Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Amber
I t’s finally Saturday night and time for the fundraiser. I’ve been nervous and excited all week for this moment. Those closest to me already know that Derek and I are dating, but it’s the first time we’re venturing out in that capacity.
It’s a silly thought to wonder if my friends and family will like him, but that’s what I’m thinking about.
“Are you ready for this?” Derek asks as we pull into the school parking lot.
I swallow hard and nod. “I am.”
“No going back after tonight, you know?” he teases. “The whole town will know we’re a couple.”
“Is that a bad thing? Do you not want them to know?” I ask quickly.
I feel a wave of anxiety crash over me. I take a few deep breaths and push away the nerves.
Just because Tommy hid me, doesn’t mean that Derek wants to.
He stops and tugs me into him. “Stop that. I want the entire world to know. I’ll go to the bluff by my house and shout it with a megaphone if I need to.”
I giggle awkwardly and shake my head. “I’m sorry, that was an instant reaction. If I would have taken a second to breathe, I would have responded logically.”
“Don’t apologize. We all have insecurities. Letting the town gossips know about our new relationship isn’t for the weak.”
“That’s no lie. Some of these people have nothing better to do than to judge us.”
“Just remember that if you hear something you don’t like, okay? People will always hate on the ones doing better than them.”
I nod and blow out a long breath. I’m more worried about how this looks as a teacher dating a student’s widowed father.
Will these people think a certain way about me now? Especially if it doesn’t work out with us, will people think I’m easy because…Lord, Amber, knock it off.
None of that matters. Just be present and have fun.
When all of the stuff happened with Tommy, I called him out on cheating on me, but he denied it all. I never got verbal closure or an explanation, and I struggled with telling myself stories as to why he cheated. You know the normal lies of “I’m not good enough,” “I’m not experienced enough,” and so on. If you add in the torture I used to endure from Sharon’s bullying, it’s a lot on a girl’s image of herself. I didn’t fully realize how much damage had been done to my confidence until right now.
* * *
I smooth my dress and glance at my reflection in the window, adjusting the delicate gold necklace resting just below my collarbone. There’s a hum in my chest—equal parts excitement and nerves.
Derek squeezes my hand as we walk in, his smile easy and confident, which helps settle my nerves a bit. Tonight is the first time we’re showing up as a couple at a public event, and though we’ve been looking forward to it, I’m hyperaware that we’ll be seen—talked about, even.
The school gym is unrecognizable tonight. Paper lanterns hang from the ceiling rafters, casting a warm glow over tables decked out in fall colors, and tiny lights shimmer along the ceiling like stars.
The moment we step inside, a wave of voices seems to pick up in volume. People turn, faces lighting up in smiles and some surprise, and then there’s a wave of nods and whispers. I feel the flush spreading across my cheeks, but Derek just laughs under his breath and pulls me a little closer.
“Guess we’re making an impression,” he murmurs, leaning down so only I can hear.
“Understatement of the year,” I whisper back, glancing up at him. “And you’re just eating it up.”
He winks. “Can’t deny it.” He stops to look at me, his eyes scanning my face like he’s memorizing it. “You look incredible, Amber. And I’m the luckiest man in the building because I’m taking you home tonight.”
His hand settles on the small of my back, and the warmth there makes me feel a bit more at ease. “Well, I had to look good for my date,” I tease, nudging him gently.
He’s looking at me with that soft smile, the one that’s starting to feel more like home than anything I’ve known. “You really are beautiful,” he says, quieter now like it’s just for me.
My heart melts, and I lean into him, trying to hide the emotion on my face.
“You’re pretty handsome yourself. Who knew the farm boy would clean up so nicely?”
He chuckles. He laces his fingers through mine as we make our way through the gymnasium.
The gym is full of familiar faces—teachers, parents, and local business owners, all dressed up for the night. Lena, our mayor, put this together. The ticket sales will help with new laptops for all the students. There’s a silent auction, among other things, happening tonight. There seems to be a great turnout.
Lena stands near the stage, mingling with a small group of officials and gesturing animatedly toward the decorations. She catches my eye and gives me a smile and a wave, clearly thrilled with the turnout.
“Oh, look at you!” she calls, waving us over. “You both look stunning.”
