Page 59 of Fundamentals of Chemistry

“Ms. Burke and I work closely to make sure all of the students receive equal and thorough instruction.” Jack stepped forward, drawing their eyes to him. “We both teach the same curriculum and syllabus, and as of two weeks ago, we are also collaborating on our exact lesson plans to create the highest level of consistency possible. Ms. Burke was hired for this position based on her qualifications, and since the beginning of the semester she has demonstrated an intense passion and willingness to improve her skills in order to provide the education your children deserve. I, personally, have complete confidence in her abilities, and you should as well.”

All eyes ping-ponged back and forth between Jack and me, but no one said anything else.

“Thank you, Mr. Cooper,” I said. The words felt small and hollow after his impassioned praise. I didn’t particularly want a knight in shining armor coming to my rescue, but that’s not what this had felt like. He seemed completely genuine, and I was touched that he thought so highly of my potential.

He clapped his hands together and stared down the parents. “Now that that’s settled, does anyone have questions about chemistry?”

I, personally, had a lot of questions—and arguably they were about chemistry, though not the kind of chemistry that he was talking about.

He didn’t hate me.

He thought I was a good teacher.

He had confidence in me.

This little speech was a complete one-eighty from the things he had said to me all those weeks ago.

After the parents filed out of the room at the end of the presentation, I lingered, needing to talk to Jack more than I needed air. I didn’t know what I would say, but I had to say something. I needed to know if he really meant the things he said.

I didn’t get the chance. Jack was out the door a step after the last parent, leaving me alone in the classroom with some empty pop bottles.

Chapter 19

Thank You

The energy on campus was electric following a dramatic and unexpected win by the football team.

“I still can’t believe that boy caught that interception,” said Phyllis’s husband, Carl, as they, Ashley, and I followed the crowd of spectators to an afterparty in the fieldhouse. If Phyllis was a hen, Carl was definitely a goose with his long, skinny neck and overly-large nose, not to mention the honking sound he made when he laughed.

“I don’t think you were half as surprised as he was,” I said. “He stared at that ball in his hands for a full three seconds before it occurred to him to start running.”

“Eighty-two yards,” Ashley said, shaking her head, still in disbelief. “I don’t think he’s ever run that far in his life. Maclin is a lineman for a reason.” Maclin was nearly as tall as Jack and probably fifty pounds heavier.

“Mark my words, he’ll still be talking about that play at his twentieth school reunion,” Phyllis said, and I had to agree. Once the final buzzer sounded, parents and students had swarmed the field to congratulate Maclin and the rest of the team. A couple of people even tried to lift him on their shoulders, but that only lasted a few seconds.

I could feel the music thumping before I could hear it. Carl held the fieldhouse door for us, and I was sure I would be knocked over by the bass at any second. The indoor track was packed with students and parents, talking, dancing, and celebrating the victory. I searched for familiar faces, but couldn’t find any in the low light.

I smiled to hide my disappointment.

“This way,” Ashley yelled over the noise and led us through a side door into the smaller practice gym. Here, the music wasn’t quite so deafening. Teachers and other staff members stood in little groups chatting and drinking…

“Is that champagne?” I asked, grinning.

“A little celebration for the staff,” Phyllis explained. “It’s tradition.”

I shrugged and decided to roll with it. If Phyllis and Ashley said it was okay, then who was I to argue? It had been a long, stressful day, and I was more than ready to take it easy for the night. I accepted a plastic coupe from Ashley with gratitude.

Part of me was still in shock over the parent-teacher conference, even though that had been hours ago. I came in with nerves drawn tighter than a bow string. Then, there was another tantalizing almost-kiss with Jack, followed by his passionate defense of my abilities. I had been ready to pick back up where we left off when all the parents were gone, but Jack had left too.

Did he regret kissing me again? Did he regret saying those things? Maybe both?

I had caught a glimpse of him with Alan at the game, but I failed to get his attention. I needed to know what was going through his head. I needed to know where things stood. I promised myself that I would talk to him at the next opportunity, no matter what.

After two cups of champagne, my body was looser than it had been in weeks—maybe months. I basked in the good vibes that flowed around me like water.

“Do you want another round?” I asked after Ashley finished off her drink. She waved me away, and I went in search of a refill for myself.

Several cases of champagne sat on a folding table. I peeked into a couple of the open boxes, but they were empty. I tucked them under the table out of the way, then turned my attention to one of the unopened boxes. I had just managed to free a bottle and was in the process of uncorking, when I heard a deep voice next to me.