Page 146 of Secrets in the Deep

Zac pulled up in front of Deep River High School. Trucks took up most of the lot. Big, squared-off pickups parked crooked across faded lines. Some were caked with mud. But the ones that weren’t, were far from clean.

There wasn’t a kid in sight though. Not a surprise. It was Monday afternoon, and everyone was in class.

He climbed from his truck and headed across the lot.

Nora would likely be in a session with a student. The chances of her stepping out of her office at the exact moment he was stepping into Adam’s was low.

So why was he so fucking nervous?

Shit, he needed to snap out of this little infatuation. Nora didn’t want to date him, and for good fucking reason. She was right. Relationships often ended, and they often ended messy. That wasn’t fair on Ryan. Hell no. Nora’s brother was important to her. He was important to Zac.

It was safer for everyone if Zac kept his distance.

He was about to step inside when his phone rang.

A smile curved his lips when he saw who it was.

“No fucking way. I finally get to hear your voice?”

Tate’s deep chuckle sounded over the line. “Does that make it your lucky day?”

Tate was one of the three remaining guys on Zac’s former SEAL team who were still serving. But they’d all put in their retirement packets and would be out in a few months. “Idofeel lucky. What’s going on?”

“I, um, actually have some news to share.”

“Everything okay?”

“My mom’s sick. They’re letting me out early on compassionate discharge.”

Shit. Zac scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m sorry, man.”

“Me too. I’m heading to Wallace in the next month but don’t think she’s got many days left.”

“What can I do?”

“You don’t need to do anything, man. Hearing your voice is good though. Might head to Deep River after.”

“You know we’d love to have you.” A fucking understatement. The team was family. Always would be. “Keep us updated.”

“You know I will.”

Zac waited a second once he hung up. Shitty news about his mother. Having Tate in Deep River sooner would be the only good thing to come out of it.

Another minute passed before he stepped into the school office.

A young woman with a messy bun, blonde streaks in her brown hair, and a name badge that read Miss Karly Fuller looked up. “Hi. Can I help you?”

“I’m Zac Pierce. I’m here for a meeting with Adam Sawyer, gym teacher.”

“One second.” She lifted the phone. As she spoke, Zac looked around the small office, taking in the beige carpet. The white walls. Schools also always had a smell to them. A mixture of chalk dust and books and dry-erase markers.

He hadn’t hated school, but he also hadn’t liked it.

“Thanks, Adam.” Karly set the phone down. “His office is right at the end of this hallway. He’s expecting you.”

“Thanks.” He offered the woman a smile before heading down the hall. A few teenagers walked in either direction. A guy and girl holding hands. A group of three girls who studied him before whispering to one another.

He dipped his chin, offering a small smile. One of the girls giggled before continuing forward.