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I slam the locker door and turn to face him, even though he’s a little blurred around the edges.
“Why have you been fired?” he asks, standing in the way, so I can’t get to the door.
“Because of Tanner. Because I’m seeing Tanner. Someone told Miss Montgomery about us.”
“It wasn’t me,” he says.
“I know, but the thing is, she didn’t like it. She gave me a choice. Either stop seeing him… or else.” He opens his mouth to speak, but I hold up my hand. “Don’t you dare say I told you so.”
“I wasn’t going to, but Miss Montgomery can’t fire you for this.”
“She already has.”
“You could fight it.”
“And stay where I’m not wanted? I don’t think so.”
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Zara.”
“So am I.”
He steps aside at last, and I head for the door, turning as I open it. “Good luck,” he says.
“Thanks.”
The corridor is mercifully silent, although I can hear voices in the background, and I wonder if Miss Montgomery is informing Margot of the change in personnel. I enjoyed working with Margot, but I’m sure I’ll be replaced in no time at all, and forgotten a lot sooner.
I wish I’d had the chance to say goodbye to the children, though, and as I leave the building and cross the schoolyard, I wonder how they’ll react in the morning when I’m not here to greet them. We were all new to this, and I felt like we shared a bond, even if we didn’t. Still… they’ll get over it. Probably a lot sooner than I will. They have parents to support them, and for a moment, I wonder about calling my mom. I could do with a little support myself, but then I remember she’s at Aunt Charlotte’s and no doubt has her hands full. It would be unfair of me to add to her problems.
I walk down Mulberry Lane, dragging my heels until I get to the corner. I can see Tanner’s bookstore from here, and I pull out my phone, looking him up in my contacts list. He’ll probably be busy at this time of day, but he might be able to come over for ten minutes, just to give me a hug and dry my tears. My finger is hovering over the green icon when reality suddenly dawns.
I can’t call him.
I can’t see him.
I can’t stay in Hart’s Creek, either.
Aside from not having a job anymore, I have to ask myself the question… if Sabrina was willing to go so such lengths to split us up, what else might she do? Would she consider something that involved Nash? Might she try to cause trouble between him and his father?
The thought makes me shudder, and I put away my phone and cross the street, picking up the pace, knowing I can’t come between Tanner and his son.
I can’t do that to either of them.
I’m practically running by the time I get home, and I slam the door behind me, catching my breath. There’s no time to lose, and I drop my purse and bag onto the floor, going straight into my bedroom, where I find my suitcases at the bottom of the closet, and throw my clothes into them. I’m not being even remotely careful about this, but what does it matter? I just need to get it done and get out of here.
It’s amazing how quickly you can pack when you have to, and within minutes, my cases are full. I close them up and drag them out of the bedroom, leaving them by the front door, next to the overnight bag I brought back from Tanner’s this morning.
There’s so much still to do, and I guess the first thing I need is boxes. With a deep sigh, I go back outside, rushing straight to the garage. The door is stiff, but I get it open after a couple of tugs, and pull out the boxes I only flattened a few days ago, carrying them into the house.
“Where did I put the tape?” I mutter, glancing around the living room, then going into the kitchen. The prospect of re-packing everything is almost too much for me, and I pause, taking a breath. It’s got to be done, and when it is, I’ll call my mom and tell her what’s happened and that I’m coming home. I know she’s not there, but she won’t mind if I let myself in and… and what? I’ve got no idea what I’m going to do. There’s precious little chance of me finding another job in teaching after what’s happened. And more than that, my life is here now… or it was. “Oh, God…” I sob, resting my elbows on the breakfast bar, trying not to think about what it felt like on Sunday night, when Tanner and I stood here, my ankle resting up on his shoulder, his… “Stop it.” Memories like that won’t help, and I suddenly remember where I left the packing tape. It’s in the bottom drawer behind me, and I spin around, finding it buried beneath some hand towels.
Repacking all the books is such a daunting prospect, and I grab the first of the boxes, opening it out. It won’t stay square, and I try to hold it steady between my legs, even though it keeps collapsing. Tears are streaming down my cheeks by the time I find the end of the tape and finally get the box reconstructed, and I stand up straight, grabbing the first few books from the shelf on the right.
I yelp in surprise when the doorbell rings and check the clock on the microwave. It’s not even four-thirty yet, so I know it won’t be Tanner. It might be Margot, I guess. Miss Montgomery has probably told her what’s happened, and although I’ve got a lot to do, it seems unfair not to speak to her. I kick the box to one side and wipe away my tears with the back of my hand. Then I run to the door and pull it open, gasping when I see a distraught Tanner standing in front of me.
He can’t have heard already, can he?
Chapter Sixteen
