AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Toby made an appointment to go in and talk with my dad about the arts funding.”
Beau forced himself to concentrate on her words. “And it didn’t go well?”
Becca nodded, her temple grazing against his beard, some of her hair catching on his whiskers. “Right. Dad said it was a done deal and that the school budget was tight and there was nothing they could do. So Toby suggested that the money from the gate at the games and the concessions should come back to the arts program.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Becca nodded again. “It is.”
“And your dad said?”
“That the money is already earmarked. Then Toby said that we should have some other fundraising at the games then. A bake sale. Auction something off. People could buy tickets to try to kick a ball through the uprights. People could buy tickets to see the teachers do a dance routine at half time.”
Beau kept them moving but he was frowning. People shouldn’t have to work this hard and put in extra time to fund the basic programs at the public school. “What did your dad say to that?”
“That the teachers shouldn’t have to humiliate themselves in front of the town begging for money.”
Beau pressed his lips together. So, he agreed with Jonathan. Though he wasn’t sure how Becca’s dad hadsaidthe words. Or how that was a productive answer to give a frustrated teacher trying to solve a problem.
Becca pulled back. “He’s right.”
Beau nodded. “He is.” Beau put his hand on the back of her neck and stroked his fingers up and down the side of her throat. It was supposed to look sexy, but he also meant it to be comforting.
“I think Dad actually meant it to be supportive, which is what I told him just now. But Toby took it as dad shooting down yet another option to fix the problem.”
“And he thinks you’re defending your dad again instead of siding with the teachers.”
“Yes.”
“Why is Toby the one meeting with him?”
“He’s only one of several. But he’s the one talking tomeon behalf of the other teachers because we’re friends. Landon and Toby have gotten close. And hell, we’re a small school. Just because someone teaches high school doesn’t mean all the elementary teachers don’t know them. They want me to be the mediator. It’s all…” She sighed. “I feel like I’m letting them down, and I feel like there’s this tension with Dad because he’sexpectingme to come and talk to him. It’s like there’s this elephant in the room whenever we’re together. And I tell myself it’s just a minor thing. We’re all upset over a football field and a school musical. A lot of schools have much bigger issues. But itisa big deal. On principle. And for the kids who are seniors this year and wanted to do a musical. And I hate that the teachers I want to work with and be friends with are judging me, in my first year, because mydadis upsetting them, and they think I’m not advocating for the kids and programs that are important.” Her voice had risen slightly and her cheeks were pink.
“Okay.” Beau pulled her closer, tucking her head against his shoulder again. It was an instinctive reaction to comfort her, but it resulted in pulling her more firmly against his erection.
She didn’t seem to mind and she cuddled closer. He felt her hand stroking over his lapel.She’s just playing along,he told himself. But it seemed absent-minded.
He loved the idea that she might get comfort from touching him, but he knew that reading anything into any of this was stupid.
“That’s a tough position to be in, Bec. I’m really sorry. That sucks,” he said honestly.
He was. He hated when she was upset.
But dammit…if she’d gone to teach somewhere else, she could go storming into the administrator’s office with her friends and raise hell about cutbacks to the arts program. No one would look at her and thinkshe’s just scared of her dad,or,dad must have told her no at dinner last night.And she wouldn’t be walking on eggshells around her dad at home.
Sure, once she moved out of her mom and dad’s place, some of that would get better. But she’d still see them a lot, of course. Sunday dinner or a birthday celebration could still be tainted by school politics. The other teachers would still see her as a possible intermediary with the administration.
“Yeah, it does,” she agreed. Her arms tightened around him, as if she was hugging him.
“Doesn’t Toby understand this is hard for you?”
“It’s not about me,” Becca said. “And Toby reminded me of thatclearlytonight.”
“Did he?” Beau felt a streak of protectiveness. Did he need to have a talk with Toby about how he spoke to Becca again?
She stroked her hand over his back as if sensing his sudden tension. “Yes. But I’m fine. He’s right. My discomfort and friction with my dad shouldn’t be more important than a whole bunch of kids missing out on opportunities they deserve from their school.”
Funny, for Beau it was all about Becca.
