Page 64 of Burn It Down

I keep my voice low. “I don’t think he’d have a problem with it, but it’s complicated because Spencer is his teacher.”

That seems to make Bowen think for all of two seconds. “Who cares?”

I huff. “Me. Spencer. Probably the principal.”

“Well, fuck all of you.”

“Ummm!” Of course my kid comes in just at that time. “You said the really bad one.”

Bowen laughs and gives Elijah a hug. “Sorry about that, kid. But your dad is being silly.”

Elijah looks confused but luckily lets me maneuver him toward the door. I wave my middle finger at Bowen behind my back on the way out and hear his laughter behind me.

I can’t deny, though, that he’s in my head. The entire drive, I think about whether it would be so bad if Elijah knew I was dating his teacher. But I refrain from talking to him about it—especially because it’s something Spencer and I need to decide together.

I drop him off at the door and only get a brief glance at my boyfriend, as he’s busy with helping lots of kids into the building.

I don’t miss the quick wink he sends me though, and it fuels the rest of my day and twenty-four-hour shift.

I’m there to pick Elijah up the next afternoon, and while it’s still chaos, I get a moment to talk to Spencer. It’s the start of winter break now. Two full weeks off school, and I can’t leave without knowing I’ll see him way before then.

“You busy tonight?” I ask, clearly surprising him a little, but he doesn’t look around him to see if anyone else is listening. No one is—I already checked—but it’s reassuring that he didn’t need to check.

“I’m not. What do you have in mind?”

“I was thinking dinner.” I look down at Elijah, who looks pleased. “Lasagna.”

“Sounds good to me.” He looks at my son. “What about you? Is it okay if I join you?”

“Yeah! I can show you what I want for Christmas.”

I laugh at that and shake my head, placing my hand on top of his little head. It’s cold out today, but the sun is out, and there’s no snow on the ground. “You’ve been showing me for weeks.”

“Just in case you forget,” Elijah says, looking up at his teacher. “You can remind him.”

Spencer laughs at that and then nods. “Sounds like a great plan.” He looks at me. “Will Bowen be home?”

I nod my head. “Yeah. He’s still off for another week.” I lower my voice a little. “Is that okay?”

“Yes,” he says instantly, and relief washes over me. I think we both know this is a huge step, and it makes me happy to know he’s fully in this with me.

“See you around seven?”

“I’ll be there.” He waves to Elijah and me before we walk out to the car, and I start driving us home.

“Dad?”

“Yeah, buddy?” I ask as I turn out of the school parking lot.

“Are you and Mr. Bell dating?”

I nearly hit the curb, jerking the car a little before recovering, and look back at my son using the mirror. “What?”

“Are you dating?” he asks pointedly, no messing around. He doesn’t look upset, but his eyes are demanding an answer.

I don’t know what the hell I should say here. I can’t lie to him. I promised myself a long time ago I wouldn’t lie to my kid. “Would you be okay with that?” I ask slowly.

“Yeah,” he answers—kind of like I’m an idiot. Honestly, he reminds me of Tori in that moment. “He’s nice.”

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