Page 96 of Fundamentals of Chemistry

The Offer

My mood hadn’t improved by the time I accepted Richmond’s dry knuckle kiss and sat down in one of the hard chairs.

“Ms. Burke. Thank you so much for taking the time to meet today. I had hoped to catch you before the holiday, but I’m afraid my schedule got away from me.”

I smiled politely, hands clasped in my lap, waiting for the axe to drop. It was odd that he was so eager to fire me, but I was grateful that he waited until after the break.

“I would like to formally offer you the post as chemistry teacher. You and Mr. Cooper will finish out this term as you have been. Then, you will take over responsibilities for all sections as well as the syllabus and curriculum in the spring.”

I shook my head. His words made no sense. “I… you… what?” I stammered. “I’m sorry, sir. I misheard you. You said I got the job? I’m not fired?”

Richmond laughed in a hearty way that felt borderline patronizing. “Why yes, of course, my dear.”

His confirmation only served to further confuse me. “I don’t mean to argue, but I know I’m not the best candidate. Jack—Mr. Cooper has been outperforming my classes all term. And all of the students love him.”

“Well, yes, you did have a rocky start, but your improvement has been nothing short of remarkable.”

“I improved because of Jack!” I insisted. I leaned forward, gripping in the seat of my chair so hard that my fingers started to cramp. “Mr. Cooper is the reason I’ve been doing so much better.”

“But the fact of the matter is that you did improve. And Newbury Academy is pleased to welcome to its faculty a member of your sparkling legacy.”

I sat up straighter. “Wait—are you saying that you’re hiring me because I’m a Burke? I thought I was hired based on my qualifications.”

Shock and hurt coursed through my blood with adrenaline. And anger. So much anger.

“My dear, while your qualifications are nothing to sniff at, there are thousands of new graduates, even from Ivy League institutions, that would kill to work here. Your legacy makes you unique, Ms. Burke.”

Suddenly, I remembered Ashley’s comment at breakfast—the school recently received a large donation. I met Richmond’s eye in a piercing gaze through a haze of red.

“Did you talk to my father? Did he pay you to hire me?”

Richmond’s eyes narrowed even as he tugged on his lapels. “The board of directors oversees all staff appointments. Therefore, Mr. Burke could not have had any involvement.”

Matthew Burke didn’t need to be on the board to have influence. All he had to do was pick up the phone, and any one of the board members would have happily supported his request. And even more, if it was tied to a check.

“I see,” I said through gritted teeth. “And the donation?”

“I assure you the donation had no bearing on the hiring decision.”

Richmond was lying, and he knew I knew it. I lived with my parents long enough to know how these games worked.

Then, another realization hit me like an atom bomb. My heart leapt into my throat even as my pulse raced.

“Does Jack—Mr. Cooper—does he know?”

“Yes,” Richmond replied in a clipped tone. He seemed to be getting annoyed with my lack of gratitude. “He was notified prior to the break. To allow time to find alternative employment.”

My heart dropped like a stone into my gut.

No wonder. No fucking wonder. Of course, Jack was furious. He had essentially been fired. But Jack had been more than furious. He had refused to talk to me…

Oh.

Oh no.

He thought I knew.

He thought I knew and maybe even thought I was involved in the donation. He knew I wasn’t in contact with my parents, that I barely spoke with them, but he still thought I had used their money and connections to steal his job.