Page 13 of Rocking Cedarwood

Chapter Four

Niall sat in the meeting and participated but noticed only about half of what was being said. How could he? Michael consumed his thoughts. He jotted down notes and flipped through the pages of test scores, but every time he glanced over at Michael, his skin tingled.

Arnold Havermeier tapped the table with his pen. “Okay, so we’ve got three troublemakers coming out of third and heading to fourth.” He read off the names. “I’ve had two of them. Niall, you had the McKinnon boy in your class. I don’t know about yours, but I know mine cannot be in the same class together. Not only are they dangerous together, they are oil and water. Niall?”

He needed a moment to compose his thoughts. “Jake McKinnon isn’t a bad kid, per se. He’s misunderstood. His folks divorced this year and his mother is in a relationship with another woman. It’s been a lot for him to handle. He needs to be in a class where the teacher is willing to work with him. He’ll push the limits, but once he knows the teacher will enforce the boundaries, he does better.”

“I’ll take him.” Michael nodded. “His parents don’t know what to do with him, do they? They see the acting out as just being trouble?”

“His mother doesn’t want him to grow up too fast. At the same time, Mom’s new girlfriend scares him. I don’t think he understands the idea of two women being a couple. I think it’s great they’re finally happy.” Niall slid Jake’s paperwork across the table. “He’s not sure what to think about having a mom and another woman who wants to be like a mom. His dad doesn’t help matters much because he’s part of the antigay group. The kid gets mixed messages. Just be patient with him.”

“I can do that.” Michael’s voice dropped an octave. The lower tone sent a shiver through Niall’s body.

“We can discuss Jake again when the new school year starts.” Niall tapped his files together. The upcoming school year seemed so far away. First, he needed to get through the summer.

He listened through the rest of the meeting but didn’t have much to add. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around Michael asking him out and the fact that he’d been offered tenure. Tenure! The gay teacher who didn’t back down from admitting he was homosexual had been extended a long-term contract. Goodness, in Cedarwood admitting he was gay could get him into trouble. Now he wouldn’t have to worry as much about losing his job. The nasty comments and letters would no doubt continue.

When the meeting adjourned, he tucked his papers into his messenger bag. “Hey, Michael, I’ve got to go to the office to sign that contract. I—”Crap.He couldn’t say they were meeting. “I’ll drive you home afterward. Okay?” The lie probably wasn’t much better.

“I’ve got to sign mine, too. I’ll just follow you.” Michael gathered up his papers. “I need to drop these by my room first.”

“Sure.” He adjusted the strap on his bag then checked his phone. No texts, but three emails about his fantasy football league and one from a college friend. He wondered what his friend wanted. Probably a reunion or something. Another email popped up as he flipped through the messages. Bandit was playing a concert in Cleveland at one of the smaller club venues on Monday. Tickets would be going on sale in the morning.

Well, shit.He had meetings at the school. If he was lucky, maybe he’d get away from the meetings long enough to order his ticket.

“What’s wrong?” Michael eased up beside him. “Got a nasty email or did you get news you weren’t expecting?”

“Yeah. My fantasy football league sent reminders about the upcoming season. The guy who runs it is a friend from high school and he’s really anal about getting things organized ahead of time.” He wandered down the main hallway toward the office. “Also got an email about Bandit and the Blackhearts. They’re playing the Odeon in Cleveland. Tickets go up for sale tomorrow at ten. I’ll try to get them, but there’s no guarantee.”

“I’m sure something will happen and it’ll work out.”

“I hope so.” He opened the door for Michael. “Go ahead.”

The secretary slid the contracts across the counter. The school board president, Mark Johnson, observed the signing and acted as the witness.

Niall’s heart beat a little faster once he slid the signed page back across the desk.

“Congratulations, Mr. Grayson. We hope to have you at Cedarwood Elementary for many years to come.” He shook hands with Niall then turned his attention to Michael. “Two years. I’m glad you’re coming back to Cedarwood Elementary. Thank you both.”

Michael smiled and shook hands with Mr. Johnson. “One more set of meetings and we’re free for the summer.”

“You sound as bad as the kids.” Niall left the office first before he turned to Michael. “You’re that excited to be done?”

“I’m excited to get a break,” Michael said. “I love teaching, but near the end of the school year, the kids get just as goofy as we do. We all need the summer to recharge.”

“True enough.” Niall stopped at his classroom. “I’ve got some chairs to stack and to disconnect my computer. What time…did you want to…” He glanced down the hallway. They seemed to be alone, but he couldn’t be sure.

“I’ll get some stuff done in my room and in half an hour, I’ll let you know I’m leaving.” He winked. “You know where I live, so you can meet me there when you’re ready if you’d rather.”

Niall nodded then headed into his classroom. He wouldn’t need the whole half hour. Unplugging and storing the computer wouldn’t take long. Within a few minutes, he had the job completed. He stacked the student chairs in the corner and double-checked his desk. The drawers were cleaned out already, but he needed to do one last spot check. He slapped his palms on his thighs and nodded.

“All done?” Michael leaned against Niall’s door frame. He’d done the same thing so many times, but he’d never looked so sexy before. The man reminded him of a model.

“I am.” Niall closed the main drawer of his desk. “I won’t have much to do tomorrow aside from year-end meetings and putting in my final supply list. My grades are already in.”

“Cool.” Michael crossed his arms. “I was thinking about ordering a pizza tonight and watching one of the basketball games. Want to join me?”

Pizza and basketball sounded good. “Want me to bring anything?”

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