Page 40 of Breaking Rules
“Tell me, or I’ll ask her myself.”
I didn’t doubt for a second she’d do just that, and I could picture how completely mortified Lumen would be, how she wouldn’t know how much to say.
“I had a bad day and couldn’t relax, so I went to a massage parlor to have my back worked on. Lumen was the masseuse. A week later, I went to MacLean’s, and she was there. We talked and danced. Nothing scandalous.”
That was all Keli would get from me. The rest was private, and I wouldn’t bend on that. I may have given Lumen up for Evanne, but I’d be damned if I let Keli tarnish my memories. Even the ones that were a mite embarrassing for me.
“Now,” I said, “I’m going to go read to our daughter. I’ll clean up from the meal since you prepared it. You can go back to your hotel now.”
I walked away without waiting for a response because I wasn’t sure how I’d take anything she said at this moment. Less than twenty-four hours and I was already second-guessing my decision. Only the reminder of the little girl waiting for me to read her a story kept me from going back and telling Keli we’d work things out through a lawyer. It was enough.
It had to be enough.
Twenty-Four
Lumen
“Lumen?”
I looked up to see a concerned-looking Siobhan standing in my doorway. After my awkward Monday, things had quieted back down even though Harvey was back. It seemed everyone had found juicier gossip fodder, though I hadn’t inquired what.
“Yes?”
“Principal McKenna wants to see you in his office.” She hesitated, then added, “Vice Principal Harvey is there too.”
Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
I didn’t let any of my concern show on my face. It wasn’t easy, but I managed. “Thank you. I’ll head right down.”
I waited until she left before I closed my eyes and reigned in the panic flooding my system. I’d thought when I’d made it through Tuesday and Wednesday without a word from Principal McKenna or Harvey that he’d decided to let things go. Apparently, I hadn’t been as lucky as I’d thought.
The clicking of my shoes on the hallway tile as I made my way to the office seemed louder than usual, as if calling everyone’s attention to me.Come stare at the teacher who slept with a parent who then punched the vice principal…then dumped her two days later.
I didn’t let my pity party last. I hadn’t done anything wrong. Not technically. I’d met and first slept with Alec before I’d learned about his daughter being in my class. I probably should have disclosed to Principal McKenna that Alec and I had been dating, but I hadn’t broken any rules by not doing it. And I hadn’t asked Alec to punch Vice Principal Harvey. That was on both of the men. Harvey, for not accepting myno,and Alec, for not letting me fight my own battles.
“I was told Principal McKenna wanted to see me,” I said as I stopped at Alice’s desk.
“They’re expecting you. Go ahead in.” Her expression gave nothing away.
I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. I had nothing to be ashamed of or to apologize for. I’d kept my mouth shut about Harvey’s behavior because I hadn’t wanted to make waves. If he thought he could intimidate me into silence while still getting me into trouble about what Alec had done, he was about to see a whole new side of me.
“Ms. Browne,” Principal McKenna greeted me. “Please, have a seat.”
I took one of the seats across from the principal. Harvey stood behind him, a smug smile on his face. The bruise on his cheek was only noticeable because I knew what to look for, and I wondered if he’d used makeup to try to cover it.
“I’ll get right to the matter at hand,” Principal McKenna said. “It’s been brought to my attention that, prior to coming here, you worked at a massage parlor.”
All the air went out of the room. Of all the things I thought this meeting could be about,thatwasn’t even close to being on my radar. Realizing my jaw had dropped, I snapped it shut, brain scrambling to find footing.
“You lied on your resumé.”
I shook my head. “All of my previous employment is on there.”
“It says here that you worked at the front desk at Real Life Bodywork.” Vice Principal Harvey held up a piece of paper.