, and I’m surprised to find Principal Sheehan standing on the welcome mat I put in front of my room. Panic rushes through me at the thought of a missed meeting, and I give her a cautious smile.
“Hi, Dr. Sheehan.” I stand, walking her way. “Is everything okay? Oh, no. Did someone start a food fight in the cafeteria?”
“The sloppy joes are tempting to use as ammunition, aren’t they?” She smiles and gestures over her shoulder. “You have a visitor at the front desk. A gentleman.”
“Really?” I blush and dip my chin. I didn’t expect Hunter to stop by on his way to work, but it’s a nice surprise. “I’ll follow you to the office.”
“He said something about not being able to get a hold of you because of a dead cell phone. I told him it’s probably the lack of service in here. One day they’ll upgrade our 5G network so we can communicate with the outside world.”
“Dead cell phone? I was getting text messages earlier just fine.” I shrug and fall in step beside her. “Maybe it’s a problem on his end. I hope all of his tattoos are okay to be on display. He works in entertainment down at Adventure Oasis, and their freedom of expression is less stringent than the Orange County school board’s dress code.”
“Tattoos? I didn’t see any tattoos. Maybe there are hidden ones.” She winks and holds the door to the office open for me. I stop in my tracks when I spot Brian sitting in one of the small leather chairs against the wall. “I’ll be in my office if you need anything.”
A quick glance around tells me the room is empty. Janet, our secretary, is away from her desk, and I curl my hands into fists.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss, keeping my voice low. The last thing I want is for someone to overhear me and think there’s a problem, even if I want to smash his face in. “I don’t want to see you.”
“Max.” He stands and puts his hand on my shoulder. I knock his arm away and he winces, hanging his head. “You weren’t answering my texts.”
“Because I blocked you.”
“I wanted to see you. I need to talk to you. Your new boyfriend threatened me at the bar, and I think he’s bad news. He pulled aknifeon me.”
“What are you talking about? Hunter didn’t do that.”
“He told me if I talked to you again, he’d kill me, which I think he’d follow through on. I’m taking a risk being here and seeing you. Are you free after work? I promise I only need to saya few things to you, and I won’t take up too much of your time. Once I do, I’ll never bother you again.”
I rub my hands down my arms and shiver. My brain is screaming at me to walk away from him, but we were together forten months. Even if he did cheat on me, hearing what he has to say might be good. It could be the closure I need, the final end to his chapter in my life, and I can move on.
“Where should I meet you?” I ask, and Brian lights up. “The coffee shop on Park Ave?”
“I was thinking my place? Don’t give me that look,” he adds when I narrow my eyes. “I have a few of your things I can return to you. Two birds, one stone. Right?”
“Fine. But I’m not staying long. I have plans tonight, and I don’t want to spend half the evening at your house.”
“Twenty minutes. That’s all,” he says, and I sigh.
“I have a parent teacher conference so it might be closer to work, but I’ll be there.”
“Perfect.” Brian offers me a tentative smile. “Thanks, Max. I know I did some shitty things, but I hope one day we can be friends. You’re a great girl, and I’m the asshole who screwed up.”
I know his words should hold some weight, but they don’t. They’re empty, dropped into the void and easily forgettable. It sounds like something he’s rehearsed a hundred times, and I’m so glad no part of me wants a friendship with him. This is my chance to wipe my hands clean and never have to deal with him again.
“We can all forgive and forget,” I say. “Move onto better things, you know? I’m sure the right person is out there for you. You need to learn to keep your dick in your pants and your hands to yourself first, but I bet you’ll find her. Hey. Maybe she’s down for an open relationship.”
“Trust me, I’ve learned my lesson.” Brian laughs. “I’ll let you get back to your day. Sorry for barging in unannounced.”
