Torn (Lords of the City #1) (47 page)

“We smell like chlorine,” he observed with a light laugh.

I nodded. “And sweat. You were right, the spa was too hot.”

“In retrospect, that wasn’t a well thought out plan. Believe me, I intend to do much better next time.”

“I think we did it pretty good this time,” I teased.

He laughed and planted a soft kiss on my lips. “I really did miss you, Em. I’m glad you came home from Salem early. Now, why don’t you let me take you to the shower and wash this terrible bleach smell away?”

I met his eyes and gave him a cocky smile. “Only if I get to have my way with you again.”

He laughed and set off for the bathroom. “I think that can be arranged.”

A
few weeks later, I sat at my desk and stared out at my empty classroom. My kids were at their weekly music class, giving me my first moment of silence for what seemed like ages.

The Stallions’ losing streak was blissfully short. The week after they lost to Dallas, they slaughtered Philadelphia. Ethan became even more focused on studying film and tracking the patterns of his opponents’ plays, and I did my best to give him the space he needed to concentrate.

Like Uncle Walt had predicted, I spent less and less time at my place. To me, home had become wherever Ethan was. He made me happier than I ever imagined possible, and I found myself longing to be able to travel with him to away games. I settled for knowing we’d have plenty of time to travel together during my Christmas vacation.

With the break quickly approaching, I was overwhelmed with extra responsibilities at school. It was my turn to organize the annual holiday program, and I was swarmed with well-intentioned parents who were determined to put their own stamp on the show. We had a record number of volunteers and the reason for so many became apparent during our first planning meeting. Since I was in charge of the program, the parents expected Ethan to play some sort of role. I promised he’d be at the actual performance, which set off a frenzy of who could outdo who on food, set design, and costumes. I felt a little guilty for using my relationship to my advantage, but it was nice to have so much help.

“Knock, knock.” Linda stepped through my open door carrying two cups of coffee. She set one on my desk and sat down on my long art table.

“I thought you could use a pick me up,” she explained. “How are you holding up? I know things have been hectic.”

“I’ve been running around like a headless chicken,” I agreed. I took a long sip of the hot coffee and set the cardboard mug back on my desk. “This helps, though. Where are your kids?”

“With Ben,” she explained, rolling her eyes. “He’s started sending his aide down for my class too. I still think it was a mistake not to report him for that shit he pulled during the assembly.”

“To be honest, I couldn’t care less. He’s left me alone. He’s too scared of Ethan to corner me like that again.”

Her grin held some heat in it. “I’m sure he is. But I’d still be happier if his smug, lying ass was fired. I think it would change the whole tone of the school, to be honest. And if Matthews knew he’s been screwing the kids’ moms…”

“Moms? As in plural?” I asked, raising a curious eyebrow. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“I heard he’s been messing around with Mrs. Phillips,” she confided. “You know Mr. Phillips is always traveling with his job. Word is that Ben’s been taking advantage of his absence.”

“He really is a sleazy bastard,” I said, cringing. “I can’t believe I ever let him touch me. How was I the only one who couldn’t see through him?”

“Don’t beat yourself up, Emily. I didn’t realize he was an asshole. I just thought he was boring,” she reminded me.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m glad I caught him cheating on me. If I hadn’t, I’d still be lying to myself.”

“And if you’d never dated Ben, you might not be with Ethan,” she pointed out. “That’s how you have to look at things. If I’m not careful, I start beating myself up for leaving Henry all of those years ago. I think of all the time we wasted apart. But then, I remind myself that what I learned while we were apart is why we work this time. It’s all in how you look at it, Em.”

“I know,” I agreed. “I’m just happy I don’t have to look at Ben at all. And speaking of Ethan, he’s playing in New York on New Year’s Day. We’re going to fly out a few days before and have a little mini vacation. Would you and Henry like to join us?”

She shook her head. “I’d love to. But I promised Henry we’d spend the holidays back in Atlanta with his family. Maybe next time?”

“Definitely,” I agreed.

A knock echoed through the room and we looked at the door.

“Good morning, Mrs. Carver. Can I help you with something?” I greeted one of my student’s mothers. My question was pointless; the woman had a balloon bouquet in one hand and a giant bakery box in the other.

