The Talk of the Town

Chapter Thirty-Five

Even though Quinton and Shania told Halle what happened after the game, and Quinton said he handled everything, she still felt the need to go to the high school during her lunch break and talk with Jeremiah herself. She wanted to make sure they were going to deal with the girl in question.

She was checked into the front desk and quickly led to the principal’s office. Jeremiah came around his desk and shook her hand. “Halle, thank you for coming by.”

“I wish it was for a better reason,” she said in what Shania called her “principal’s” voice. This wasn’t a social call. “I want to talk about what happened after the game the other day.”

“I was going to call you about that. Have a seat.” He pointed to the chair in front of his desk.

Halle sat and Jeremiah sat in the one next to her instead of going around his desk. His face was serious. “Coach Q came to me first thing this morning. After calling me on Sunday to ensure that the school was going to investigate.”

Halle leaned back. “He called you yesterday?” He’d reassured her yesterday that he would handle things, but hadn’t mentioned calling Jeremiah.

“He did. First thing in the morning. He actually didn’t have to worry. After the game, other parents and kids came forward with complaints about her. Apparently, she’s been spreading rumors and bullying other girls in the school. We pulled her and her parents in this morning and showed the evidence of what she’d been doing. There was a lot. Her actions resulted in an automatic suspension and she’ll have a hearing in front of the school board to determine if there needs to be any additional punishment.”

Halle blinked. “You’ve already handled it.”

“Like I said, we were going to call you and update you as well. I’ve already informed Coach Q.”

“That was quick.” Halle was impressed. She’d normally tell Jeremiah that if she wasn’t so shocked.

“We like to deal with these things quickly.”

“Or, were you worried about losing your head football coach?”

He didn’t bother to deny. “That played a small part. But Coach Q has always been our anti-bullying champion. He heads up the anti-bullying committee at the school. Even if Shania wasn’t his daughter, he would have had the same response.”

She was not surprised to hear that. Just further confirmation that Quinton was an amazing person. “Is he in class?”

“I think this is his free period. I can have the ladies at the front desk check and see.”

“If you don’t mind.”

Quinton was free and Halle was able to go to his classroom. Quinton sat behind his desk, eating a sandwich and watching something on his cell phone.

Halle knocked on his door. “Am I interrupting?”

He smiled and paused the video on his screen. “Not at all. Just watching ESPN on demand. Let me guess what brings you here,” he teased.

She was glad that he didn’t seem upset that she checked herself. He had to know her personality by now. “I came to check on the progress of the investigation, only to find out it’s already handled.”

He stood and came around his desk. He sat on the edge and Halle moved closer. “I urged Jeremiah to get on it quickly.” He frowned. “I should have told you. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head. “Actually, I’m good. You don’t have to apologize for being a caring parent and coach.”

“This was more of a parent move than coaching. Seeing that girl go after Shania like that. I never felt so protective in my life.”

“I understand. I would fight a bear to protect her.”

He nodded. “Same.”

She took a step forward. Quinton shifted his position so that she could stand between his spread legs. Halle placed her hand on his shoulder. “But now I don’t have to fight the bear alone. You’ll be there to fight it with me.”

He placed his hands on her hips. His gaze intent and serious. “I will. Are you okay with that?”

“More than okay. Quinton, you’re my family now. I like having you in my life. I’m glad you turned out to be Shania’s father.”

He squeezed her hips and pulled her closer. “So am I. Shania is amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better kid.” He smiled sheepishly. “She called me Dad the other day.”

Halle chuckled. “I noticed she switched. I thought it would be weird, but strangely, it’s perfect.”

His smile faded and he looked her in the eye. “I love you, Halle. You and Shania. I know it’s early and we’ve got a lot to work out, but you’re my family now. I want to continue to build a family with you.”

Her heart stopped then beat again at a hundred beats per minute. Her hands tightened on his shoulders. “I think I love you, too.”

He raised a brow. “Think?”

She chuckled and then grinned. “I do love you, Quinton. Is this weird? Are we moving too fast?” Because she didn’t feel like it, but she had to know that he felt the same. That he was ready to take this wild ride.

“Fast in love doesn’t mean it’s bad. Besides, we’ve got the rest of our lives to figure out what this love will look like. We’re going to bump heads, we’re going to go through ups and downs. We may not be a perfect family, but dammit, Halle. We are a family. Which makes it perfect to me.”

Tears burned her eyes. Love and happiness she hadn’t felt in years covering her like the warmest of blankets. “I’ve been alone for so long.”

He pulled her into his embrace and whispered in her ear. “You’re not alone anymore.”

Please keep reading for a sneak peek at the next book in Synithia Williams’s charming and witty Peachtree Cove series, available soon!

Enjoy this excerpt from Tracey and Brian’s book!