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“Hey.” Kayla leaned against the door jamb. “What brings you this way? I thought you had a big pop quiz to prep.”
Right. I should maybe have mentioned that to Don. On the flip side, the kids would be happy to have dodged that bullet. “Sanders put me on administrative leave until my contract ends.”
“She what?” Kayla hissed the words and glanced over her shoulder at the lab.
I followed her gaze. No one was looking at us. I shrugged. “I guess she got the okay from the superintendent. So I’m out.”
“Austin.” She rubbed my arm. “Are you okay? Of course you’re not okay. That’s me being stupid. I’m so sorry. What can I do? Should I quit? I will.”
“No. Don’t hose your students. If you want to come to the learning center full time in the fall, you can let her know you’re not coming back next year, but I’m not pressuring you either way. I want you to do what makes sense for you. What makes you happy.” I glanced over her shoulder. All the students were busy on their machines, so I leaned in and brushed my lips over hers. “This is okay. I can focus on the wedding and the center. In fact, do you have anything wedding-wise you need me to do? I’ve got free time.”
She leaned back and studied my face. She must have seen what she was looking for, because she nodded once. “I’ll text you a list. You’re sure?”
“Yeah. Of course.” I cleared my throat. “I meant to tell you—Megan wants—”
“To stay in the townhouse. She told me yesterday.”
I winced. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Kayla smiled. “And I’m fine with that. Did you want to plan on my apartment until December and then we can readdress? Or I can break the lease, it’s not that big a deal.”
“Your apartment is fine. That’ll make it easier for Charles and Ada to get used to me being around more.”
“Please. They love you.” Kayla squeezed my forearm. “So do I.”
“I love you, too. I should probably go. You’ve got students and I’m betting Sanders is watching my car, waiting for it to leave.” I tried a smile, but it felt flat.
“Dinner tonight? Maybe Mia’s?”
Lasagna might just make up for a really bad day. I nodded. “Sounds good. Six?”
“Sure. I’ll see you there.”
“Text me that list. I’m serious.” I pointed at her, winked, and started to turn. “Bye.” I tossed the words over my shoulder and headed toward the stairs. I’d make a point of going out the main entrance so Sanders could see. I wouldn’t want her to think I was lurking in the halls, waiting to accost some unsuspecting student with a derivative.
I laughed at myself as I pushed through the main doors.
“Hey, Mr. C, you’re heading the wrong way. Class is that way.” Trevor pointed back into the school.
“Yeah.” I stopped and pressed my lips together. What was the right thing to do here? I blew out a breath. He’d find out soon enough. “I’m out—too distracting.”
“No way.”
I nodded. “Way.”
He chortled. “No one says that, Mr. C.”
“I just did.” I held out my hand. “You’re going to be okay, Trevor. Keep your head down and focus on that MIT summer program, okay? Do me proud.”
“You know it.” Trevor eyed my hand a moment before shaking it, then offering me a fist.
I bumped it. “Later.”
If nothing else, that exchange made it clear to me that it hadn’t been Trevor who started the whole mess. That, at least, was good to know.
I got to my car, put my things in the passenger seat, and started the engine. Where to? Home?
Or…
