Page 6 of Her Forbidden Teacher

“Good luck with that rule,” Coach Long murmurs, dunking a carrot stick in some ranch. “None of these kids listen to a damn thing we say around here. But I admire you for trying. If itsends too many brats my way, we’ll need two detention teachers. Remember that, Langford.”

“Theo,” I say with a chuckle. “And I’m a team player. If you need help with detention, I’m your man.”

What I don’t tell him is I don’t have anything better to do. No friends. No social life. Nothing.

“Everett.” He polishes off the rest of his carrots and then says, “As much as I love detention, I have a family who waits for me by the door each day. They got used to me being home all summer. Might have a few days I need to skip out of here early.”

I give him a nod. “Any time. Just holler.”

The man smiles at me but it kind of reminds me of a lion baring its teeth. He means well, and I think I may have made a work friend. It’s something.

He devours the rest of his food and then rises to his feet. After clasping me on my shoulder with impressive strength, he saunters away.

Principal Renner joins me next, limping slightly on his way over to me. “How was your first day?”

“I survived.” I shake his hand and he takes his seat. “Most of them loathe the idea of sitting in the heat and playing in the dirt.”

“These kids will always find something to complain about. No trouble, though?”

“Nah. It’s a nice change,” I admit. “The accounting life was dull.”

Principal Renner snorts out a laugh. “Teaching is anything but. I’m glad you’re here.”

After making a twenty-minute appearance at the staff party, I slip out and head toward the parking lot. Before I reach my truck, I notice a single car sitting in the student parking lot.

I toss my crap inside my vehicle and then make my way over to see if the student needs help. As I approach, I note the vehicleis brand-new and expensive. Costs more than a handful of the staff cars combined, including mine. When I see silky blond hair that glimmers in the sunlight through the windshield, my stomach tightens for some strange reason.

“Addison?”

Her head is bowed. She’s frowning, cheeks wet with fresh tears. I rap my knuckles on her window. She startles and screams. Once she sees me, she relaxes and rolls down the window. The scent of her fruity perfume swirls out of her car, wrapping around me and filling my lungs.

She smells sweet.

Her lips curl into a shy smile. “Oh, hey, Mr. Langford.”

I almost blurt out for her to call me Theo but refrain at the last second. Teaching is a lot more different than accounting. It’s going to take some getting used to.

“Everything okay?”

She nods too quickly. “Yep. Just fine.”

“Car working?”

“Yeah. It’s fine. I’m about to go home.” She flinches as she says the last part. “Not in a hurry.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask why she doesn’t want to go home.

But I’m smart enough to know it’s not appropriate.

She’s a student and I’m her teacher.

“Well, you have to do it eventually,” I say gently to her. “Right?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Sign up for Greenhouse Club and FFA. That’ll keep you busy.”

I’m teasing, I think.