Everything I Dreamed (Everhope Road #2)

16. Hailey

16

HAILEY

P erusing around the small groups of students huddled around the classroom, I cross my arms as I slowly tread around the room. Every time a middle-schooler lifts their gaze to me, I smile. For the most part, the kids in summer school are sweet. Some need extra help, and summer ensures they can catch up with their classmates for the year.

Others, well… are a pain in my ass.

My eyes dart to one group in the corner near a globe with three students engrossed in the workgroup and one boy insisting that he just watch.

Sighing, I’ll give him a few minutes more to change his attitude before I have a word. I hate being stern Hailey, it royally sucks. I’m supposed to be the teacher that kids like and would rather see than Mr. Smythe in Algebra. Social Studies rocks, it’s everything rolled into one. Geography, world history, the creation of country, and a few boring sections on law. What more can you want?

Oh yeah, a different age and manner of teaching.

Sliding onto the chair behind my desk, I begin to play with my necklace between my fingers. Four-year-olds are curious in a hands-on kind of way. Sure, I assign projects that let my early teenagers get creative. However, it’s not cute little messy finger paints and drawings that you can’t quite figure out but still smile when a little pigtailed girl says it’s a dog and then you agree.

Numbers and alphabets are new, and their eyes are opened to a whole new world. It’s a lot of balance between play and learning. Not ripping away cell phones and hoping your students completed their homework.

Noticing that I’m playing with the ring on a chain that I’ve been hiding under my shirt, I quickly let go.

I’m wearing a ring. I’m not sure I meant to keep wearing it.

I have a husband.

The sentiment repeats for the thousandth time in my head.

It’s not real, yet I do things subconsciously such as wear a necklace with a ring that isn’t exactly needed for a fake yet legally real marriage.

Oliver is my husband.

All over again, the thought causes the corner of my mouth to lift from that fact.

He’s making my dream come true, and it’s because he wanted to. So what if I eagerly agreed because deep down I was jumping at the chance to fulfill a fantasy that’s taken real estate in my mind for way too long. It makes this all risky for my heart, but his eyes were pure reverence and I knew he wouldn’t accept no for an answer, and his kisses entrapped me. I’m in quicksand and couldn’t run away if I tried.

One day it will all make sense why he is going to such great lengths to help me. Gratefulness isn’t even the right word for what I feel.

But a flicker in a tiny corner within me twists, warning me that we are just playing the part, it’s only legal. Fucking endlessly for a few nights before we jumped into marriage doesn’t always make a marriage of love and a long-lasting future.

And there lies my dilemma. We wanted to try and see where things go, embarking down an unknown path. Then we added a detour.

I’m a wife. Oliver’s wife. Mrs. Oaks.

“This is useless.” A cranky teenager’s voice causes me to break out of my daze.

I shutter my eyes a few times to bring my focus to my student in the front row, and I frown. “Why would that be, Danny?” This is going to be a few soul-crushing minutes, I feel it.

“It happened so long ago, we don’t need to learn about this stuff. We should be focusing on the future. You know we’ll probably be living on Mars in a few years.”

Tapping my fingers on my desk and smiling tightly, I remind myself that his mind is still impressionable. “ Well , Danny. Learning about migration to the west of the country and how the settlers lived their life upon arrival is important in understanding American history.”

“But it’s like what, thirty years ago or something.”

Breathing to myself, I push down the fact that I keep repeating myself. “Or 175-ish years ago,” I correct him. “Look, I know this is the last place you want to be, but not only your parents sent you to summer school; you also got Ds in my class last year. I truly believe that you have more in you and we can get that grade up. In order for that to happen, you need to work with your group.”

“It’s just boring. It’s summer, I shouldn’t be preparing a presentation with a group of bookworms. I’m missing the parties by the river. I have a social calendar to maintain.”

My eyes enlarge at this kid’s audacity, but his parents donate enough to the school that I’ve been warned to go easy. With preschoolers, their little brains are fresh and your patience strong because they haven’t even figured out what school is. But the seventh-grader in front of me with attitude? He’s putting in no effort, and I feel exasperated that I’ve tried all the ways to get through to him but failed. That’s not the feeling I want to have as a teacher. I care.

“You have the gold rush to study, and that’s a topic that might draw your interest.”

“Or I can just search about it on the internet and no longer use a book. You know books won’t be around in like ten years. Only our parents use them. We have apps and social media now.”

