Page 30 of Fall Fake-Out

“At the school?”

“We’re driving the cheerleaders to the away football game.”

More pieces of Wade’s agenda fall into place. He’s using me to fend off Ashtyn.

“That doesn’t really feel like a date,” I challenge.

“Like your mom said, I’m the principal, and you’re a teacher. It only makes sense that we go to the game together.” He winks at my mom. “I don’t mind a little town gossip.”

The vein on my mother’s forehead appears once again, but Wade is too busy bowing at us. Bowing. “Ladies.”

He strides away with an overexuberance of confidence that I’ll deal with later.

Once he’s out of earshot, my mom flips her head to me. “What are you doing?”

“What do you mean?” It’s so easy to fake innocence right now. “I thought you wanted me to find someone to date.”

“I do, but not Wade.” The emphasis on his name speaks volumes about my mother’s opinion of him. “He is nothing but trouble.”

“The other day you said he was a good boy who would end up being fine.”

“I was just trying to make his mom feel better. He has a reputation.”

“Well”—a satisfied smile covers my lips—“so do I. I guess we’re perfect for each other.”

“His reputation is for being a womanizer who won’t commit. Yours is for falling for men who are no good for you. And it looks like you’re doing it again. Ari, I can’t watch you get hurt again.”

“It’s just a date, Mom.”

“How do you not see the similarities between Wade and Andy?”

Trust me, I do. But I’m not going to give her the satisfaction.

“What can I say? I have a very specific type.” I fling open my car door and drop into the driver’s seat. “I’ll see you at home.”

And with that, I leave my mother standing there with her jaw practically touching the sidewalk.

Wade

“Wade, I just worry you’re not taking this job seriously enough,” Jonathan Jex, the district superintendent and my boss, says as I walk him out to the front of the school.

“I can assure you I am.” His eyes flick to my casual dress, causing me to add, “I’ve even stepped up, teaching two P.E. classes until we can fill the position.”

“If you wanted to teach P.E., you should’ve just been a P.E. teacher. I’m sure that would’ve been a better fit for you than running the entire school. The position of principal demands respect, something that I’m not sure you understand.”

He entirely missed my point. But that’s how it’s been with Mr. Jex since the beginning. He’s hoping I fail so he can swoop in and tell everyone who helped me get this job that they were wrong and he was right to think I’m too young and lack experience.

“I don’t agree.” I hold my ground. “I think I’m doing an excellent job relating to the students and connecting with them.”

“They don’t need another friend, Wade. They need a principal.” He puffs out a small laugh as he walks to the doors. “But that’s something you’ll realize with age.”

My fists ball as I watch him leave, already dreading his next school visit.

What more can I do to prove to people I deserve this job and that I’m capable of doing it?

Mrs. Albany stops me as I walk back through the office. “Ethan Asay’s mom just called and wanted you to know how grateful she is that you’ve been tutoring him after school in math. She said he got a ninety-eight percent on his test yesterday.”

“Good.” I nod, not able to celebrate because of the dark cloud Mr. Jex hung over me moments ago.