Page 12 of Penance (Rising From the Ashes #2)

I knew we were looking to hire a coach for the summer team, but I thought I would be involved in the hiring decisions—or at least in the interviews. I start to open my mouth to ask about it, but when Abigail turns her head toward Theo and smiles, the puzzle piece fits into place.

No. No. No. This cannot be happening.

“Many of you may not know,” Abigail says, looking around the room and avoiding my gaze, “but Mr. Sylvis played baseball in school. He led his team to a state title in his senior year. That, along with the fact that he has a student who will be involved in the sport, makes me believe he is the best candidate for the position. I know some of you may have concerns,” she stops, lifting a brow and staring at Eric, “but I think we must put aside our differences and do what’s best for the kids here. Don’t you think, Mr. Westbrook?”

I can hear Eric’s teeth grind together from across the room. Abigail isn’t asking.

“Of course, Mrs. Harrison. That’s who we are here for, after all. The kids.”

“Great. Are there any other concerns?”

I want to disagree—not because I have concerns but because hiring him means, as school principal, I will be working with him—and that’s not something I’m sure my sanity can handle. He’s already witnessed one break down from me. I don’t need him around for more.

Abigail finally looks at me, and just for a moment, I consider voicing concern, but then I picture the pity she wore when she said my Birdie’s application had been denied because the committee believes I am cold.

To disagree with hiring Theo merely out of self-preservation would prove them right, so I snap my mouth closed and shake my head.

There’s a softness in Abigail’s gaze as she stares at me for a second longer, and then it disappears as she looks around the room.

“If there are no other concerns, then congratulations, Mr. Sylvis, you are hired,” she says, her eyes coming to a stop on Theo.

Theo winces, and I wonder how Abigail was able to convince him to do this because from the little I know about him, I don’t think he would without someone twisting his arm.

Like he can read my mind, he leans my way, swiping his hand over his face to hide his mouth, and whispers, “You can blame Hayes for this.”

He sits back in his seat, and I roll my eyes because of course I can. Hayes Miller is a bigger pain in my butt than the one sitting beside me.

______________________

“If you’re finished—” Eric says, and everyone’s attention snaps back to him.

Abigail considers him with her eyebrows turned downward. Her gaze is steely as she takes him in, narrowing her eyes. A smart man would back down, but no one ever accused Eric of being smart.

Eric squirms in his seat, trying to hold Abigail’s gaze, but he’s looking away within seconds. A ghost of a smile appears on Abigail’s lips before she hands the meeting over to him again.

“Of course, Mr. Westbrook,” Abigail says with a hint of humor in her voice. “All you had to do was ask.”

Eric’s face turns purple again, and I’m ninety-percent sure Abigail will be the reason he is diagnosed with high blood pressure. He sputters for a minute but finally gains control of himself as Abigail inspects her nails, seemingly unaware of his hysterics.

“You’re too kind, Mrs. Harrison,” Eric deadpans, and she smiles. “Now, as I was saying before, I think it would be best to start with the discussion of the high school principal’s contract.”

I’ve just taken out a pen and paper for notes, but my eyes snap to Eric’s with his declaration.

“I wasn’t aware this was up for discussion,” I say calmly, though it doesn’t match the storm brewing on the inside.

From the corner of my eye, I see Abigail carefully placing her hand in her lap and glaring at Eric. His declaration is clearly news to her, too.

At least there’s that.

Theo sits up straighter in his seat, apparently a part of all my embarrassing moments now. Stiffening my spine, I start to count.

One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three—

“There have been some concerns with your performance, and, in light of recent events, I think it prudent we evaluate your position here.” Eric folds his hands together and lifts one brow as if that alone proves his point.

“What events are we talking about exactly? The fire or the rumors about the fire. Because we both know those two things are vastly different.” I level Eric with a hardened stare.

If he thinks I’m going down without a fight, he’s wrong.

I’ve fought for my place my whole life, and I learned a long time ago not to cower under men who have egos too big for them to support.