Now I take hold of my desk. “Well, books it shall be today. Because our fine state of Illinois has a curriculum to follow,” I deadpan. I fear for when we reach the civics unit in the book.

“Whatever.” He huffs and turns to face a fellow student.

I hear a ding and my hand dives into the drawer of my desk. My phone is on top of the pile of cell phones that I make the kids leave on my desk at the start of the day. Using my thumbprint, I unlock my screen and read the email.

Hi Hailey,

Thanks for your email and sorry for the delay. I was out of town. We can have a call later or I’ll see you in town. My office is open until five. Hopefully, you have some information that will change the situation for the building on Main.

Molly

Everhope Real Estate

This is happening, it can really happen. The whole reason that Oliver and I got married is at my fingertips. I quickly shoot a text off to Oliver, and a few minutes later, I get a reply.

Oliver

I can make it for 4pm. Does that work?

Me

Yes! I’m out from school at 3pm so will be back in Everhope on time.

My fingers slide across the keyboard then stall when I bite my lip. This isn’t the setting to ask, but I do.

Are you sure this is okay? I mean, this is a big step. You helping me in this way.

I can’t exactly walk away… we’re already married. ;)

How ridiculous, a freaking emoji calms me.

I pace back and forth on Main Street, nervous yet excited. The street is quiet for a weekday, which is a blessing as it means less chance to be seen with Oliver and raise suspicion, even though before we used to stop and talk as friends all the time.

The spot in front of me next to a parking meter that no longer works is now occupied as Oliver parks his sports car.

My heart speeds up, and when he slides out of his car with papers in his hand and a sweltering grin, I nearly forget why I’m here.

“Just on time. Sorry, I’m nearly late. A player wanted out of his contract to return to the European league.”

“Sure.”

He walks to me and steps forward to lower his head for a kiss, but I quickly duck back.

“Nobody is supposed to know that we’re fucking each other’s brains out, remember?” I mumble.

His smug look doesn’t help the need that I’m hammering down to kiss the hell out of him.

His face squinches. “Fair point. Should we head in?”

I nod once.

“By the way. The Spinners have a really good insurance policy. Did you want me to add you to my plan since you’re my spouse? Maybe you need it when you leave your current job. We have a good one when you work for the Spinners, and we can add our spouses to it.” He says it as though it’s everyday conversation.

Creases form on my forehead. “That’s a little over the top, no? Considering our dynamics. Besides, I have good insurance at Lake Spark Academy for now, and we’ll figure the rest out later.”

His lips quirk out, and he cocks his head to the side. “I would say building purchases are a step above insurance on the over-the-top scale.”

Ruefully, I shake my head as he opens the door, and I go in first. It’s a small office, and Molly looks up from her desk where she’s typing on her laptop and smiles brightly.

“Wonderful. I’m happy to see you again.” Her gaze skims to Oliver, and she’s clearly confused. “Hello, Oliver. I wasn’t expecting you.”

Oliver is now in work mode, I sense it. Proven by the fact that he whips out a paper and hands it to her. “A good surprise, I hope.”

Molly reads the top line and now she’s even more confused. “An NDA?”

“Yes. A non-disclosure agreement is needed if Hailey is going to discuss the building.”

Her chin tips up as she remains bewildered. “Uhm, I guess that I can do that. Just a little unusual for Everhope.”

“All the more reason. News spreads fast here,” he clarifies.

She shrugs her shoulders but reluctantly grabs a pen from her desk and quickly signs it then hands it back. “There.” Her smile returns and she circles around her desk, indicating for us to have a seat.

I feel the excitement about to burst out of me. “Tell the owners that I want the building. I’ve fulfilled all of the requirements.”

Molly seems taken aback. “Hailey, it’s great if you get the financing, but there is still one more out-of-this-world requirement that I’m not too pleased with myself.”

Glancing to my side, I see Oliver smiling wryly.

“I’m married now,” I tell her. Right on cue, Oliver sweeps up my hand to hold, even places a small peck of a kiss near my knuckles.

Molly’s jaw hangs low. “M-married?”

I nod proudly. “Yes. Oliver and I are married. So put in the offer and hand me those keys.” Confidence fills me that this is all falling into place.

She sways her finger side to side between us. “You. Him. Married?”

“Sure are.” Oliver’s grin is cheeky. “And I remind you that you just signed an NDA. So, I’m sure you’ll keep this to yourself until we are ready to share the news of our blessed union.”

