Page 55 of Keeping it Real

Does noon work?

Really?Who did he think he was?

Noon is perfect.

“Hold on a damn minute, you two love birds.”

Sheridan’s loud protest had Hattie waking with a start.When a pithy response wasn’t forthcoming, she quickly typed in a reply.

See you then.

The teacher responded with a one-word answer:Great.The smiley face emoji was conspicuously absent.

By the time noon arrived, Sheridan was a bundle of nerves.What was so urgent that Finn’s teacher needed to see them right away?Some specifics would have been nice because Sheridan’s mind was bouncing from scenario to scenario, each of them worse than the one before.

When she arrived in the classroom, Alek was already there.He was dressed casually in a pair of dark joggers and a Mayhem quarter zip.Leaning back in his chair, his smile was in full dazzle mode behind his five o’clock shadow.Miss Lane was doing her best to resist his allure as she fingered with her necklaces.Despite the dreary rain, she looked very autumnal in a long rust-colored cashmere sweater and black leggings.Sheridan, in contrast, looked like a drowned rat.She’d forgotten to grab an umbrella or a jacket with a hood before she rushed from the house.

“Good.We can get started,” the teacher said when Sheridan slipped into the chair beside Alek.“I’m glad you could both make it on such short notice.It’s easier to deal with these things in person rather than over the phone.”

“This sounds serious.”Sheridan could feel the pulse beating on her neck.“Is Finn okay?”

Miss Lane’s smile was sympathetic.“He’s fine.Although perhaps a little embarrassed to be caught breaking a strict school honor code violation.One that comes with automatic after school detention.”

Alek leaned forward in his chair.“What did he do?”

The teacher opened her desk drawer and pulled out a cell phone.Jamie’s old cell phone to be exact.Sheridan recognized the Barn Burner’s sticker on the back.

Miss Lane placed it on the center of her desk.“Cell phones are strictly prohibited in the classroom.We’d prefer they don’t come to school at all, but we realize some parents have qualms about that.”

“Not this parent,” Alek said.

Sheridan gaped at him.He’d been a “parent” for a little over a month.And once her case was on the docket, he wouldn’t be a parent any longer.

“If it helps,” the teacher continued.“He was only using it to scroll on Instagram.Hattie’s page, specifically.”

“You don’t say?”Sheridan shot a pointed glare in Alek’s direction.

Alek let out an exasperated-sounding sigh while he avoided meeting her gaze.

Sheridan reached for the phone.“Thank you for bringing this to our attention.It won’t happen again.”

Miss Lane had the nerve to chuckle.“With all due respect, all parents say that.But these are kids.This won’t be the last time Finn pushes the boundaries.”

“You said he has to serve detention.When will that be?”Alek asked.

“Immediately after school today.You can pick him up at five.”

Alek nodded.“I’ll be here.”

He began to stand but Miss Lane stopped him.

“Actually, there’s more,” she said.She drew in a deep breath.“Finn has been ...not himself all week.In fact, he’s been downright rude to me specifically.”

“How so?”Alek demanded.“Because that is not acceptable.”

Sheridan slumped back against her chair.She was mortified Finn was taking things out on not only her, but his teacher, as well.

Miss Lane held up her hand to stay Alek.“No, it is not acceptable, and he knows that.He and I had a very frank discussion about the situation when we were dealing with the cell phone issue this morning.”She cleared her throat and directed her gaze at Alek.“I had an inkling about what might be troubling him.It was resolved as soon as I explained that you and I are not involved with one another.And we never will be.”