“Today is Finn’s birthday,” she explained with a sheepish blush. “I spoke with Mary this morning and she said it would be okay for me to bring a few treats for the kids. I was hoping to pass out the cupcakes myself. Will the children be back soon?”

“Yes,” I assured her. “They’re in art class at the moment. But I was just about to go get them. Why don’t you set things up here?”

She thanked me, nodded, and started pulling birthday hats and colorful plates out of her huge tote bag.

“Did Mary happen to mention which one of Finn’s classmates has severe food allergies?” I asked, moving to the door.

“Oh, shoot. I knew I forgot something. I’m so sorry… but that’s no reason for all of the other kids to miss out, right?” she asked hopefully.

“It’s fine,” I assured her. “I have allergy friendly snacks in my desk. I’ll be back in just a few minutes, Mrs. Carver.”

Linda followed me into the hall. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to leave her in there alone?” she asked.

“What’s she going to do, steal my dry erase markers?” I asked with a laugh. “I’m not worried about Mrs. Carver. Besides, someone must be looking out for me. I’ve forgotten to lock my door twice this week, but nothing’s turned up missing.”

“That’s not like you.” She frowned, shaking her head.

“Like I said, I’ve been busy,” I replied with a shrug. “Things will calm down after the first of the year. I’ll be able to relax and get into a real routine at Ethan’s.”

“So you’re just moving in with him, then? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“You sound like my uncle,” I replied with a laugh. We slowed to a stop outside the art room and I turned to her with an impatient smile.

“To be honest, all I’m sure of at the moment is that I’m in no mood to corral a room full of sugared up kids. But I don’t have a choice about that at the moment, so I’d like to just get it over with. Can we discuss the wisdom of my relationship choices later? Maybe over a drink?”

“Sure,” she agreed with an understanding nod. “Sorry about the cupcakes. Good call on keeping things on hand for Alfie, by the way. I’m going to do that for his sister.”

I nodded and knocked on the classroom door as Linda turned toward the break room. I led my students in a single file back to the classroom and made them all sit at their own desks before Mrs. Carver passed out the cupcakes and juice boxes. I passed Alfie a bag of allergy friendly trail mix. I returned to my desk and noticed the blue message light flashing on my phone. I swiped the screen and read Ethan’s text.

“Don’t panic, but call me ASAP.”

I glanced out at the kids, who were all happily devouring their unexpected treats. Mrs. Carver moved about the room passing out napkins and making sure everyone was settled. I decided I could spare a few minutes to make sure Ethan was okay and turned my back to the class as I hit his speed dial.

“I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon. I told you not to panic,” he teased.

“And I didn’t. You said ASAP. This was ASAP. What’s going on?”

“I have terrible news,” he warned.

The breath caught in my lungs. “Just tell me.”

“I just got off the phone with my mother. Victor’s getting overwhelmed with questions about you and he’s tired of not knowing how to answer. They’ve invited us to dinner Friday night, so they can get to know you better.”

“That’s far from a disaster,” I replied with a light laugh of relief.

“It’s closer than you’d like to imagine,” he countered gravely.

I was about to reply when chaos broke out in my room. The kids erupted with gasps and screams of panic and a weird thumping noise sent my heart racing. Ethan could hear the commotion on his side of the call.

“Emily, what’s going on?”

I turned back to the class, horrified by the scene before me. All of my students were in hysterical sobs, save Alfie Hollis. He appeared to be having a grand mal seizure in the middle of the room, while Mrs. Carver looked on, paralyzed in horror.

“I have to go,” I told Ethan. I tossed my phone on the desk and rushed to little Alfie. His body stilled, but I realized hives were breaking out across his body. By the time I retrieved his Epi-pen and returned to him, his breaths were coming in short, wheezing spurts. I gave him his shot and pulled him into my lap.

“Mrs. Carver, I need you to get the nurse right away. Her office is beside Principal Matthews. Call 911 on your way and tell them that we have a five-year-old boy who’s had a severe allergic reaction.”

The traumatized mother nodded at me and took her son out of the room with her. I did my best to calm the other children while trying to understand what happened.

