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Chapter Thirty-Three

IVY

It starts small.

A weird glance from the school secretary. A hushed whisper from a few teachers at the copier.

I try to shake it off—until I walk into the teachers’ lounge at lunch, and Lauren practically tackles me.

“Oh my god.” She shoves her phone into my face. “Uh, babe? You’re officially famous.”

My stomach clenches as I grab the phone, my heart already racing.

A sports gossip blog has just dropped an article, complete with a headline that makes me want to throw up:

REPORT: CHICAGO STALLIONS’ HEAD COACH JACKSON KNOX EXPECTING CHILD WITH MYSTERY SCHOOL TEACHER FROM IOWA

My entire body goes cold.

“No. No, no, no.” I shake my head. “How did they even find out?”

Lauren grimaces. “No clue, but everyone in town is probably putting two and two together real fast. Gossip travels at the speed of light these days.”

My fingers tremble as I scroll. The article is full of speculation. No name. No official confirmation. Just a picture of Jackson from Sunday’s game, looking focused and intense on the sidelines. But the comments —oh god.

“Who’s the chick?”

“No way. Coach Knox is about to be a DILF.”

“Another athlete knocking someone up? Classic.”

“I bet it’s just some gold digger. Small town teacher? C’mon.”

I feel like I might throw up.

And then comes the final blow when Lauren nods toward the window. “Um. Speaking of everyone putting two and two together…”

I follow her gaze, my heart stopping.

Because right outside the school gates?

There are reporters .

A camera crew.

People holding microphones, scanning the parking lot.

No. No, no, no.

My hands are shaking as I fumble for my phone. I shoot Jackson a photo, and send a message.

Me: What do we do?

Jackson’s reply is almost instant.

Jackson: Stay where you are. I’m handling it.

My head is spinning.

I came to work today just wanting a normal Monday.

Now? I’m the center of a media frenzy.

Lauren places a firm hand on my shoulder. “Babe. Breathe. You’re not alone in this.”

But as I glance back at the window, at the reporters waiting for me to step outside?—

I’m not so sure.

Then, Jackson calls.

“Hey babe.”

“Hey.”

“Well, we couldn’t hide forever. You okay?”

“Fine.”

“I’m sorry…it has to be like this,” he says. “This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.”

“Well, maybe if the team sucked this year you wouldn’t be such a big deal.”

He laughs. “You’re funny. No, we will not be sucking this year.”

I sigh. “I’ll be fine. Dealing with a few reporters is no big deal when I’m putting up with unruly kids all day.”

“I just wish I could be there, physically.”

I heave a sigh. “Alright. I gotta go. Talk later.”

I sit at my desk, my hands clenched in my lap, my stomach twisting in knots. The final bell rang ten minutes ago, and I should be halfway home by now. But instead, I’m hiding.

Principal Howard leans against the doorway, arms crossed, a concerned look on her face. “They’re still out there.”

I already know. I saw them from the window—at least three news vans parked in front of the school, reporters gathered near the entrance.

I swallow hard. “How bad does it look?”

Howard exhales. “Bad. They’re waiting for you.” She pauses. “How do you want to handle this?”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “I’d love to call in sick indefinitely.”

Her lips press together. “I can have security escort you out the back.”

A flicker of hope rises in my chest—until I remember where my car is. Parked right in front of the school.

“I can’t just avoid them forever.” I force myself to stand, smoothing my hands over my stomach. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Howard nods and leads the way.

I brace myself as we push through the doors.

The moment I step outside, it’s like stepping into a storm.

Cameras flash. Voices fire at me from every direction.

“Miss Bennett! Are you really having Jackson Knox’s baby?”

“Is he supporting you, or is this a scandal?”

“Are you two together?”

“Has he proposed ?”

My chest tightens, my hands gripping my bag so tight my knuckles go white. I feel dizzy, overwhelmed.

Then, a familiar voice cuts through the noise.

“Move. Get out of the way.”

Lauren.

She pushes through the crowd, grabs my arm, and tugs me forward.

“No comment,” she says firmly, glaring at a reporter who gets too close. “Back off , bitches!”

Somehow, she manages to pull me through the chaos, guiding me toward my car. The second I’m inside, I slam the door shut and grip the steering wheel, my breath coming fast.

Lauren slides into the passenger seat, muttering curses under her breath.

“Well,” she says finally. “That was insane .”

I let out a shaky laugh. “You think ?”

She turns to me, her face softening. “Are you okay?”

I shake my head. “Not really.”

Before she can respond, my phone buzzes.

Jackson.

Jackson: Hey. Just saw some live footage of you leaving the school…Are you okay?

My fingers tremble as I type back.

Me: No. But I will be.

Lauren sighs, leaning back. “You need a plan, babe.”

I nod, staring at my phone.

Because one thing is clear.

This isn’t going away.

And neither is Jackson Knox.

I swallow hard, still gripping the steering wheel like it’s the only thing keeping me tethered to reality. Lauren watches me carefully, her concern obvious.

“You gonna be okay?” she asks softly.

I don’t know how to answer that.

Before I can figure it out, my phone rings.

Jackson.

I stare at the screen for half a second before answering.

“Hey,” I manage. My voice is shaky, my emotions still raw from the ambush outside.

“Stay where you are,” he says, his voice firm, no room for argument. “I’m coming to you. We need to talk. In person.”

My breath catches. “Jackson, you don’t have to?—”

“I do.” His voice softens, but there’s still an edge of urgency. “Just wait for me, okay?”

I exhale, my grip on the steering wheel loosening. “Okay.”

The line goes dead.

Lauren lets out a low whistle. “Damn. That man does not play around.”

I shake my head, my heart pounding.

No, he doesn’t.

“So did he mean, like, stay in your car? ” Lauren jokes.

“I think he thought I was at home. Because I’m not staying here, no,” I say as I turn the key.

“I thought that too.”

And something tells me…this conversation?

It’s about to change everything.