Abigail’s lips twitch, and for a second, I worry I’ve just made things worse—that the callousness in my voice will only add to her view of me—but then she turns her face toward me, just enough so Eric can’t see, and winks.

The knot in my chest loosens just a smidge before I turn my attention back to Eric.

“Both. Frankly, some of the rumors I have heard are not fitting for someone in the high school principal position. It is my understanding there are concerns that the fire at the community building was no accident, and funnily enough, you were the only one there, Ms. Carson.”

My mouth drops open. I always knew Eric was a psychopath, but I never knew he was crazy enough to accuse me of arson in the middle of a school board meeting.

“You’re telling me that you’re calling my job into question based on rumors that have no basis?”

My whole body is trembling with anger, but I don’t notice it until a large hand covers my knee, keeping it from bouncing up and down. Heat seeps past the material of my pants and into my skin, and I can’t tell if it’s the kind that burns or comforts.

“Well, Chief Sylvis is here. I’m sure he’d be glad to set the record straight. Which is it, Chief?” Eric asks, pure glee on his face when he turns his attention to Theo. “Rumor or true?”

Theo’s fingers stiffen, the tips digging just slightly into my leg, and I get my answer. His heat doesn’t burn. It scalds. “I’m afraid that’s a closed investigation, Mr. Westbrook. Need to know only, and I’m afraid you don’t need to know.”

A slow grin spreads over Eric’s mouth before he turns to the other board members and addresses them.

“This week, I have spoken with several of you about my concerns with Ms. Carson. It’s not just the fire, which we can all agree is suspicious, seeing as Ms. Carson was the only one there at the time.

It’s more than that. She doesn’t belong here.

She’s an outsider to the town, and we need someone who knows our town. Someone who will represent it proudly.”

A chorus of reluctant agreement ripples through the members, but I’m stuck on four words.

She doesn’t belong here.

The words hit me like an arrow, letting all my inner demons out through the cracked wound it creates when it lands.

“And what about me, Eric?” Abigail asks, her voice so icy it’s a little scary. “I’m part of this board as well. Did you not think about bringing your concerns to me?”

Eric’s Adam’s apple jumps, swallowing hard under Abigail’s ire. “I assumed you would be too busy for a meeting, Mrs. Harrison. I know those little committees you’re on don’t run themselves.”

The way he says committees says precisely how he feels about them. In his eyes, Abigail is a bored socialite. He has no idea how much she actually contributes to this town.

“I assure you, Mr. Westbrook. I am never too busy for you.” It’s not a threat. It’s a promise. She will not stand by and take his disrespect, and neither will I.

“As fun as this conversation has been,” I say, interrupting the glare Eric is throwing at Abigail, “I have a contract for a reason. Unless you can prove that I am unfit for the job with concrete evidence, that contract cannot be terminated.”

Steel stiffens my spine when Eric’s grin turns smug.

“You’re right, Ms. Carson, it cannot. However, the contract does specify that you can be put on administrative leave in the case of an investigation of conduct, and with the actual investigation of a fire, I would consider that enough reason to put you on leave with the possibility of termination of your contract upon its conclusion.

” He pauses, an evil grin on his face as he looks at Theo.

“And I would assume that the possible involvement of the high school principal would provide enough reason to be in the know . Right, Chief?

Theo growls. “You know what they say about people who assume.”

Eric narrows his eyes, but I can’t take anymore of their bickering.

“Fine,” I say. “Place me on leave, but when this is all over, and you are proven wrong, I will expect an apology and a raise. And,” I stop, looking at every coward who sits on the board beside Eric, “I think it would be prudent for the board to evaluate who the real problem is here.”

Without giving any of them a chance to respond, I grab my purse and stand, the chair scraping across the tile floor. Theo’s hand falls from my leg, and I try not to think about how cold I am inside without it.

Looking at Abigail, I give her one sharp nod before I march out of that room like a soldier with my head held high.

I stay like that until the door closes behind me, and then I let the weight of the world crush me.