Page 14 of Broken Blood Ties

Holding his gaze is almost painful, but I rack my arms across my chest again and his gaze dips before it snaps back up at me.

“I see,” he finally says. His jaw flexes, and his muscled frame tenses as he continues, “I accept yerapology.”

I blink. That’s it? From the frantic conversation I had with Principal Green before Mr. O’Donnell arrived—ten minutes late—I was sure this man was going to try to have me fired. He accepts my?—

“Well,” Principal Green interjects. “I’m glad that’s settled.”

I open my mouth but close it quickly when I realize Mr. O’Donnell’s focus is still on me. They narrow farther, roaming over my face.

“Do I know ya?”

“No,” I respond too quickly. “I mean … I’m your daughter’s teacher.” Surely, I met him at the open house. However, that night I was pulled in twenty different directions. I would’ve remembered meeting him. His presence sucks the air out of the room. Even now I can’t breathe.

“Have I met ye before, though? Ye look familiar.”

I swallow the knot stuck in my throat. He couldn’t know?—

I’d recognize him from those circles, wouldn’t I? I left at seventeen, lost in my world. I never cared about much except that next high or limelight party. I shudder at my past self.

What did Principal Green say Mr. O’Donnell did? Oh, that’s right, restaurants. “I may have been to one of your places of business. It’s my understanding you own quite a few.” I offer him a smile, but it doesn’t seem to faze him.

“Aye.” He purses his lips.

“Mr. O’Donnell has some of the best Irish pubs in Boston.” Principal Green speaks up before checking the clock on the wall. “Well, I think it would be best if Miss Smith returned to her class for the day.”

“Yes,” I say.

Mr. O’Donnell opens his mouth like he wants to say more but closes it, sighing. “Thank ye for the meeting, Green. Good luck on the golf course.”

He strides to the door, only to pause, his hand hovering over the brass knob. He reaches into his suit pocket, pulling out a sheet of paper. Turning, he says, “I almost forgot. Aoife’s permission slip.”

I nod, but he doesn’t move toward me, so I take a few steps to him and hold out my hand. He extends the paper and when I grasp it, he doesn’t let go. I snap my gaze to his.

He smirks, those forest-green irises swirling with gobs of different shades making me feel like I’m lost in them. After several seconds of my wild heart nearly thumping out of my chest, he releases the paper with his perfectly straight signature.

He opens the door, standing there waiting for me to walk through. I do.

Seductive my A-S-S.

* * *

The days following my uncomfortable meeting with Principal Green and Mr. O’Donnell progress slowly. This week must be dragging for more than just me because Shelly pops her head into my classroom after lunch on Wednesday, frantic.

“Please tell me you’ll come out tonight. I’m in desperate need of several shots of the strongest stuff they’ve got.”

I chuckle, glancing over at my students building their Play-Doh shapes. They’ve been great this week. It’s Mr. O’Donnell’s stare and comments saying I look familiar that make me want to drown in a vat of hard liquor. Too bad I don’t drink anymore.

“What about Mark?”

“He’s in. Larry’s going to join us as well. Please, Summer. I need you.” Shelly pulls her simple black frames down her nose and waggles her eyebrows at me.

“Okay, okay. Where are we going?”

“Would you hate me if I said O’Brien’s?”

Yes. Yes, I would. I told her about the meeting with Mr. O’Donnell, and after she pouted about not getting to see, and I quote, “his sexy ass” she laughed at me for my reprimand. If you can call it that. Pretty sure Principal Green just wanted to appease Mr. O’Donnell since he’s a man of influence and on the board. Which further irritates me, but whatever.

“Listen, he probably won’t even be there for you to awkwardly run into.”