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Fifteen

“I’ve tried restricting his water intake at night. That doesn’t seem to do anything,” Sheridan told Aunt Eileen later that week. “And forget about waking him up to go pee. Once he’s out, it’s like waking the dead. I certainly can’t lift him any longer.”

“Oh honey, I wish I had the answers,” her aunt replied. “What does his therapist say?”

Sheridan tapped the speaker button on her phone so she could put it down while she switched the sheets from the washer to the dryer.

“Trent says all we can do is ride it out. The pediatrician has checked Finn for other causes, but nothing has come up. It’s been three weeks now. I hate to embarrass him by suggesting he wear one of those nighttime diapers, but I’m not sure what else to do.”

“Maybe the counselor is right and it’s just a phase.”

She sighed. “Yeah. But even though he’s very cavalier about it, I know it’s bothering him. He’s been very withdrawn and testy with me all week.”

It didn’t help Finn’s demeanor that Peri and Kirk left Monday morning.

Even Alek could barely get more than a one-word answer from him before leaving on a three-day road trip.

Finn didn’t seem excited when the Mayhem’s Monday night game ended in a tie.

Of course, they’d lost the game in Minnesota last night.

Sheridan was bracing herself for two sullen males in the house when the team arrived back in town this morning.

“Thanksgiving is only two weeks away,” Aunt Eileen said. “He’ll feel better when he gets to the warm Florida sunshine.”

“Are you sure you still want us to come?”

“Don’t be silly. Besides, your uncle is looking forward to the game in Tampa that weekend.”

Sheridan had forgotten the Mayhem would be in Florida for Thanksgiving, too. Claire had invited them to stay at the hotel in Tampa with them. Finn and Gunner had been talking nonstop about the pool. She prayed Finn would be out of his funk by then.

Her phone buzzed with a text that immediately had her heart racing.

“Aunt Eileen, I’ll call you back. Finn’s school is texting.”

She ran into the kitchen to grab her car keys and her purse as she ended the call.

“Please don’t be another asthma attack.”

It was only when she looked at the screen that she realized the text was from Miss Lane. And it was directed to both her and Alek.

Finn is fine, but there is something rather urgent I need to discuss with you. Would either of you be available to meet during lunch today?

Alek was already typing out a reply.

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.”

Ouch.

Alek went still in his chair, his lips slightly parted before he clamped them shut again.

The color was high in Miss Lane’s cheeks, but Sheridan had to give her props for maintaining her composure.

It’s not every woman who gives a sexy professional athlete his walking papers in front of an audience.

Based on Alek’s response, he hadn’t seen the hit coming.

“There’s one last thing you both should be aware of.” She pulled several sheets of paper from a folder on her desk. “I found these when Finn and I were going through his backpack.”

She slid the papers forward so they both could see them.

The breath froze in Sheridan’s lungs as soon as she took in their meaning.

They were disparaging notes and drawings.

All of them about Finn. Accusing him of jinxing the Mayhem.

Laying the blame for the team’s poor start to their season on Finn’s arrival at Alek’s house.

“What the hell is this?” Alek snatched one up. “Who wrote these?” He stood swiftly, swearing violently as he towered over Finn’s teacher.

Sheridan couldn’t fault him for his menacing tone. She felt sick, too. But it wasn’t fair to take it out on the teacher.

“Alek, Miss Lane isn’t to blame for these.”

“Well, someone sure the hell is!” he shouted. “I want to know who wrote these. I want them kicked out of this school. I want to speak to their parents. Do they have any idea what that little boy has been going through?”

Miss Lane stood also. “The headmaster of the upper school was made aware of the situation as soon as I found those this morning. I’m sure he’ll be in contact with you both today.”

Her words did nothing to pacify him. Alek swiped up the rest of the notes and headed for the door.

“Sweetheart, he’s going to have contact with me right now.”

“Alek!” Sheridan called after him.

Miss Lane only smiled as she sat back down. “Mr. Ellis has dealt with worse. Don’t worry.”

Sheridan picked up one of the notes that had floated to the floor in Alek’s furious departure. “My guess is these started arriving about three weeks ago,” she murmured.

“Why do you say that?”

“Just a hunch.” Sheridan sighed. “I’m sorry for all of this.”

“Finn is a great kid. He’ll be okay. The two of you make great surrogate parents.”

She chuckled. “Let’s see if you are still saying the same ten years from now.

” Guilt made her say what came next. “You know I don’t think you should give up on Alek.

Finn will come around. He’s getting used to having Alek in is life, and he doesn’t want to share him. That’s all. I know Finn adores you.”

The other woman shook her head. “The issue isn’t Finn. I agree he’d eventually come around.”

“Then I don’t understand.”

And she really didn’t. Sure, her jealousy might have done a happy dance when the teacher delivered her blow earlier. But Sheridan knew where she stood with Alek. And a part of her would always want him to be happy.

“Don’t you?” Miss Lane cocked her head to the side. “Alek’s heart is already engaged.”

A cold dread shot through her. There was someone else? How had she missed that?

Finn’s teacher sighed. “You two make a cute couple.”

Wait, what?

“Oh, no. You’re mistaken,” Sheridan assured her. “It’s not like that. Alek thinks of me as an annoying younger sister.”

Miss Lane actually snorted. “Are you sure? Because when he looks at you, that’s not the vibe I’m getting.”

“He doesn’t look at me,” she whispered.

The other woman laughed. “Oh, girl. He looks at you every chance he gets. It’s almost as if he can’t help it.”