“Boys and girls, I know this is scary. But we talked about this on our first day of class, remember? Sometimes, things Alfie eats make him sick. But I’ve given him his special medicine, and Nurse Birling is going to make sure he’s okay. Now, I need to know if anyone gave Alfie a bite of their cupcake.”

The kids all shook their heads. Some muttered, “No, Miss Kinkaid,” while others were still too busy crying to form words.

How the hell did this happen?

Nurse Birling rushed into the room with Principal Matthews and Mary, the school secretary.

“What happened, Emily?” the principal asked.

“I’m not sure. Mrs. Carver brought in cupcakes. I gave Alfie a bag of trail mix that’s safe for him to eat, but I guess he gave in to the urge to taste what the other kids were eating. Where is Mrs. Carver?”

“She told us what happened and then checked Finn out for the rest of the day,” Mary explained. “I called an ambulance, then Mrs. Hollis. Alfie’s parents are going to meet him at the hospital.”

Nurse Birling took Alfie’s vital signs and stared up at me with a frown.

“How much time passed between the start of the reaction and Alfie getting his shot?”

“I’m not sure,” I confessed, my face flushing hot, and my fingers trembling as I pressed them to my throbbing temples.

Less than a minute passed between when I realized what was happening and when I gave him the shot. But how long was he in trouble before anyone noticed? Why the hell didn’t I wait to check in with Ethan? Please God, don’t let this little boy suffer for my mistake.

“What do you mean you’re not sure?” Principal Matthews pressed, a hint of accusation in his voice.

“I mean everything happened so fast. It’s not like I hit a stopwatch. But I’d say it was less than sixty seconds.”

Three paramedics bustled into the room and the kids started crying again.

“Mary, why don’t you take the class to the auditorium?” Nurse Birling suggested. “They’ve seen more than they should have as it is.”

“Of course,” Mary agreed.

I helped her lead the kids to the auditorium and promised them all I’d be back soon with good news about Alfie. I raced back to my classroom, where the medics were loading him onto a stretcher.

“Where are you taking him?” I demanded.

“Children’s Presbyterian,” one of the men answered. “His father called dispatch and requested it. I need to take in samples of everything he ate.”

“Why is that necessary?” I asked. “We know he’s allergic to dairy, and those cupcakes were covered with whipped cream.”

Nurse Birling cleared her throat. “Alfie came to for a minute while you were gone. He said he didn’t eat anything but the special treat you gave him.”

“People develop new allergies every day,” another medic explained. “My wife and I used the same laundry soap for nearly a decade, and then a month ago it started giving her a rash. It’s just one of those things that happens.”

I nodded and retrieved the half eaten snack from Alfie’s desk. “This is what I gave him. I think there are a few untouched cupcakes left in that box. Just take the whole thing.”

He nodded and grabbed the box on his way out the door. I squeezed Alfie’s hand and promised to visit him soon before the other two medics wheeled him out of the room.

“I’m going to get back to the kids,” I announced, my hands still shaking. “They’re so terrified. I need to tell them that Alfie’s going to be okay.”

Principal Matthews stepped into my path. “Mary has already called a substitute,” he informed me. “I’m sorry, Emily. I’m sure this incident wasn’t your fault, and as soon as the tests come back we’ll find out Alfie’s developed a new allergy. But until then, we have to follow protocols. We have to go back to my office and work through an incredibly thick stack of paperwork. And after that, I have no choice but to put you on paid suspension until we’re cleared by the school counsel.”

“You’re kidding me?” I asked in disbelief, feeling lightheaded. “How long will that take?”

“It depends on how long the hospital takes with the lab work. I know this is hard news to absorb, especially after such a traumatic incident. But if everything happened the way you described, you won’t be held at fault.”

I cleared my throat and pushed my shoulders back. “Can I visit the hospital and check on Alfie?”

“I don’t have a problem with that, as long as the Hollis family agrees.”

I nodded and gathered my things from my desk. Linda stuck her head into the room and surveyed the remnants of the chaos.

“I just heard. Amaya Hollis’s uncle picked her up to take her to her family. Is there anything I can do?”