Molly scrubs a hand across her mouth as she digests the news. “Since when?”

“Does it matter? Everything is in order,” I reiterate.

“Your parents, brothers, friends have no clue?” She can’t let this go. “No cake from Foxy Rox?”

Oliver breaths out a sigh and rolls his eyes, getting exhausted. “No clue. No cake. So let’s wrap this up.”

Molly tilts her head side to side, raising her brows then her shoulders go slack. “Okay. It seems I can inform the seller. I’ll go give her a call. You’re just in time because she just got another offer this morning, but I know you are her first choice.”

I sit up straight from that knowledge and watch Molly disappear to the corner of the office for a little privacy.

Immediately, I squeeze the hand that I forgot I’m holding. “If they don’t agree then you have a wife for nothing,” I whisper and crane my neck in an attempt to examine Molly’s facial expressions.

He muffles a noise, but it’s not a response.

“It won’t be for nothing.” I zip my gaze to him because his words have sincerity underneath, I can sense it. “You’ll get it,” he assures me. But I could have sworn that he meant something else.

The sound of Molly ending her call brings my attention back to her. Her demeanor seems positive, so that’s a start.

“Okay.”

“Okay what?” I ask.

“Okay. It seems it is yours.”

My entire body slouches from tension evaporating. “Really?”

She nods her head with a bright smile. “Yes… you just both need to meet Ingrid for high tea.”

“W-what?” My face squinches.

Molly shrugs. “She’s a little traditional, I guess. Or just sentimental.”

“No shit. But fine.” Oliver holds his palm up. “She wouldn’t be the first to want to hash out details over a meal with a signature for dessert. High tea will be a first. Does Hailey need to wear a bonnet or something? This feels a little older than our times.”

She looks sympathetically between us. “I’m sure you newlyweds can handle a high tea together, right?” I hear skepticism and sass in her tone.

My head tilts to the side from her brazen change but also find it amusing. “Of course we can. Send the details and we’ll be there. Oliver needs to check his calendar because it’s still the hockey trade season.”

“And newlywed season, that blocks out my schedule during the evenings if you get my drift,” he retorts and challenges her.

She laughs weakly, and I sputter from his boldness. “Well then, perhaps leave me the details for your assistant and I can contact her.”

“Perfect.” I clap my hands together. “I guess I can read through all the paperwork and speak with my bank beforehand?”

“I don’t see why not.” She uses the mouse on her laptop to take a glimpse at something. “I’ll send a draft to you later today or tomorrow morning. You can only sign the final documents after you meet with Ingrid. She still needs to fully agree.”

“Alright then.” I am completely relieved that all my ducks are falling in a row.

Oliver leaves his seat, and he throws Molly a warning glare. “NDA.”

She breathes out, frustrated. “Yes, I know. What about your brother? Doesn’t the sheriff overrule that document? So if he were to ask then I would have to tell him?” Her hypothetical is not likely at all, she probably just wants to stir the pot in a non-malicious way.

“I doubt my brother would specifically ask that question.”

She throws her hands up at a loss. “Okay, okay.”

I interlink Oliver’s arm with my own. “Come on. I think you are getting hangry.” I yank Oliver with me. “Thanks again, Molly,” I call out as we leave.

The moment we are out in the warm summer air, I ignore all logic and throw my arms around Oliver for a hug. “It’s happening.”

He slings his arm around me. I’m beginning to think that he left a print on my body already a few days ago which means his arm knows exactly where to mold.

“It is. You’re almost there.” The genuine look on his face that lightens, pings in my chest as I look at him affectionately. His eyes trail down, and he notices something on my neck. “Hey, you’re wearing the ring.” He seems pleased by that.

I glance down, pull out the chain, and the ring appears from under the fabric. “I am. Silly, huh? I needed something to remind me of this whirlwind week while I dealt with Social Studies and unenthusiastic summer school kids.” And because I like that you gave it to me . Playing the part of wife isn’t bad at all, either.

“Good.”

“Come on. I’ll attempt to cook dinner.”

Oliver unlocks his car. “Sure. I’ll drop my car at home and leave my laptop then head to your place.”

“Nuh-uh. Keats and Esme are next door. Too many questions.”

His head lolls to the side as he contemplates. “Solid point. I’ll see you at mine then.”

“Yep.”

Because I don’t live with you.

And it stings a little.