All because Ainsley couldn’t keep her big mouth shut.
I toss my stick and helmet at Ainsley’s feet.
“Landon,” she starts.
“Enjoy the spotlight.” I spare her one final glance. “Hope it was worth it.”
Chapter 29
Ainsley
Present
“I’m sorry,let’s back up to the part where you fucked Landon Fletcher.”
Evan covers his ears with his hands. “Really don’t need to hear this.”
I roll my eyes. “Focus, Ivori. Jayden’s mom is running her mouth all over town. I’m worried about what might happen to my job.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she says, pulling her legs onto the couch.
“Teachers have been fired for less.”
Evan nods. “If she makes enough of a stink, the district will want to appease her.”
I groan, slumping back against the couch. “Why can’t people just love their children regardless of who they are?”
“Because the world is full of close-minded assholes.” Ivori lifts her beer to her lips and pauses. “What did Harrison say when you left his office?”
“He said he’d be in touch once he spoke to the higher-ups.” I clutch my stomach. “I want to puke. I feel like I’m waiting for a verdict in court.”
“Have you checked the handbook for anything like this?” Evan asks.
I nod. “The wording is vague. It’s mostly about the use of social media. I guess every case is different.”
“Call the union president first thing in the morning.” Ivori taps her nails against the glass bottle. “She’ll know best, and be able to protect you if anything goes down.”
Nerves have been eating away at me since the showdown with Jayden’s mom yesterday. I know in my heart that I didn’t do anything wrong, or persuade Jayden one way or another. But when it comes to teachers, things don’t usually end in our favor. It’s labeled a scandal, and the media eats us alive without knowing what truly happened.
Everyone judges.
No one knows what it’s like to walk a day in our shoes.
Evan heaves a sigh. “You put Jayden first, which is what any good coach would do. If you turned him away, or made him feel bad about this, who knows what could have happened to him.”
Ivori nods. “Do you think he’s in danger of hurting himself?”
“I don’t know.” I frown. “I can’t imagine what horrible things his parents are saying to him behind closed doors.”
“And I doubt his mother will let him back on the team,” Evan adds.
“He has to go to school though.” I lift my phone off the coffee table and shoot a text to Landon. “I’ll tell Landon to ask the girls to check in on him. He’ll need her friends.”
Ivori’s foot bounces like a hyperactive dog. “Now can we talk about the part where you fucked Landon Fletcher?”
Evan pushes off the couch and drains the rest of his water. “I’m out.”
I smack him in the ass with a pillow. “What’s wrong, you prude? It’s just sex.”
