Page 10 of Apparently, I’m Trouble

Mia glanced between Rutton and me, disappointment pulling at her features. “Can’t he just take your word for it?”

They shared a look, and as Rutton mouthed “fix this,” it sank in that this wasn’t the first time a parent complained about Mia.

They’d done this before. Rutton was probably confident that watching Mia work would change my mind.

But I couldn’t see that happening. I couldn’t stomach the idea of Kira being taught by this woman. This infuriating woman. How could someone so small end up being such a giant pain in my ass?

First, she rode me constantly at the fundraiser; then she was rude to me on the street, and now she was my daughter’s shot at advanced placement? What the fuck was happening here?

There was too much riding on this for Kira. There had to be something I could–

I remembered something.

“Check her purse.”

I could almost feel Mia’s glare on my face. “Excuse me?”

“Check her purse,” I repeated. “I bet there’s something in there you wouldn’t want on school property.”

“Are you–?” Mia was flustered. She had to be hiding a pocket-sized sex toy in there.

Principal Rutton stared at me for a good few seconds before she finally asked, “Are you saying Miss Walker is carrying a weapon?”

“Oh my god. Dad. Will you please just leave?” Kira gritted her teeth, folded her arms, and stared at the ground.

Mia turned back to Kira. “Maybe you should wait in the classroom. I’ll be there in a minute.”

My daughter nodded and left. Once she was out of earshot, Mia said, “He’s talking about my vibrator. I don’t have it with me.”

And not for the first time, Mia left me stunned. I didn’t expect her to say that out loud.

Rutton frowned, confused. “Oh. Oh, well. Uh, all right.”

She sighed and nudged her head toward the room. “Mr Hudson, I understand you might’ve gotten to know Miss Walker under stressful circumstances, but I can assure you we only hire the best. I suggest you stay for the class and watch Miss Walker in action. She knows how to behave like a–” Rutton paused and gave Mia a pointed look “–professional.”

With that, the principal turned and strode toward her office, her footsteps heavy and deliberate.

She wasn’t going to check Mia’s bag.

Well, fuck.

Mia stepped closer and lowered her voice. “If I want to touch myself, what’s to stop me from using my fingers instead of a vibrator? I can’t exactly leave these–” she uncrossed her arms and waggled her hands “–at home, can I?”

“This is a fucking nightmare.”

She tsked. “Language, Mr Hudson. There are minors present.” She smirked and gestured toward the classroom. “If you sit in, you’ll have to be quiet. I’ve already wasted enough time with you as it is.”

And with that, Mia left me alone in the hallway.

Chapter 5

Mia

Something I hadn’t felt in a long time fluttered low in my stomach. Excitement. I was excited for this. As I stood in front of my small class, my whole body felt electric, and it had nothing to do with the static-inducing carpet.

Theo sat in the back as the class watched me with attentive eyes, their hands racing across their papers as I explained what would be expected of them.

I cracked jokes, and they laughed. I set out arguments, and they agreed. There was something gratifying about the way they slumped in their seats. They were comfortable and focused, ready to do this.