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I explained that I’d asked in a roundabout way so he wouldn’t be on the defensive, but I’d only confirmed they’d divvied up some work. Once I started asking more specific questions, Will had figured out something was going on and told me that he and Toby decided everything they did together.
“These hearsay situations are tricky,” she said.
I nodded. “Plus, this is an after-school program, and it’s not mandatory. We have zero tolerance on plagiarism and cheating for classwork, but…” I shook my head. “I want to help kids, not punish them.”
“Of course you do,” she said. “You’ve got a big heart, Clark. The kids see it. That’s why they respond to you.”
“Not Will.” I frowned. “I’m worried for him. He was negative from the start. I thought that was improving, but if he’s cheating, I misjudged the situation. I don’t know that disciplinary action is the answer, but we also can’t send the message that students can do these things without consequences.”
“So, what’s the solution?” she prompted.
Clearly, my principal wasn’t going to give me the easy way out of letting her make the decision, even if she would be the one to sign off on it.
“I’d like to call in Will’s parents and talk with them about setting him up with some in-school counseling sessions,” I said. “I’d also like to require him and Toby to show me their sources for all project work going forward so I can easily verify it’s legitimate. If they’re caught again, I’d advise more serious consequences. Ultimately, I do believe Toby. He came forward with the truth voluntarily, which shows he cares about doing the right thing. He’s a good kid, and I’ve worked with him a lot one-on-one so I trust my instinct on that. But, uh, obviously, I’m biased.”
She chuckled. “Well, maybe you are, but you’re not wrong. By all accounts, Toby has made amazing progress. His elementary school teacher is singing your praises right now. I don’t want to set him back with an unnecessary punishment. But I do need you to impress upon him that this is serious, and had it come up in regards to schoolwork, he and Will would be facing more serious repercussions. It might not be a bad idea to come up with a creative way for them to make amends to you.”
I thought about that a minute. “I do need more assistance with the costumes and props. There’s also a bit of cleanup to do at the historical sites we’ve chosen to stage our re-enactments. I suppose they could both take on a little indentured servitude.”
She chuckled. “That sounds perfect. I know you were worried about this, Clark, but you’ve got good instincts.”
I pulled a face. “Yes, but I created this situation by dating Hunter in the first place.”
“It’s a small town. What’s the alternative, remaining single and childless forever?”
I opened my mouth, but I didn’t have a good answer to that.
“Ray Carter has been here ages. He’s our only calculus teacher. You think he hasn’t had some of his own relatives in that class over the years?”
“I guess I hadn’t considered that.”
“You started your career in a much larger school district, so your frame of reference isn’t the same. They can probably just ensure teachers’ loved ones attend a different class. And I know the scandal there before you left probably made you a bit skittish about your relationships.”
I shifted uneasily. “You know about that?”
“Honey, did you really think I’d hire you without checking out your work history? Of course I know. I also know you were called on to make a very difficult testimony to the school board. What an awful way to start your career. I was afraid it might have disillusioned you or turned you cynical.”
“Why did you hire me then?
She snorted. “Well, once again, this is a small town and my options are more limited.” She laughed at my horrified expression. “Clark, you’re a great teacher and your passion for your work came across in the interview. I’m glad the bad experience in Omaha didn’t cost us one of the best teachers this district has.”
A lump formed in my throat. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
She continued. “Conflicts of interest can be a problem, even in a small district. Parents are protective of their children, and they’ll be the first to point a finger if they think someone is getting special treatment. I’m glad you came to me for that reason. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Clark. Just trust yourself, and if in doubt, I’m always here for you.”
It felt as if a weight had sloughed off me. Even when I’d tried to convince myself that I wasn’t going to make the mistakes Alexa did, I’d had doubts. I’d pushed them down, tried to trust my own sense of right and wrong, but her words would resurface now and then, making me wonder:If a conflict of interest comes up, will I make the right choice?
Now, I knew. I wasn’t Alexa, and Hunter wasn’t her lover, Michael. We were entirely different people with our own set of values. Hunter would never ask me to compromise my principles, just as I would never want to take advantage of my position simply because I loved him.
Not every relationship could be measured by the same rule.
I could finally erase the last vestiges of “Don’t Date a DILF” once and for all and fully embrace all the love in my heart for Hunter and Toby.
I just wished it hadn’t hurt Toby in the process. If he couldn’t accept me in a role he’d hoped to save for his mother, I wasn’t sure there could be a future for me with the Rhodes family. Toby had my heart just as much as Hunter did, and I couldn’t settle for anything less than making them both happy.
CHAPTER28
HUNTER