“Thank you, Mayor,” I reply, squeezing Derek’s hand a bit tighter. He chuckles at my sudden nervousness.
“I’ve known you since you were a kid.” Lena laughs. “Don’t feel like you have to be formal.”
“Don’t listen to her. It’s a trap. Lena told me I had to dress nicely tonight or she’d have me escorted out,” he jokes, straightening his tie as if it needed it.
Lena laughs, catching the exchange. “Well, you do clean up well, Derek,” she says, then turns to me with a gleam in her eye. “And Amber, you’re a vision. Don’t let him steal the spotlight tonight.”
I blush, smiling up at him. “Don’t worry. I won’t let him.”
The music shifts to something slower, and I glance around, watching as couples drift to the floor. The lights dim just a little, and Derek raises his eyebrows at me, offering his hand.
“Shall we?” he asks, his eyes shining with mischief.
“Oh, are you offering to dance?” I tease, taking his hand. He grins, pulling me close, and we step onto the dance floor together, moving to the soft rhythm of the music.
“You’re way too good at this,” he says, guiding me effortlessly.
“Well, maybe you bring it out in me,” I reply, giving him a sly smile.
He chuckles, his hand resting gently on my waist, and we sway in comfortable silence for a moment, his warmth grounding me in the midst of the crowd. It’s as if the world fades away, and it’s just the two of us, moving in sync with a rhythm only we can feel.
“You know, I’ve been looking forward to tonight all week,” he says softly.
“Really? Even with the possibility of us becoming the town gossip?”
He grins. “Especially with that possibility. Let them talk. I’ve got the prettiest woman in the room in my arms.”
I laugh, resting my head on his shoulder as he pulls me closer. It’s a simple moment, but it feels monumental, like a promise of all the quiet, happy moments to come.
Later in the evening, I excuse myself to the restroom, needing a break from all the mingling and excitement. I slip through the small crowd gathered near the bathroom and push open the door, grateful for a moment to collect myself.
As I’m about to walk into a stall, I hear familiar voices outside the door, sharp whispers cutting through the quiet.
“Nora,” a woman says, sounding tense. “The orchard seems to be doing well. You guys must be thrilled with how well Derek manages it.”
“Oh, it’s not doing well at all,” Nora replies, smug and biting. “The orchard won’t be his for much longer.”
My stomach twists
“What? But it’s always packed. We were in Tennessee last weekend, and I saw your apples in a grocery store there,” the other woman asks. “And someone else said they saw them in California.”
Nora scoffs. “He’s mismanaging it, losing us all money. The best thing is for the development company to buy us out.”
I clutch the edge of the sink, my pulse racing. How could she be so callous? This isn’t just about property; this is Derek’s home, his livelihood.
“Won’t he fight back?” the other woman questions.
“He doesn’t have a leg to stand on. It’s our land. Plus, he’s not fit to have anything after he murdered my daughter. Justice is coming.”
“They ruled that an accident,” someone says.
“That’s what they want you to believe. The sheriff is on his payroll. That false arrest on David just proved it.”
“Nora,” the woman breathes frustratedly. “He blew over a .3 on the breathalyzer.”
“Mind your damn business and stop telling lies,” Nora hisses at the woman. “I’ll have you arrested and sued for slander.”
“It doesn’t…” someone starts but stops quickly. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”
“Sharon wanted to sell the farm and get it out of Derek’s incapable clutches. We’re just honoring our late daughter’s wishes.”
“That’s a shame. It seems like everything is going so well for him. He’s here with that Shafer girl, too.”
“What a joke.” Nora laughs. “That girl was always pathetic and wanting my daughter’s throwaways.”
More like her daughter was always stealing my boyfriends.
Deep breath, Amber. Deep breath. Don’t let this heifer get to you.
I feel the rage simmering underneath as I grip the sink again. I want to scream at Nora for being such a hateful person, but I know it won’t do any good.
They share a bitter laugh, and I hear footsteps receding down the hallway.
For a moment, I just stand there, feeling as if the wind’s been knocked out of me.
Do I tell Derek what they’re planning? I don’t really have proof, and I really don’t know exactly what they’re planning either. Shit, what do I do?