Page 80 of The Coach

I walk into school balancing a coffee, my bag, and a pile of papers, only to be ambushed immediately.

“Miss Bennett!”

I stumble to a stop as one of my students, Gracie, tugs on my cardigan.

“Good morning, sweetheart. What’s up?”

She grins. “Where were you yesterday? Did you get married?”

I choke on my coffee.

Across the hall, I hear someone clear their throat.

I turn, only to find Principal Howard standing outside her office, arms crossed, watching me with a knowing expression.

Great. Just great.

“Ivy, can I see you for a second?”

Gracie gasps. “Are you in trouble?”

“No,” I reassure her. “At least, I don’t think so.”

With a deep breath, I follow Principal Howard into her office.

I barely sit down before she raises an eyebrow.

“So…how was your personal day?”

I shift. “It was fine.”

She leans forward slightly. “Just needed a break?”

“Something like that.”

She studies me for a moment, fingers tapping against her desk.

“Ivy, this isn’t an interrogation. But I know you. You don’t take random days off unless there’s a good reason. So I’m just checking in.”

I swallow hard. I should tell her. I should just get it over with.

But not yet.

“Nothing major,” I lie. “Just needed to step away for a bit.”

Howard tilts her head like she doesn’t believe me, but then she sighs. “Alright. But if you ever need to talk, my door’s open.”

I nod, practically bolting from the office before my guilt makes me spill everything. I’ll tell her about the maternity leave. Soon. But not today.

After staying late at school to catch up on a few things, I drive to my parents’ house.

As soon as I step inside, I’m greeted by the smell of pot roast and my stepdad, Carl.

I freeze for half a second, then recover, shrugging off my jacket.

My mom kisses my cheek, eyeing me suspiciously. “You’re home later than usual.”

“Got caught up at school.”

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