Mia
The teachers' lounge smells like burnt coffee and copy machine toner. Jack holds the door open for me, and I step inside to find a dozen pairs of eyes turning in my direction. My stomach clenches, but I force a smile.
"Everyone, this is Miss Wilson, our new English teacher," Jack announces, his voice carrying that professional authority I heard in his office. "She'll be teaching sophomore and junior English."
A tall man with sandy blond hair and an easy smile stands immediately, crossing the room with athletic grace. He's wearing khakis and a polo shirt with the school logo, a whistle hanging around his neck.
"Blake Morgan, football coach." He extends his hand, his grip warm and firm. "Welcome to Riverside Academy."
"Thank you." I'm grateful for the genuine warmth in his brown eyes. "I appreciate that."
"If you need anything, just ask." Blake's smile widens, crinkling the corners of his eyes. "I know how overwhelming the first few days can be. We've got a game Friday night if you want to come check out the team. Good way to get to know the school culture."
"I might do that."
"Blake, stop monopolizing the new teacher." A woman with short gray hair waves from the coffee maker. "I'm Patricia. I teach chemistry. Don't let him charm you too much. He does this with all the new female staff."
Blake laughs, not looking remotely embarrassed. "Pat's just jealous I never offered to help her move boxes."
"That's because I was here before you were born, practically." Patricia's tone is affectionate despite her words.
The door opens behind us, and I hear footsteps. Then a familiar voice says, "Sorry I'm late. Copy machine jammed again."
My entire body goes rigid.
I turn slowly, already knowing what I'll see but hoping desperately that I'm wrong.
But of course, the way my luck is going, I'm not wrong.
Noah stands in the doorway, his arms full of history textbooks, his dark hair slightly messy like he's run his hands through it.
Those green eyes behind dark-rimmed glasses meet mine, and I watch the recognition slam into him like a physical blow.
The man I'd had a one-night stand with.
His face drains of color. The books in his arms shift dangerously.
"Noah, perfect timing." Jack gestures between us, completely oblivious to the tension crackling through the air. "This is Mia Wilson, our new English teacher. Mia, Noah Young teaches history."
"Nice to meet you." Noah's voice is carefully controlled, but I hear the strain beneath it. He shifts the books to one arm and extends his hand.
I have no choice but to take it. His palm is warm against mine, and the contact sends electricity up my arm. Memories through my mind. His hands on my skin. His mouth on mine. The way he looked at me in the dim motel room light.
"You too." My voice sounds strangled.
We drop hands quickly, both of us stepping back like we've been burned. Blake glances between us with curiosity, but Jack is already moving on, introducing me to the math teacher.
I try to focus on the names and faces, but I'm hyperaware of Noah standing across the room. He's set his books down on the table and is pouring coffee with hands that aren't quite steady. Every time I glance in his direction, I find him looking at me, then quickly looking away.
This can't be happening. Of all the schools, all the towns, all the possible scenarios, how did I end up working with the man I had a one-night stand with just days ago?
"So, Mia Wilson." A woman with perfectly styled blonde hair and sharp eyes leans against the counter, studying me with undisguised interest. "You're from Riverside originally, aren't you?"
The room goes quiet. I can actually feel everyone's attention shift to me.
"Yes, I grew up here," I answer reluctantly. I know where this is going and I want no part of it. But if I don't answer, it will only be worse.
"I thought the name sounded familiar." The woman's smile doesn't reach her eyes. "You're the Wilson girl who left town so suddenly all those years ago. Right after graduation, wasn't it?"
My throat tightens. "I left for college." The lie comes easily. I've told it so many times, sometimes I actually believe it.
"Hmm." She takes a sip of her coffee, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. She opens her mouth to say something, but Jack cuts her off.
"Jennifer," he says in that authoritative voice, "that's enough."
"I'm just making conversation." Jennifer's tone sounds innocent, but her eyes gleam with malice. "It's natural to be curious about our new colleague's background."
"Her background is that she has excellent credentials and came highly recommended." Jack's expression is stern. "Anything else is none of our business." He pauses to look around the room and meet everyone's eyes for emphasis.
The tension in the room is suffocating. I can feel curious eyes studying me, probably wondering what secrets I'm hiding. Blake shifts closer, his presence somehow protective without being obvious.
"The bell's about to ring," Patricia says, breaking the awkward silence. "We should all get to our classrooms before the kids tear the place down." Her laugh is awkward, but I'm grateful for the timely interruption.
Teachers begin filing out, some offering me polite smiles, others whispering to each other as they leave. I catch fragments of conversation.
"...heard she just vanished ..."
"...wonder what really happened ..."
"...awfully young to have such a mysterious past ..."
Blake touches my elbow gently. "Don't let Jennifer get to you. She's like that with everyone new. Thinks she runs the place because she's been here fifteen years."
"Thanks." I manage a weak smile.
"I mean it about Friday night." His brown eyes are kind. "Come to the game. It'll be fun, and it's a good way to show you're part of the community here."
"I'll think about it."
Blake heads out, leaving me alone with Jack and Noah. The three of us stand in awkward silence for a moment.
"I should go prepare for first period." Noah's voice is tight. He grabs his books and moves toward the door, but not before our eyes meet one more time. The heat in his gaze makes my breath catch.
Then he's gone, and I'm left standing with Jack, who's watching me with an unreadable expression. He shifts his weight and slides his hands into his pockets. "Starting at a new school can be overwhelming. Especially when you're thrown into the deep end like this."
"I'll manage."
"Jennifer shouldn't have put you on the spot like that." He takes a step closer. "If anyone gives you trouble, you come to me. That's what I'm here for."
The kindness in his voice makes my chest ache. Here he is, trying to help me settle in, and he has no idea I'm hiding his sons from him.
"I appreciate that."
"If you need anything," he says finally, "my door is always open."
"Thank you."
I walk away on unsteady legs, my mind spinning.
Jack is my boss. Noah is my colleague. And I've been intimate with both of them.
Heat floods my face. What is wrong with me?
I never have one-night stands and I haven't had a boyfriend, much less sex, in a very long time.
My boys are my focus and they keep me too busy to worry about dating and having romantic relationships.
The hallway is filling with students now, their voices echoing off the lockers. I navigate through the crowd toward my classroom, trying to look confident and professional when I feel like I'm falling apart inside.
I'm almost to my door when a hand catches my elbow.
"Mia."
I turn to find Noah standing there, his green eyes intense behind his glasses. He glances around quickly, then pulls me into an empty classroom, closing the door behind us.
"We need to talk," he says urgently, his voice low.