Page 142 of Control Freak

Parker greeted me in the front hall, looking way too chipper for eight in the morning. The energy drink in his left hand might have something to do with that.

“Hey, Shy! Who are you covering today?”

“PE again,” I said with a groan. “But hopefully, it’s the last time!”

He raised his eyebrows. “I hope you haven’t decided to toss us over for a dream job where you get paid adequately for your skills.”

I laughed. “I’d never do that to you, Parker. But I guess my future plans depend on Principal Sheffield.”

“In that case, good luck. Though I doubt you’ll need it.”

I carried on down the hall.

“Mr. Blum, when will you be back to my class?” Amber Thurburg called after me.

“I don’t know, kiddo! But you can always say hi in the hall.”

Eric Teeter separated from his friends to give me a mischievous grin. “Where are you subbing today? I’ve got more dares for you!”

I pointed a finger at him. “I’m not falling for your trap again! My muscles are so sore.”

“I guess that’s what happens when you get old,” he said without an ounce of commiseration.

I laughed. “Okay, you’re gonna be sorry when you see me in PE today.”

His eyes lit up. “Yeah? Awesome. I can torment you some more.”

“Ha! I think I’ll do the tormenting today.”

I reached the office and stepped inside. The front desk clerk, Linda, was loading paper into the printer.

“Is Principal Sheffield busy?”

She glanced at the clock. “Not if you make it quick.”

“Will do.”

I rapped on Sheffield’s door, then stepped in when she called out a greeting.

“Good morning. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

She waved me into the chair in front of her desk. “I’ve just got to make announcements in a minute. What’s up?”

I took a seat. “I just wanted to let you know my licensing is all ready to go. If you all still want me, I’d love to take a position next year.”

She beamed. “Of course we still want you! This is great news, Shiloh. Just send everything over via email, and we’ll get the paperwork started.”

My stomach flipped. This was really it. The start of my future.

A home with Holden.

A family with his brothers and their boyfriends.

And a career that made my heart happy.

When a quiet lurker came to my camboy site, I never could have guessed where it would lead. But I was sure glad that out of all the sites on the internet, Holden had chosen mine.

CHAPTER 34