Page 75 of The Cheerleader is Off Limits

Me:

Yeah, that should work.

Rowan:

How are you doing? Is everything good? You’ve been really quiet. Makes me think you’re avoiding me because you did something, or something happened.

Oh, fuck off.

I hate how well he knows me.

Me:

What are you, my dad?

Rowan:

No, I’m your older brother who knows you better than anyone. Don’t shut me out. I know what you’re going through is probably not easy.

Me:

It’s fine.

Rowan:

Has she tried to talk to you or reach out at all?

Me:

Nope. I think she understands.

This is exactly why I didn’t want to talk to Rowan. I hated lying to him.

That’s another reason I shouldn’t be doing this.

Not only could I get fired and cause a massive scandal, but now I’m lying to my family. The thought hits me hard, and I feel the pressure of it all weighing down on me.

I’d never get hired at another high school.

I’d probably lose my license.

Years of work and praise and accolades gone because I couldn't keep it in my pants.

My career would be over.

I could see the articles now, painting me as the stereotypical teacher who has inappropriate relationships with his students. They’d question everything I’d done before now. Probably question other students about my relationships with them. They’d dissect every interaction I’d ever had with any female student. Students might even feel uncomfortable and start second-guessing harmless interactions as me trying to initiate something more.

FUCK!

What was I thinking?

Okay, worst-case scenario. I could do something else?

Maybe a college sports program.

But you’re not going to leave Westlake midseason, and after May, it won’t be a problem because Sloane will have graduated.

Not to mention, a college program isn’t looking to hire midseason.