Page 14 of Overdue Feelings
I canceled Monday’s practice and told the team Coach Zee would run drills if they still wanted to stay.
My mind wasn’t in it. Creek had been called into a meeting in the principal’s office, so that’s where I was headed.
I knew some shit was up because nobody had said much to me all day.
I could feel the shift and hear the whispers.
I stood by the door of the front office waiting for her to emerge. Waiting to know what the hell was going on. The door opened and she walked out with her head down, but I saw her face. I saw her tight eyes like she was trying her best not to fall apart.
“You good?” I asked as we made our way down to the library. She nodded, grabbing her things and locking her classroom door, moving slower than usual on autopilot.
“I canceled practice,” I said, and we walked out of the building without another word. Kids were still around running to buses, parents yelling out car windows. Nobody paid us any mind, but I knew something major was going on. It was written all over her face.
I spotted him before she did. Ares was leaning against her car, arms crossed, like he’d been there a while waiting just as I had by the principal’s office. He must have felt the bad vibes today too. He looked up as we approached.
“Everything good?” he asked.
Creek didn’t respond as she moved toward her car door. It was clear that she wanted to get off school property as soon as possible. Moving quickly, I opened her door, and she climbed inside. Ares and I joined her. He sat in the front seat, and I sat in the back.
“You wanna talk about it?” I asked once we were all settled.
“Principal Voss said they got a few emails… complaints from parents. Something about ‘inappropriate personal relationships on campus.’”
“They said that to your face?” he blurted. I could hear the same anger I was feeling in his voice.
“She called it a concern. Professional boundaries . Said it wasn’t judgment, just perception. But it’s judgment point blank period.
“You’re not doing anything wrong.” I looked between Ares and Creek.
“Tell them that.” She spat.
“They mentioned me?” he asked.
“No names, but it’s clear they know,” she said. “Someone must have seen me with both of you at the carnival. I don’t know.”
“This is all on me,” Ares said as his head dropped into his hands.
“Nah, it’s not,” I replied.
“Y’all didn’t force me to do anything,” she said, voice sharp.
“And I don’t regret it. But I’m the one paying for it.
My job’s on the line. My reputation. My library.
They didn’t call y’all into the office. They didn’t question your professionalism.
Just mine.” Her voice cracked. Not loud, but enough.
I looked over at Ares. The same look on his face, I felt on mine—pissed the fuck off.
“I didn’t know us living our truth would jeopardize your job,” Ares said quietly. “If I had?—”
“What?” she cut in. “You would’ve left again?”
His mouth tightened. Creek was mad, and I could tell he was choosing his words carefully.
“I’m not leaving, so don’t say that shit again. Whatever happens, we face it. Together.”
“Damn right,” I added. “You’re not the only one in this. You shouldn’t be carrying this alone.”
Creek finally looked at us. “Principal Voss said she supports me… but I still gotta meet with the school board tomorrow. Said it’s protocol.”
“Then we’re all meeting with the school board,” I said, placing a hand on her shoulder from the back seat. “We in this shit together.”
“They not about to single you out,” Ares said, his eyes locked on hers. “They about to learn we don’t play about you.”
She nodded once and wiped her cheek as she leaned her head against the headrest, like the weight of everything had finally settled. I reached over, took her hand, and gave it a squeeze.
“We got you, C. No matter what.”
She turned her head, and he moved in, pressing his lips against hers.
It wasn’t long, but it was full of all the shit they hadn’t said yet.
When they pulled back, she looked at me.
I leaned in and kissed her, slow and steady.
I wanted her to fully understand that she wasn’t standing in this shit alone.
“We’ll see you at Gigi’s,” I said as I opened the car door. Ares nodded, and the both of us stepped out onto the pavement.
“Okay.” Creek nodded, started her engine, and pulled off.
“This shit is wild,” he blurted. “I think I’m done. I’m gonna quit.”
“For real?”
“Yeah. I don’t need the job that bad. And she’s worth it.”
I let that sit for a second, then nodded in agreement. “Shit, I’ll quit too. I got money saved. I’ll figure something else out.”
A small smirk appeared on both of our faces.
“No scandal if we don’t work here.” He shrugged.
“We protect her peace, however we gotta do it,” I said.
He nodded, and we both went to our cars.
I sat behind the wheel for a second, just staring out the window.
We really out here in this together. Me and him…
for her. A year ago, I would’ve laughed at the thought.
Now? I’d burn the whole system down before I let it break us.
I pulled off toward Gigi’s, ready to face whatever came next.