Page 92 of Pretty Relentless

These next couple of days won’t be easy, but I’ll get through them.

I always do.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Gavin

“Hi, Belle,” I greet the moment I see my ex-wife’s name on my phone.

“Hi, Daddy.”

I’m instantly on alert. My happy daughter sounds anything but. “What’s the matter?”

Annabelle sighs. “Well, Miss Rutledge wasn’t at school today. We had a substitute, Mrs. Bridges, and she told us Miss Rutledge was sick.”

My heart skips a beat at the mere mention of Ava’s name. “Well, I’m sure she’ll be feeling better and back to class soon.” I don’t tell her I already know she’ll be out tomorrow, and the reason isn’t exactly because she’s sick.

“I hope so, but then I came home, and Mommy said she was going to be fired.”

I sit straight up in my seat. “She said what?”

Annabelle sniffles, clearly upset by this news. “She said Miss Rutledge is going to get fired and not teach at my school anymore.”

I sigh and rub my forehead. “I don’t think Miss Rutledge is going to be fired, honey. That’s not something you should worry about.”

“But…she’s such a great teacher. I love being in her class.”

“I know. I’m sure a lot of students feel the same way,” I reply.

“The substitute is okay, but she doesn’t make me smile the way Miss Rutledge does.”

Same.

Clearing my throat, I tell her, “Try not to worry. I’m sure Miss Rutledge will be back in class very soon.”

“I hope so. We’re supposed to watch another science video on Friday, and even though they’re kinda boring, she makes them fun.”

A grin spreads across my face. “Aren’t you supposed to be at karate?” I ask, noting it’s Tuesday night.

“Yeah, I’m waiting on Mom to tell me it’s time to go. After class Mike and Mikey are having dinner with us.”

“That’ll be nice,” I reply absently, my mind on Ava, as it has been since everything blew up yesterday.

“You know, I’ve been thinking,” she starts.

“About?”

“I think you should date.”

I cough, choking on the breath I was taking. “What?”

“Here me out, Dad. You deserve to have nice dinners too, and even though I don’t really want to know, my friends’ moms say you’re hot.”

“Uhh, thanks?”

“I think you should ask out Miss Rutledge.”

There’s no stopping my smile now. “Yeah? Why do you say that?”

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