24. Lana
24
LANA
T he high I’d floated into work on, induced by multiple orgasms courtesy of Mason the night before, evaporated in an instant as I pulled into the parking lot.
I’d been here long enough to know the cars of all the staff in our building, but I’d also been married to the man with ostentatious taste that had needed the deluxe package on the vehicle in front of me.
“Jacob, what are you doing here?” I snap as soon as I’m parked and out of my car, my high heels clicking across the parking lot, rage simmering in my gut. He should be at work, but instead he’s here, trying to make a scene at mine.
“Are you fucking a student? Seriously, who the hell are you letting spend time with my kids?”
I rear back like I’ve been slapped. “First of all, you have a lot of room to talk, and second, no, he’s not a student and who I date is none of your damn business.”
“It is when you’re shacking up with some god damn teenager,” he seethes, and I grip the straps of my purse tighter, eyeing the front door of the building and calculating if I can make a run for it.
“He’s not a teenager. He’s a grown man, and what do you care about who I’m seeing? For a couple of months, I might add. You have a wife. Barely waited for the ink to dry on the divorce papers before slapping a ring on her hand.”
“You ungrateful?—”
“ I’m ungrateful?” I say with disbelief. “Me? The ex-wife you cheated on with our dog groomer and then cheated on her with your secretary.”
“Sheila is my wife. ”
I nod. “She is. But she’s still mistress number two, although my guess is she’s just one in a long line of them.”
“Watch your mouth?—”
“Or what, Jacob? You drove all the way from Nashville to what? Harass me at my job? What the hell has gotten into you ?”
“You think that guy is going to stick around for someone like you?” He scoffs, looking down his nose at me. “You’re a…”
I press my lips together to keep the smirk at bay as I raise an eyebrow and wait as his face reddens.
“I like my job and I’m sure your wife did too. I mean, it landed her a husband. I mean, someone else’s, but that’s just semantics.” I lift a shoulder and let it drop.
“You’re real fucking mouthy now, aren’t you? Think you can take my kids and slum around this hick town? You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
Instead of cowering, I take a step forward, surprising him in a way that has him shuffling slightly to regain his balance.
“I know exactly what you’re capable of, but you have no clue what I am. You’re a manipulator and a cheat. You’d rather further your career than spend time with your kids, and you think you can come here and I’ll just fold under the power you pretend to have. But it’s all smoke and mirrors, Jacob. You signed the divorce papers and married someone else. You got what you wanted, and you made it clear it wasn’t me. So get the fuck back in your car and go back to Nashville. And it’s your weekend with the kids,”—I let my gaze travel over him, hating everything I see which is nothing of the man I’d fallen in love with so young—“if you can even be bothered.”
Pushing past him, I walk toward the front doors, my heart hammering in my chest. Jacob calls my name but I don’t turn around and don’t acknowledge I’ve even heard him. The sound of an engine turning over roars behind me before the squeal of tires on the pavement fills the air.
I’m shaking by the time I make it inside. I’m late and it does nothing to ease the panic coursing through my veins. I need this job, and I can’t afford Jacob screwing it up because he found out I’ve finally moved on.
“Miss Richards,” Coach Turner says, peeking his head around the corner, “can I see you in my office, please?”
Son of a bitch.
Forcing a tight smile, I stand and brush my hands down the front of my skirt as I walk the few steps to his office. I’ve been in here countless times, but not like this.
Please don’t fire me.
Hovering just inside the doorway, I shift nervously as he drops into the chair behind his desk and motions behind me.
“Shut the door and have a seat.” Softening his expression, he adds, “You’re not in trouble if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“It crossed my mind,” I admit as I sit on the edge of the seat and will my leg not to bounce like a jackhammer.
“I wanted to make sure you’re all right.”
Opening my mouth, I stare at him in surprise before pressing my lips into a firm line, the latter doing nothing to stave off the tears.
“I’m all right.” He grunts in reply, the sound disbelieving, and honestly, I don’t believe me either. “Jacob has never done anything like this since we’ve been divorced, and he knows I’m seeing someone but…” I say, my words trailing off because it’s embarrassing to say my ex-husband doesn’t like my new, younger boyfriend even though he married his much younger secretary.
“How would you like me to handle it? I can have him banned from stepping foot on the campus. We can call the sheriff and file a report, maybe get you an order of protection?”
“Oh,”—my face heats as the magnitude of Jacob’s actions barrel down on me—“I’m not sure.”
“Why don’t you talk to Nessa about it and get her take. I’m sure Jensen would be more than happy to help you decide.” He pauses. “Personally, I’d like to ban him from the university, but I don’t want to do that until I know what steps you’re taking.”
“I’m so sorry this is turning into such a?—”
He holds up a hand and slashes it down. “Do not apologize for the actions of others. Your safety and the safety of everyone on this campus is my priority, Lana. I don’t want to ban him and then have him waiting for you down the street where we can’t get to you.”
Tears cloud my eyes as his words replay in my head. Jacob has never been violent. A grandstander, sure, but never violent. But today had been so unexpected. Adrenaline had fueled the interaction and I’d been strong, hadn’t folded under his scrutiny, hadn’t recoiled at his words.
Now, I’m questioning everything.
“I’ll talk to Nessa and let you know tomorrow.”
“All right, do you need to take the day? Maybe work from home ?” He makes air quotes around work from home , and it has a smile tipping up the corner of my mouth.
“I think I’ll stick it out, keep myself distracted here.” Standing, I smile. “But thank you and thank you for talking with me.”
“My door is always open.” I nod and head toward the door. “Lana?”
“Yes?”
“Do me a favor, would you?”
“Sure, Coach.”
“If you go anywhere today or leave the building, will you make sure to let someone know? Have someone walk you to your car when you leave for the day? That includes me.”
This time I can’t stop the single tear that slides down my cheek. “I will.”