Page 48 of De Vil

His statement makes me look at him. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, we are going to the school board tomorrow, and we will tell them everything about your relationship with Tia. You will admit fault and that you fell in love with her after she became a student here. Then, you are going to take your two weeks paid leave so we can say you were punished. During those two weeks, what you do with yourself is up to you. Once it's done, get your ass back here and take our team to victory on the courts."

That sounds fair. More than fair, to be honest. "I can't. Tia is under investigation."

"You leave that to me. Jazz has already said she can't talk Tia off the ledge of quitting. If I can show you are taking the blame, I might keep this girl in school. I mean, she's a scholarship kid and you know I hate them, but this is for Jazz."

"She wants to withdraw?" Over my dead body. She will do no such thing.

"Yes. Jazz has said she doesn't want to be your student or your player. It would be best for both of you if she transferred out of your class."

"Fuck that!" I roar and Chris laughs.

"That's what I thought, Laura. Take the two weeks and make it right with your girl. When this is over, we may end up with everything we want."

Maybe. Just maybe, I can fix this. I hope so. "Alright, so why are we still at Tia's place?"

"Look out your window." Chris points and I see Tia standing in front of her second-story bedroom window, and I nearly break down. My princess looks so sad. My heart aches at seeing her like this. She wipes her eyes and then steels her shoulders back. That's my girl.

"Yeah, I'm going to have to get this fixed."

Chris chuckles again at me and shakes his head. "Should have trusted me, Laura."

* * *

"Ms. Landrey, are you trying to tell me you are taking full blame for this situation you've put the school in?"

Ms. Washington, the stupidest woman I've ever known, asks me for the fourth time.

"Again, for the fourth damn time, yes, I'm taking full blame for it. I should have resisted my urges and respected my position of power."

"You are trying to convince me that Tia Falcon didn't seduce you to get a scholarship from this school?" How many times is she going to keep asking the same questions?

"That is correct. There was no reason for that. When I saw her playing at the state championship, I knew she would be the perfect candidate for this school."

"Very well. Please excuse us while we deliberate on what we are going to do."

I stand up and walk out before I tell that woman to go to hell. Chris touches my shoulder as he walks into the room. I know he has my back, but I also know this may not go the way he thinks it might. My only concern is for Tia. They can do whatever they want with me as long as she's safe.

Thirty minutes later, Chris comes back out and gets me. He winks at me, which is very odd to me, but I say nothing.

"As you know, Ms. Landrey, we expect our faculty to carry themselves with a professional air. You have not violated school policy, however, your actions could be looked upon as disturbing. Especially with your team. However, after testimony from your assistant coach, the dean, and some of your players, we are going to suspend you for two weeks. You'll be placed on administrative leave and you will draw a salary during this time. I encourage you to think before you act next time."

Fucking bitch.I don't say that, of course, that would be stupid of me. Instead, I wait for everyone to agree on the ruling, and then I ask my question. "What happens to Tia?"

"Tia Falcon will remain a student here as long as she likes. Although, against our better judgment, Dean Groveton has assured us there would be no conflict going forward."

Yeah, that's a load of shit. They do not know how headstrong my princess can be. "Very well. Thank you."

Getting up, I head toward the door when it opens. Tia walks in and when she sees me, her lower lip trembles.Goddamn it.She looks stunning in a modest dress with flats. Her hair is down and her lips are shimmering with gloss. I want to lick my lips and pin her against the wall, but I keep my hands to myself.

"Coach," she whispers and looks away from me. I didn't miss the hurt in her eyes though. They are downcast and she looks defeated. That's not how I want her to be.

"Good luck, Tia." That's all I can say. I don't know how to make things right at the moment, but I will figure it out. I have to. There's no way in hell Tia can go on thinking I truly don't love her.

Shoving my way out of the door, I walk down to my office and gather some papers. I might as well grade papers and set up the lectures for the substitute that will have to teach my class.

"Ms. Falcon, did Ms. Landrey come to you with the promise of a scholarship to this school in exchange for sex?"

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