Chapter 38

AVERY

Avery slept well and had just moved back to her bed after a shower when she heard a knock on the door.

She asked them to come in and was a little shocked to see Will, the music teacher from the school, and the assistant principal, Mark Young, come in.

“Um. Hi, gentlemen, please have a seat,” Avery started. “I’m sorry that you have to see me like this.”

“It’s fine, Avery. This won’t take long, so you can rest,” Mark replied curtly.

“Well, Avery, I know you were supposed to meet with Principal Ashford to discuss your job performance and next year’s position this week, but there has been a change of plans,” Mark started.

Avery raised an eyebrow. “Oh, and what is that?”

“The governing board has made some changes in leadership and policy for the upcoming school year.” Will smirked as he watched Avery.

“Ashford has been terminated and is no longer running the school. Some information was passed on to the board and they didn’t like the direction the school was headed.”

Avery turned her head in shock when Mark started talking.

“I have been named the new principal and Will is the new assistant. We decided that, for the good of the school, your services will no longer be required.

“We have boxed up your belongings and will leave them when we go.”

Avery was shocked. “Seriously? Can you give me any feedback on my job performance?”

“From parent feedback, we had no negative comments. In fact, the parents said that their children really liked you and you did a good job coming into a tricky situation,” Will informed her.

“So then why am I being fired?” Avery demanded. “I did what was asked of me!”

“Well, we find the company you keep to be unsavory and not up to the standards of Middleton Academy,” Mark spat.

“Who are you talking about?” Avery demanded.

“It has come to our attention that after your little stunt on the last day of school, we saw the way the MC rallied around you and protected you.

“And we have heard from some staff that you are involved with Justin Mariner,” Will said condescendingly.

“My little stunt?! I collapsed with a massive infection!” Avery yelled. “And what the hell business is it of yours who I date?”

“The drama associated with your behavior scared some children and upset them. We can’t have that happen.

“And a teacher dating a parent is now a new policy that the board has specifically said is grounds for termination,” Mark said. “Here is your termination letter and explanation. We wish you a good summer.”

Both men got up and started walking to the door.

“You are a sad, pathetic man, Will. I brushed off your advances and you got pissed like a spoiled little brat.

“Then you tattled like a little bitch to the board to get back at a man that you will NEVER measure up to. Now get the fuck out of my room before I call security!!”

Avery was furious as she watched Will walk out with a sour look on his face and watched as a nurse brought in the box of her things and set them in a chair.

She was a good teacher, she knew that. And to lose her job because of ego and immature feelings from years ago was ridiculously unfair.

She could feel the angry tears forming and decided to stop trying to keep them in. She let them go for several minutes before she looked around to seek out her phone and realized that it wasn’t here.

She really wanted to talk to Justin and didn’t have his number memorized. She was stuck until he came to visit.

She lightly banged her head against her pillow in frustration. “Just fucking great!”

“Hey, baby, what’s wrong?”

Justin was standing in the doorway, looking every bit the sexy bad boy that he was, and smiling at her.

Avery felt her heart beat erratically at the sight of him, momentarily forgetting why she was upset.

Justin saw the tears on her face and rushed to her side, pulling her to his chest. “Avery, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Are you feeling okay?”

Avery felt safe in his embrace, and the tears started again. She soaked his shirt as he held and smoothed her hair down in the back, telling her things would be okay.

She wanted to believe him, but how could they when she now had no job?

JUSTIN

Justin was scared by her sudden outburst of tears and really hoped that she wasn’t sick or her health had taken a turn for the worse.

He looked around the room for any clues as to what was wrong and saw the box of supplies in the chair. He noticed some letterhead from the school on top, confused.

“Avery, baby, where did that box come from?” Justin asked.

Avery sniffed and looked up at him. “That is stuff from my desk at MA…”

“Why is it here? Why isn’t it at your desk?” Justin asked, still confused.

Avery tearfully told him about Mark and Will’s visit and all the news they brought with them.

Justin was thoroughly pissed off and growing angrier by the second. He got up and started pacing as he listened.

“Are you telling me that dickless, petty asshole is now the assistant principal at Middleton? And he and Mark staged a coup and told the governing board about our relationship?” Justin asked for clarification.

Avery nodded. “Yeah, and that me getting sick at the end of the year program was too dramatic and scared some kids. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Anyone with two brain cells knows you didn’t plan that! Fuck, he is using his hatred of me to hurt you, and I’m so sorry, baby,” Justin said softly.

“I just don’t know what I’m gonna do about a job now. I really liked that job,” Avery replied sadly.

Justin heard how hurt she was, and he felt a boiling in his gut over what was happening. “Baby, I’m so sorry about all of this. But right now, I don’t want you to worry about a job.

“You need to heal and gain your strength back. Don’t forget you have to get comfortable at your new home.”

Avery smiled softly at him and squeezed his hand. “You are too sweet, Justin, and I will get stronger, I promise. But I have to have a job so I have money to live.”

“I want to take care of you, Avery. To take care of you and Lexi. I don’t want you to worry about finding something that you don’t like and settling.

“I want you to be happy, so please, just don’t stress about this. I have got the money part handled,” Justin pleaded. “Can you accept that? Will you let me take care of you, baby?”

AVERY

Avery heard the need in his voice, and she realized that he needed to do this. He had a real need to take care of people and look out for them, and that made a damn fine president.

So she agreed and he kissed her smartly on the mouth in happiness, then stood up again and pulled something out of his back pocket.

“I thought you might be missing this.” He grinned, dangling her cell phone before her eyes, and she grinned back.

“Thank you! I was looking for it after those assholes left to call you and realized that it wasn’t here. I don’t have your phone number memorized!”

He chuckled. “Well, I guess we will have to fix that. I want you to be able to contact me anytime.

“Now, are you okay if I leave for a bit? With this news, I have to take care of finding a new school for my daughter and let the other parents of MC kids know what has happened.”

“I am okay as long as you give me a kiss, then come back later tonight to see me. Maybe bring Lexi,” Avery said.

Justin smiled again. “I think I can handle all those requests.” He kissed her deeply before leaving with a promise to be back later.

When he did return that afternoon, Avery was shocked at the info he brought back with him. Or actually what Lexi blurted out when they got there.

She declared that she and Ryan were going to a new school. Avery looked at Justin for confirmation and he nodded.

“Well, it appears that the 10 MC families that go to MA were not pleased when I explained what had happened this morning, and we all pulled our children. They are going to different schools in the area.

“Nick and I talked and decided that Lexi and Ryan will do well at the local elementary school.

“In fact, we have already met with the principal and explained Ryan and Lexi’s relationship and she agreed to keep them in the same class.”

“Cuz Ryan is my best friend,” Lexi declared.

Avery couldn’t help but smile at the little girl’s confidence and attitude. “Yes, he is.”