Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109102 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
But Justine … she’s not getting over this betrayal anytime soon.
Selfishly, her life’s drama has helped suitably distract me from my own. Or maybe it’s that I can cling to the relief that it’s me who pulled the plug on Shane and our relationship this time, and I did it for a noble cause. At least I did not discover an illicit text thread on his phone detailing all the ways I’d been deceived, with NSFW photographic evidence.
But it’s still a chest-constricting ache every time the reality that Shane and I are over flitters through my mind, which is almost constant.
It’s been three days since we broke up and my life feels hollow. I miss looking forward to seeing him. I miss waking up with his hard, warm body pressed against my back. I miss his weight on top of me. I miss the sound of his laughter and the sparkle in his eye as he teases me. I miss the obnoxious way he assumed he was welcome to use my spare key without an invitation.
I miss the way he has infiltrated my life.
And I’ll be reminded of every one of those things every time I hear the rumble of his truck or car engine from right next door. But Cody is my student for another seven months. I also need to remember that.
While Shane didn’t want to end things, he also hasn’t come by to try to dissuade me. In fact, he’s barely been home. It’s understandable, given the situation, and that Cody is probably with his mother while he heals. But a lot can happen in seven months. Time and distance can give him perspective. It can tell him that, yes, we are too complicated, and this isn’t worth a lifelong headache with Penelope. Within seven months, he can meet another woman who doesn’t bring baggage. Within seven months, he can become intimate with her.
He can fall in love.
“Boy, you had a rough weekend all round, then.” Becca gives me a gentle rub against my shoulder.
As expected, the story of Cody’s run-in with the Subaru made rounds by first bell, embellished by the fact that Cody isn’t here. I had to sit my students down and calmly inform them that, no, Cody is not dead or paralyzed or missing any limbs. He’s going to be just fine. Jenny Byrd was sobbing at her desk. Unfortunately, she witnessed the aftermath.
“Ms. Reed, please report to the office. Ms. Reed, to the office,” the school secretary’s voice crackles over our lackluster PA system.
I sigh, even as my stomach clenches. What now?
I quickly fill my water bottle at the cooler and, ignoring the curious glances from the other teachers, duck out of the staff room.
Wendy catches my eye the moment I step into the main office. She waves me into her office, gesturing that I close the door behind me.
I settle into the chair. It feels like my chair now, where I sit when I receive my verbal reprimands.
“How are you doing, Scarlet?” she asks with a motherly smile, her hands clasped on her desk in front of her.
“I’ve been better.”
She nods as if she understands. “Penelope Rhodes phoned this morning.”
I brace myself for the cannonball that’s about to drill me in the head.
“Cody is going to stay with her for the next week while he recovers. She’s asked if it’s at all possible for you to pull together a homework package for him, so he can keep up while he’s at home.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll gather some things and leave them with Shane after school.”
“She expects that he’ll be back in class next Monday, but she doesn’t want him staring at computer games all day, every day until then.”
“Right. Makes sense. If she thinks he’s up for schoolwork.” I wait a few beats. “Is that all she wanted?” She didn’t ask for my head on a spike?
“Yes, it seems to be.” She leans back in her chair, taking on a more visibly relaxed position. “She didn’t make any more mention of her complaint to the board about your relationship with Cody’s father, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
“Shane and I are no longer together, so …” I let my words hang. Maybe Penelope feels as though she’s won.
Wendy’s forehead wrinkles. “Was it mutual?”
“No,” I admit on a sigh. “I ended it. After the accident. It’s clear that family still has issues, and me being there as a constant reminder isn’t what’s best for Cody.” And I never would’ve been able to live with myself had the accident led to a different, tragic outcome.
“Are you okay?” she asks gently. She looks genuinely concerned.
“No.” I laugh, hoping it’ll squash the ball of emotion that flares in my throat. “But I will be.” I’ve survived losing Shane once already.
“You will be,” she agrees with a firm nod.