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“Okaaay.” I hope there isn’t a but involved here.
“We should have only brought you in with regard to your trespassing at the lake, and while I still wish you hadn’t done that, the photos were printed without your permission, an invasion of your privacy. If you had posted about it yourself, it would have been a different thing, but in this case, it wasn’t. We decided that the person who filed the complaint was biased and had an agenda, and she is no longer a school trustee. And with that, I wish to tell you that you will not be losing your job, or receiving any form of punishment, and that what you had to defend was punishment enough. I sincerely hope you accept my apology on behalf of the board. Georgia was right when she vouched for you. You’re a good person and I’m sure an excellent teacher, and we are happy to have you, and in the future, we’ll be lucky to know you better.”
It takes me a moment to find my words. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You know that the reporter for the ShoreLine shared the video on its web page.”
She sighs. “I know. We had a debate about that. We feared that perhaps the trustee we let go might try to slander you some other way because she didn’t win this time. We’re aware of her many contributions to that paper over the years, and Alex thought it would be better if he beat her to it. That way, there’s nothing to hide.” She pauses. “And if you’ve noticed yet, you’ve amassed a passionate following so far, just here in town. Perhaps a new sense of community will come out of this.” She pauses again. “I hope so. At any rate, I look forward to seeing you again in the fall, but don’t hesitate to reach out to me at any time. Goodbye, Piper.”
I tell her goodbye and hang up, relief flooding through me like sunlight.
“So?” my mother asks. “You have your job, I take it?”
I nod. “I do.”
And Mischky got the boot, without a leg to stand on now, thanks to that video. That was some quick thinking on the reporter’s part. Nice to know the truth still matters to some people.
“So I guess we won’t sue them after all,” she says. “Though I bet you could, for the trauma they caused. Did I tell you how proud I am?”
“You did.”
“Good. But I may just tell you again.”
She pours herself another cup of coffee and walks out to the foggy deck, Liza jumping off the couch and following her.
I’m so relieved, I may just go back to bed.
* * *
Later that evening, when I’m already in my pajamas on the couch with Liza, and my mom has gone to bed, I get a text from Harrison.
Good evening, Piper. May I come over?
May I come over? A most gentlemanly take on the “U up?” booty call if I’ve ever seen one.
Yes you may, I text back, grinning like a fool. I hold the phone to my chest for a moment, letting the giddiness that had been at bay these last few days come flooding back.
He’s fast. In minutes the front door is slowly creaking open and Harrison is poking his head inside. “All clear?” he whispers. It’s not that we’re sneaking around my mother—I mean, I know she more than approves of us—but I also don’t need her to know he’s here, if I can help it.
I nod and get off the couch, motioning for him to follow me to the bedroom.
We’re inside with the door closed in seconds, and then his hands are skimming over my body and his lips are on mine and we’re moving backward onto my bed.
We waste no time.
There is no time to waste with us.
I take my clothes off, he takes off his, discarding everything on the floor like we’ll never need them again. We’re naked in no time, and he rolls on top of me, all muscle, all man.
I stare up at his tattoos and trail my fingers over them, feel his taut skin, his temperature rising, and then his lips are on mine in a bruising kiss that makes my toes curl.
After everything that I went through these last two days, the one constant was Harrison by my side. But right now, it’s not enough to have him by my side—I want him deep inside me. I need to feel that connection between us, the one I’m so afraid of losing.
Because in the end, I want him more than anything.
Our mouths are moving together in a deep, searing kiss, frantic, hungry, all-encompassing. I run my fingers down his forearms, feeling the sinewy muscles as he holds himself above me, then I brush my hands back up to the hard planes of his shoulders, feeling the heat of his skin.
