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I had to admit, concentrating on teaching shapes was hard when I was obsessed with missing a text or call. I checked my phone again. Nothing from Brett. Maybe I had made him reconsider whether he wanted to get into this emotional mess with me. I wouldn’t blame him. I could cause emotional whiplash. There were times I hated being me because my life was a downer. This was another low point. I’d pushed away the person I needed the most.

Throughout the afternoon, the children took turns oh-ing and ah-ing over Taco. He’d begun to wiggle and vibrate. Finally, the end of school bell rang. They filed out the door, everyone except Lili. She peered into Taco’s habitat.

I bent down beside her. “He’ll be fine by morning.”

“Jaymi?”

I turned toward the door.

“It’s Clover.” Lili’s tone lifted and her smile brightened. “Come see Taco.”

Brett’s ex lingered in the doorway. “Hi, Lili. Can I talk to you?” she asked me.

“I’ll show her Taco. Your mom will be waiting for you.” And I didn’t need Brett’s former girlfriend and ex-wife in my classroom, to what? To find out I was his current girlfriend or, worse, his baby momma.

Lili grabbed her backpack, hugged Clover’s legs, and rushed out the door. “See you tomorrow, Miss Jaymi. Bye, Clover.”

I waved. So did Clover. Seeing her stirred a cocktail of emotions within me. We weren’t friends, so there was only one reason for her to be here. Brett. Did she find out about us? I couldn’t stop the fear that she was here to tell me she wanted him back. Maybe he couldn’t face me to tell me himself.

Then I immediately chastised my thoughts. Brett had never lied to me, and he hadn’t hidden his past with her from me, either. He wouldn’t task her with crushing my heart. I was the only one damaging my relationship with Brett.

“We need to talk,” she said. Then she turned, closed my classroom door to block out the student noise, and walked back toward me on her mile-long legs. Her braid swished across her back.

At least she looked like the rest of us without makeup, in jeans, a T-shirt, and canvas kicks. Although the low-plunging T-shirt kept anyone from looking at anything but her boobs.

“When was the last time you spoke to Steele?” Her voice was soft and concerning.

I sat behind my desk. Probably because it gave me a bit of protection. Maybe because it usually put me in a position of authority with students and parents. Clover was different. I felt insecure and self-conscious. I didn’t like that she had access to him in the MC, and I was at home regretting my choices.

“I… I…” I didn’t want to discuss Brett with her. How much had he told her? Did she know about us? I trusted him. He wouldn’t have told anyone about the baby until we were ready, but had he told her we were still together? Were we together?

“He’s hurt, Jaymi. It’s bad.”

Tightness and pressure constricted my chest. Count to four. Oh, god. Don’t let her say anything else. Instantly, I was taken back to the last time I’d heard those words. I could barely speak, barely breathe. “Was he in an accident?”

How bad?

Clover came around the desk. “Listen to me. He’s asking for you. He’s going to be okay, Jaymi.”

Going to? He wasn’t okay yet. Tears filled my eyes. She clutched my hands in hers.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “If I had known—” She gulped a breath, too. “If I’d have known you were still together, I would’ve come sooner.”

“I called him. He never answered.”

“He’s been on life support. He only just woke up.”

God, please don’t let me lose him.

I hyperventilated. My gaze darted around the room. I needed air.

“I’m not going to lie to you. He’s lucky. We almost lost him. The doctors weren’t sure he’d survive the fever.” A soft smile found her lips. “I guess fate has other plans for him. You’re the only person he’s asking for.”

I nodded and wiped my cheeks. “I want to go to him.”

“I’ll take you.”

I stood and glanced around the room. Thoughts ricocheted through my mind. I didn’t know what to do.