Chapter 14 Owen
T here’s nothing like getting an unexpected phone call when you’re packing up your life to begrudgingly move back to New York. Especially when that call is from Erin Matthews, the Honey Cove High School Principal, about the English position I applied for.
And was passed over for.
But the person they hired just backed out.
I should be ecstatic. This is exactly what I’ve been wanting, it’s just a little dampened by the fact that I’m their second choice.
Actually, I already made peace with the fact I was leaving. Even my cousins, minus Brandon who is on his honeymoon, have plans to make the most of what was going to be my last few days here, starting with dinner tonight. At least I’m not very far into my packing. My shelves are still jam-packed with books even.
It doesn’t feel real yet.
I’m staying here, in Honey Cove. My dream job was just officially offered to me.
My phone chimes.
Margerie: That’s excellent news, Owen! I was preparing to list your apartment tomorrow, so if you’d like to continue your lease, I can drop the paperwork off this afternoon.
Whew. That’s one less thing to worry about and, not for the first time, I’m grateful for a good landlord.
Owen: I have a family dinner, so I can sign it on my way and save you the trip!
Margerie: Perfect, I’ll have it ready shortly.
I can cancel the movers. I can celebrate with Graham and James. I can do this.
***
Okay, I can fake confidence.
Back-to-school faculty meetings are the absolute worst way to end the summer. But walking into the first meeting with so many people taking second glances at me makes it so much worse. Not only did my hire happen last-minute, but they haven’t officially announced it because they’re still finalizing the contract for a different position and wanted to share both at the same time.
Thankfully, people recognize me from last year and are putting two and two together, but a little heads-up to the staff would have been so nice.
“Owen,” I hear over the chatter as teachers fuel up on the familiar terrible coffee from the staff room.
Turning around, I find Noah waving and weaving through a few people to get to me.
“I know I said it before, but I am so happy that you hadn’t moved yet. We would have missed out big time.” His voice and whole demeanor are so genuine that I fully believe it, even though the snarky part of my brain is trying to remind me that I wouldn’t have been in the process of moving if they hadn’t picked someone else first.
“Thanks so much, I was thrilled to get the call.” It’s true enough. But standing here and shaking his hand while people watch with interest, likely wondering what the heck I’m doing here, is a little awkward.
“A few people are stopping over at my place after we’re done today for drinks and to unwind,” he says a little quieter so not everyone hears. “Would you be able to make it?”
Noah really is one of the nicest guys I’ve met and saying no would be like turning away a puppy. “That sounds like what the doctor ordered, I’m in.”
“Alright, I have to sit up front because I’m running the slides for Poppy’s presentation which starts soon.”
I freeze at the name.
“You are going to love her. She’s the art teacher who was on leave last semester and I’ll be sure to introduce you two today.”
I think I nod because he trots up to the front row next to someone with auburn hair that falls just above her shoulders. Hair that I recently ran my hands through.
Oh god, how did I block out that Poppy, just Poppy, became my coworker?
Do I go up and say something to her? No, absolutely not. She’s about to give a presentation and she doesn’t need the guy she slept with the day she returned to town to say, “Surprise, we work together now!”
So, what then? I just watch her from the corner of my eye and wait until she sees me and wave? Jesus I have got to calm down.
There’s a seat toward the back of the room that’s open next to another English teacher. Perfect. It’s not too close where she’ll see me right away while presenting, but it won’t look like I’m purposefully trying to stay out of her line of sight. And it’s Beth. She’s never one for idle chit-chat, but was so helpful getting me up to speed when I was learning the ropes.
Why haven’t my feet moved?
Get a fucking grip and find that confidence you scrounged up for today.
One deep breath later and I’m off. Exchanging pleasantries with teachers along the way.
“Is this seat reserved?” I ask Beth, getting her attention which was solely focused on the novel in her hands.
“Oh, hi, Owen,” she says, a smile on her face. “Nope, it’s all yours. I can’t tell you how excited we were when Noah said you accepted the position.”
Settling in, I return the smile. “Thanks, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind, but I’m really happy.”
She leans in to whisper conspiratorially. “I’m not supposed to say anything, but you deserve to know that there was pressure from the district to have more tenured staff by the end of next year and the English opening was one of the few that had someone who qualified for only a one-year probationary period.”
Wow, that’s news to me. I carefully pull my messenger bag over my head with one hand while holding my coffee in the other as Beth fills me in.
“We all wanted the first offer to go to you because you’re the best candidate for the position.” She continues on as Erin stands up front and teachers fill in open seats. “It was an oddly backwards situation since most hiring committees consider the cost of the candidate’s salary and we usually need to be fairly conservative with keeping those we make offers to within a lower range than someone with fifteen or more years would be getting. But that’s neither here nor there and what’s important is that we didn’t miss out on the right person.”
“Thanks, again,” I say, meaning it fully. Beth might have shared more than she was supposed to, but that helps make sense of things. It lessens the sting a bit.
Notebook and pen now in hand, my foot shifts my bag under my seat and our attention is on the front of the room as the welcomes officially begin. Poppy hasn’t turned around yet, but even from here I can see the tension in her posture.
“And now, we have Poppy Edwards sharing her explorations with photography over the past few months.”
She stands a little stiffly with Noah ducking around her to load her program. Once she’s at the podium, she takes a drink from her cup and looks out at the teachers watching her.
Honestly, she looks like she might vomit.
All I want to do is sneak her away so she doesn’t have to do this. But that’s unreasonable and she’s a professional. I have no claim to her, we were just Owen and just Poppy, and just for one night. Maybe she’s a nervous public speaker.
Who am I kidding? If Andi’s comments were any indication about how Poppy felt returning to Honey Cove, she’s terrified of what people are thinking of her needing to leave.
Now, instead of trying to duck behind people so I’m not in direct view, I sit still and send her all the supportive vibes I can from here and settle in for her presentation.
I can definitely be a supportive co-worker.