Chapter 21
Evie
The rational part of my brain tells me that August wasn’t jealous of me hugging Emmett, but the hopeless romantic in me is really hoping he was.
My kids are having the best time with August’s company working on the set today, and I love being able to watch them gain some practical, hands-on skills.
I’m certain that it will be a core memory for all of them as they get older.
My motives weren’t entirely pure though because every time I looked over to August, he was already looking at me.
It’s like the earth bends just to keep us together.
It almost feels second nature to find him wherever he is, and based on his actions, I’m not alone in that.
That makes me even more eager for tutoring, dinner, and our eventual conversation tonight.
August and I have been emailing for months now, since the start of the school year.
But only recently have we been in each other’s pull, even though it feels like it’s been there the entire time.
Like every email that was sent or any glance stolen during drop-off had an undercurrent of more, but neither of us was brave enough to acknowledge it.
Neither of us wanted to put words on the gravity between us, too scared that it would eventually crush us.
But I don’t think that’s going to happen.
I think our gravity is settling, not stifling.
Mrs. Johnston walks up to me, snapping me out of my August-induced reverie.
She’s like a bloodhound that can always sniff out when my pheromones are on the fritz thinking about August. “So, the set is looking great. How fun of you to bring your class in to get some hands-on learning.” The way she says it feels like she doesn’t actually like the idea that we’re in here, but I try to not take it that way.
It’s really easy for my brain to default to the negative, and I work hard to train it in the opposite direction.
“They’re really having a great time. A few of them have even mentioned wanting a job in construction now because they’re having so much fun.”
“That’s fantastic.” That sounds anything but fantastic, but I stay silent and smile.
“So it looks like you and August have been talking more lately. And did I overhear that his daughter brought you lunch one day?” My heart falls out of my butt.
My whole body heats with anxiety and embarrassment.
Here it comes. This is exactly what I’ve been terrified of since August and I started interacting more.
I knew it was unprofessional and would cost me my job.
The last thing I ever want is to be reprimanded.
Even as a kid, I was on my best behavior because I never wanted to disappoint any of the adults in my life.
I wanted someone, anyone to be proud of me, even if it was just my teachers.
But here I am, on the verge of disappointing someone and ultimately getting fired with absolutely nothing to show for it. No relationship, nothing.
“Oh well, yes, they did bring me lunch but it was a surprise. I had no idea they would do something like that.” That doesn’t feel like a good enough explanation, but it’s all I have.
“And we’ve been talking a little more because I’ve been tutoring Addie to help her with her speaking part in the Christmas program. ”
“Ah yes, because she has dyslexia, right? Isn’t this something you already knew about? Her dyslexia?”
Really confused where she’s going with this, I respond. “Yes, of course I’m aware of the gaps in her learning.”
“So could one assume you concocted a difficult situation for Adeline wherein she would need tutoring and you would need to interact with her very single father more than necessary?” This is absolutely unreal. I know she’s not accusing me of taking advantage of a child for my own gain.
“Mrs. Johnston, I’m sorry if you think so little of my character that I would manipulate the struggles of a child for my own advantage, but you’re sorely mistaken.
I’m sorry to be so brash.” I’ve turned to face her straight on and I’m barely keeping it together.
How dare she. “I gave Adeline that part because it’s only going to challenge her, help her get better, and gain more confidence in herself.
I had never even planned on tutoring her.
That was at the insistence of her father.
” I’m so angry now. I know my personality might not be the most bubbly, or most stern, or meet any type of exaggerated caricature, but one aspect of myself I take very seriously is my reputation.
The only thing I’ve truly done for my own benefit is look at August which affected literally no one else.
“I see. I’d be careful, Ms. Jake. Information spreads quickly and you wouldn’t want to risk your job over a man like that.
” Absolutely where does this woman get off talking about him like that?
‘A man like that’? Does she even know anything about August?
I love teaching, but the more time I spend with him and Adeline, the more I would truly be willing to risk anything to stay with them both if it came to that.
I don’t appreciate the heavy, threatening tone that Mrs. Johnston is throwing my way.
“Thank you for the warning, but it’s unnecessary. And I’d appreciate it if you refrain from speaking about one of my student’s parents in such a way. It’s unprofessional.” I turn and walk away before she can say anything else. I need to get as far across this gym from her as possible.
I won’t let someone insult August in my presence when they’re not even remotely close to the truth.
August is a man worth everything. I probably shouldn’t have been so curt with my superior, but if she wants to fire me then we can take her prying, her threats, and her lack of professionalism to the school board and see which one of us is actually in the wrong.
I wrangle my class away from August’s crew so my kiddos can get some recess time and clean up before their parents pick them up.
And to give his guys some time to actually get ahead of schedule like they were hoping to without the kids as distractions.
I’m thankful they were all kind and patient enough to let my students spend some time learning from them today.
I do my best to help my kids with their end-of-the-day routine, but I’m so keyed up from my conversation with Mrs. Johnston that I can barely see straight.
I mask my frustration well enough and see each of my kids out of the door with a smile, some high-fives, some hugs, depending on what the kid feels they need at the moment.
And some don’t need anything at all but a happy wave goodbye.
I see August’s SUV come up next in the pick-up line and all my frustration is replaced with fluttering.
It’s unreal how just seeing him makes all the other issues I’ve had simply evaporate.
Gone like they never existed and it’s just him.
I call Addie up from her desk, letting her know her dad is here to get her.
“I hope you’re coming to my house today, Ms. Jake.
” Addie shouts enthusiastically on her way to my door.
It sets me a little on edge at the prospect of anyone around us hearing.
But then I remind myself that the gossip would be because of a misconstrued perspective, not anything we’re actually doing wrong.
So I do my best to let that nervousness go.
“You know, I think I just might be but you should still ask your dad anyway.” I give her a little wink and send her on her way.
We don’t want to hold up the line and draw even more attention than necessary to ourselves.
Especially with Mrs. Johnston’s threat looming over my head from the other side of the school yard.
There’s no way she can take my job away from me.
I always love my drive home. My short drive has so much variety to it.
I get to be blanketed by tall pines and then welcomed by quaint, old Main Street buildings.
And in the fall, when the few deciduous trees we do have change color, its captivating.
Honestly, I just love driving and I love my small town, so there’s very little that I find myself complaining about.
Except sometimes the people in the town give me some pause, but that’s anywhere I suppose.
It just feels more concentrated here because we all sort of live on top of each other.
I grab Maple from our house and start our little drive to the other side of the lake to August’s house which feels like a mansion compared to my little rental. I’m hoping that the company I rent from will one day rent-to-sell because I’d love to call the little space my own.
Already knowing where to take Maple, I park and just help myself over to the kennels where Maple is clearly excited to see all of the friends she’s made.
She’s running farther in front of me than she usually does considering her body is five centimeters off the ground, and then starts pawing at the gorgeous enclosure for me to let her in.
I’m certain that if I gave her the option, she would choose to live here, and I don’t blame the girl.
I head back to the main house and just take in the scene around me.
Pine Lake is breathtakingly gorgeous, and the sun is near the end of setting given the time of year it is.
The sunset just makes everything even more tranquil.
Most residents of Pine Lake live on or within walking distance of the lake.
I’m thankful I live on the lake and have a gorgeous view, but from the side of the lake that August is on, he faces west, making the sunset even more captivating.
I have a good enough distance between me and the house that I use the time to mentally sort through everything that happened today, mull it over, and let it drop out of my brain forever. Doing my best to tick things off as well as Thea does.