Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Delaney
Bracing myself for the day ahead of me, I brush my teeth for the second time this morning. I shouldn’t have eaten the scrambled eggs and bacon earlier. I’d hoped to be able to keep it down, but unfortunately, it came right back up.
I put my toothbrush back in the holder and run my fingers over the side braid, smoothing any stray hairs back into place while looking myself over in the mirror.
I don’t give myself much time to do this before turning away to get ready.
My clothes are already laid out on my bed for today.
I pulled them out before my shower a bit ago.
Quickly, I slide on a pair of hot pink slacks, the loose, wide legs make the pants appear like a skirt in a way. I match them with a white button-up shirt that comes to my elbows. I pull a sweater over top of it, making sure to flip the sleeves back over the sweater.
I give myself a once-over in the mirror over my dresser and adjust the collar of my shirt.
Satisfied with my appearance, I pull on a pair of flats, no way I was spending all day in heels. Not running after little ones.
I leave my room, ready to head out. I gather my stuff by the door.
I spent the weekend pretty much planning out the rest of the first half of the school year and cleaning the house top to bottom.
I’m not sure if it was first day jitters or something else entirely, but I couldn’t settle to save my life.
So, I went ahead and worked on everything I could to exhaust myself.
I do a double check that I grabbed a thing of my favorite crackers and a Sprite Zero before opening the door. Outside, I grab the handle, ensuring I lock the door.
Making my way to my truck, I open the passenger side first to set all of my stuff down on the seat. Once my hands are free, I round the hood and open the driver’s side door. Climbing up, I get everything I need out of my bag and start the engine.
Music plays through the speakers as I drive to the school. Of course, it's 90s and early 00s playing. It gets me ready for the day ahead.
By the time I pull into the school’s parking lot, my stomach has settled a bit.
I find a spot to park and turn off my truck.
I gather everything out of the passenger seat, open the door, and hop out.
I’m early enough that there’s only a handful of cars in the lot so far, with other staff starting to roll in.
Sucking in a nervous breath, I make my way up to the school and through the doors. I stop in the front office, where all the teachers have a small ‘mailbox’ and scan my badge to clock in.
“Morning, Delaney,” Lily, one of the office admins, calls from her station.
“Morning,” I call back, giving her a smile.
“Did I see you coming out of the doctor's office the other day?” she asks, perching her elbows on her desk, a coffee mug between her hands. “I hope everything is okay.”
“Oh, I’m fine,” I tell her, not liking the fact that she would even ask, all because she saw me there.
“You looked pale as a ghost, are you sure?”
“Yep, perfectly fine.” No way was I telling her how my appointment went.
“Well, if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
Right, like I would tell the woman who was head of a bible study group and one of the worst gossips in this town.
“I appreciate it.” I smile in her direction and turn to leave. “Have a good day.”
Leaving the office, I head for the kindergarten hall, my heart nearly in my throat as I try to calm the beating organ. Maybe I should have found a doctor’s office outside Saddle Ridge. At least then no one would have seen me leaving the doctor’s office and ask me about it.
I step into my classroom, turn the lights on, and put on a smile. Today starts a whole new chapter for the students coming here. I’m excited for them, nervous for myself, and unsure of what will happen if I see Tyler bring Dash to class.
The first week, the parents are allowed to walk them to their classrooms to help ease the nerves of those who are scared. I’m hoping Tyler isn’t one of those parents, but I can’t be sure.
Setting all of my things down, I head to the whiteboard and write today's objectives. My students will work on learning who their classmates are and we’ll start with the basics.
As rough as my morning started, the day got better—bonus, no run-in with Tyler.
Dash’s aunt dropped him off and said she’d be the one to pick him up this afternoon, though I didn’t have to worry about afternoon pick up.
All the kids who didn’t ride the bus would gather in the gym for when their names are called.
I finish up for the day by cleaning up my classroom and manage to get out of the school at a decent time. I’m looking forward to getting home, where I can finally get into comfy clothes.
Thankfully, I’m able to clock out without a run-in with Lily.
I think I’m going to have to start calling her Mrs. Noseybody.
She caught me yet again during my free period, where she asked me more questions about my doctor’s appointment and if I was seeing anyone.
She even said she could set me up with one of the single men from her church.
Yeah, ugh, no thank you. I’m good without a man in my life. Besides, dating is the last thing on my mind right now.
Hefting my bag on my shoulder, I make my way out of the school and down the steps to the parking lot. My steps falter when I see someone leaning against my truck. The closer I get to my vehicle, the easier it is to see that it’s none other than Philip—my ex.
“What are you doing here, Philip?” I demand, clutching my bag to me.
“Missed you and wanted to see you,” Philip answers, straightening.
I roll my eyes and go to sidestep him.
“What?” he says, stepping in front of me again. “You didn’t miss me, baby?”
“I’m not your baby, or anything else. I don’t know what you were thinking driving all the way here from Florida, but it was a waste of time.”
Philip and I went on a handful of dates, not even two handfuls, a total of five dates before I told him that I’d rather be friends.
He seemed fine with it at the time, but I knew he wasn’t thrilled about me moving when he found out.
He insisted that I stay in Florida and find a job at one of the local schools.
When I left, I knew it was going to be an issue with him. It’s why I had to block him because he kept calling me non-stop.
“Well, you didn’t want to stay in Florida, so I figured the only way for us to work things out is for me to move out here,” he announces, puffing out his chest like he’s done something worthy of me swooning for him.
“You did what?” I demand, staring at him with wide eyes.
“You heard me, baby. I told you I missed you, so for us to be together, I moved here. For you.” Philip glances around and gives me a skeevy smile. “It’s a quaint little town, just as you said it was when you told me about it on our first date. I see why you moved back here.”
I step back as he reaches for me. I did tell him about where I grew up during our dates. Damnit, why did I have to reveal where I’m from to him so early in the dating? I knew better.
“I didn’t ask you to, nor did I want you to, Philip. We’re not together. Friends, that was it.” I swallow back the nerves that want to choke me. I refuse to think of the last time I’d seen Philip. He’d gotten mad and slapped me because I hadn’t backed down about moving. “You need to go.”
Philip smiles and takes his keys out of his pocket. “I’m not gonna do that, baby, but I’ll give you time to think. To remember how good we were. You have my number. Unblock me so I can call you.”
With that, he walks over to his pristine BMW. I don’t know what kind of job he got out this way that he can afford that kind of car, but I know without a doubt he’s not lying about making the move.
Sucking in a breath, I unlock my truck and climb inside, tossing my stuff to the passenger side.
All I want to do is shove this encounter to the back of my mind and get back to my original plan of going home and putting on comfy clothes.
Maybe I can curl up with a book and read for the rest of the night to clear my mind of him popping up out of nowhere.
Yeah, that sounds like a very good idea.