"That was before."
"Before what?" I exclaim, getting fed up with the runaround he's giving me. I thought coming on this retreat would give me a few days to clear my head. Getting our results back from the clinic meant the way was all clear for me and White. Now if only I could just move past my guilt of lying to him, or at least stop feeling like I’ve pushed him into making a decision he wouldn’t normally.
Principal Blake takes out a magazine from a pile on his desk and hands it to me. It's the kind you see in the checkout aisle at your local grocery store or gas station. I always glance at the pictures, but never really pay them any attention. Their headlines always make me giggle—especially after watching that Men In Black movie where they were referenced as giving real information about aliens.
This one isn't making me giggle, though. Not at all. This one is actually making me sick to my stomach. Just reading the headline, I want to hurl.
"Pro Football Quarterback White Lucas having a love child with his sister."
Oh, no.
"Surely you can see that your position at Rosemont can no longer continue."
"This isn't true!" I literally yell, my hand shaking. My eyes are blurry so I know I have tears starting to fall and that just pisses me off more.
"You're not pregnant?"
"No! White and I haven't even had sex yet!" I actually did scream that. Considering everyone at the retreat is probably right outside the door, it might not have been a good move—along with tagging on the word “yet”. Christ eating bananas, when will I learn to shut up?
"Really, Ms. Graham. Your sexual life is your own, of course, but I have to consider the children."
"Why? I'm not having sex in front of them! What I do outside of the classroom should have no bearing on anything. Besides, White is not my brother!"
"He's not?"
"Of course he's not. I mean, his mother kind of adopted me, so I guess technically he is, but he's not! I mean there's nothing blood-related."
"So he is on record as being your sibling?"
"What? No! At least I don't think so. Why would he be? This is ridiculous!"
"Be that as it may, my hands are tied here. You can, of course, appeal to the board of directors."
"You can bet your ass I will!"
"But since your contract clearly stipulates against things like this—"
"This isn't the end of this," I growl, getting up from my chair.
"Ms. Graham—"
"You and the school board will be hearing from my lawyer!" I announce and stalk out of there.
I don't look at anyone as I leave. There's no point because I can feel their eyes on me. I'm in my car and heading towards the house. I should call White, but I'm afraid to. This is all my fault. I'll put it off as long as I can.
CHAPTER 26
WHITE
"Kayla! I know you're in there. Open this door!" I yell into her apartment door as I bang on it with my fist. She got back yesterday. I thought she would seek me out, and when she didn't, I assumed she would at least come over last night or call me. I waited and waited… like a chump.
I swore to myself I wasn't about to crawl back to her. It's her turn to chase me. That lasted the rest of the night and most of the morning. It's now noon and I know for a fact that Kayla didn't go to work. I know because I've been watching through my window for her to leave—again, like a chump.
Now I'm done waiting.
"Open this fucking—" I break off as Kayla opens the door. She doesn't look like I expected though. She's wearing sweats and a large t-shirt that hangs to her knees. The sweats are so baggy, you could fit three of her in them. Her hair has probably not been brushed and it's pulled up on her head but is hanging in every direction—including her eyes. She's holding a half gallon container of her favorite orange sherbet ice cream.
"Stop screaming. We do have other neighbors, you know," she mumbles with a spoon in her mouth. She walks off, leaving the door open. I follow her in, just in time to see her all but fall on the couch. She doesn't even look up, even when I sit down across from her.
"Do you want to explain to me why you haven't bothered telling me you were back?"
"I didn't realize I needed to check in with you. In fact, I'm pretty sure I don't."
"I'm not in the mood for your shit, Kayla."
"Look! Something we can agree on. I'm not in the mood for yours, either," she sighs, sliding down on the couch and bunching her hair against the armrest. At least that explains why her hair is a mess.
"What's going on with you?"
"I've been knocked up by my brother, haven't you heard?"
"Is that why you didn't go into work today?"