Page 15 of My Turn

“Because he was a coward.”

“That makes you a coward too.”

His jaw hardened. When he stepped into me, I backed up against the whiteboard.

“I found out a month before he died and I gave him an ultimatum. He tells you or I do. After the fire, I didn’t know what to do, Alana. It didn’t feel right to add more to your pain.”

“You should have told me.” I shoved on his chest, but he didn’t budge.

“It was his mistake. I’m not going to be demonized for it. All I’veeverwanted is what’s best for you, Alana.”

“That’s a fucking lie! You didn’t do what’s best for me.”

His eyes darkened as he leaned closer, pinning me with a gaze so intense that I wanted to look away. When I turned, he grabbed onto my jaw and held me in place.

“You’re right. If I did what was best for you, I would’ve ripped you from his arms a decade ago, but what good would it have done? You can’t even fucking look at me without seeing him. You’ll always cast me in his shadow and because of his endless disappointments, I don’t even get the chance to claw my way out.”

Before I could attempt to formulate a response, he released me. The door latched behind him and I was left staring at the place he’d just been. My breaths were rapid, as if I’d just run a mile.

With shaky hands, I picked up the phone on my desk and hit the extension for the principal.

“Principal McKay,” he answered in a chipper voice.

“Hey, this is Miss Monroe. Something has come up and I need to head out early for the day. Do we have a sub who can cover me?”

He hummed for a minute. “How about I have Jane put on a movie for your classes and she’ll pop over to check on them a few times to make sure they’re doing alright?”

“That sounds perfect. I was giving them a movie day anyway.”

“Great! Is everything okay?”

“It will be. Just some family things. You know how it goes.”

“Sure, sure. You let me know if you need anything, alright?”

“Will do. I’ll see you Monday.”

After I hung up, I gathered my things and ran out the door. I didn’t know what I was going to do right now, but I couldn’t be at work. A bottle of wine at home was always an option, but if I kept dealing with my problems with alcohol by myself, I was going to develop a habit.

It was Halloween. I was sure I could find someplace to be that would keep me away from my spiraling thoughts.

Chapter 6

Jayce

My interaction with Alana kept replaying in my mind the entire time I was working. When someone asked me a question, I responded on autopilot. I knew this project better than anybody. I could answer in my sleep. If they could tell that I wasn’t entirely present, they didn’t make it known.

I was pissed at myself but also annoyed with her. Sure, I should’ve told her, but if I’d gone straight to her without giving Jake a chance to come clean, she would’ve been mad about that too. That might’ve been better now that I thought about it, but hindsight is twenty-twenty. At the time, I didn’t want to wedge myself into that problem. As with everything else, it would only make me connected to everything between them. If he told her and their relationship crumbled, I could more easily salvage what Alana and I had.

His death should’ve made things easier. It was supposed to. If I’d known there were going to be so many hiccups, I would’ve confronted him about it again before I carried out my plan with the fire. I thought the whole issue with his daughter would disappear after that and maybe Alana wouldn’t have to know or it would be a long time before she found out, but the fuckerhad to go and make the kid a beneficiary. He was dead and still getting in my way.

I looked up at the partially constructed rotorcraft with a frown. “You’re behind schedule. Can you tell me why?”

Hector dropped his gaze. “Manpower, mostly. We had a few people quit last month.”

I nodded slowly. “Have you fixed that issue?”

“Yes, we have. I told my team that we would work late tonight and through the weekend in order to catch up.”

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