Page 34 of Overdue Feelings
“Nah, but I will be,” I said honestly.
Creek didn’t ask any questions, she just pulled me into her arms. I let her hold me.
“I’m sorry they’re like that,” she whispered.
“You didn’t make them that way,” I said.
“We got you, bruh.” Zae laid a hand on my shoulder.
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“I heard all that commotion outside.” Gigi’s voice cut through the air. Gigi stepped in.
“Tell those parents of yours they can get in line behind everyone else who disapproves of what y’all got going on.” Creek snorted, and I laughed. “They forgot whose house this is,” Gigi added, pointing toward the freezer. “Now somebody get the good strawberry shortcake ice cream out the deep freezer before it gets freezer burn.”
Zae moved quickly, grabbing the ice cream and handing out bowls while Creek grabbed the spoons.
“Y’all love each other real good. Let the town talk. This house? This family? It’s solid.” Gigi’s words hit hard, and just like that, the sting of everything else going on faded.
Walkinginto the school board meeting hand in hand with Zae and Ares at my side felt surreal. My palms were slick with nerves. When principal Voss called me in the office, I never in a million years thought she’d be showing me a string of emails from parents about us. That was the last thing I thought she wanted. I figured it was about a student or the book fair leftover inventory.
I let out a nervous breath as we made it through the small boardroom. There were five members sitting in a row, trying to look impartial. Principal Voss sat off to the side. She gave me a soft, supportive nod as I took my seat. Zae squeezed my hand once before letting go, taking the seat beside me. Ares stayedstanding, arms folded behind my chair like he was my security guard or something.
I watched as one of the board members adjusted her glasses and cleared her throat at the sight of all three of us together. They’d tried to stop them from joining me at the front door, but both Ares and Zae refused to let me come inside alone. Ares had flat out told the man, “One band one sound. If she walks in, so do we.” It was romantic as hell to say the least.
“Ms. Delaney, thank you for coming. As you’ve been made aware, there have been concerns raised by members of the community and parents, regarding the nature of your relationship with two colleagues.”
I kept my face steady. Ares squeezed my shoulder and Zae my thigh.
“I’m aware, but I also want to clarify. I’ve always maintained professionalism. My personal life doesn’t interfere with my responsibilities to students or staff, and also, the proposed complaints were made from an incident that happened after my working hours.”
“We’re aware it happened after hours,” the man in the center said, voice sharp like he had something up his ass. “But some parents don’t see boundaries that clearly. Their emails say this relationship sets a poor example for students, and I’m going to agree.”
I opened my mouth to respond but Zae beat me to it.
“I’ll make it easy for y’all,” he said, standing. “I resign.”
“What?” I turned to him, but he kept his eyes locked on the board.
“I’m not about to let y’all drag her for something we all signed up for. She ain’t do nothing wrong. If a relationship off the clock is enough to cause all this, I’m good.”
The room broke out in chatter and whispers, and Ares stepped forward.
“I resign too,” he said calmly. “If the problem is us being employees for the district, I’ll put in my notice at the end of the semester. And if y’all want it sooner, just say the word.”
My stomach dropped, and I sat frozen in my seat. This wasn’t part of the plan. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I didn’t know what to say. Was I supposed to quit?
“With all due respect.” Principal Voss stood. “Ms. Delaney is one of the most respected staff members. There’s been no breach of conduct. No inappropriate behavior on school grounds. If we start letting go of good teachers for falling in love, we’re gonna have a staffing crisis.”
The board members whispered among themselves, shifting papers, and leaning in close. I sat there staring into space, heart pounding so loud I could barely think. Everything was happening too fast. Zae quitting, Ares ready to walk away, and it was all for me. For our unconventional ass relationship. I was so overwhelmed with emotion I didn’t know if I wanted to cry or scream.
I looked up at both of them, and they stood there unbothered, like they did not tie their peace to this job.
“We’ll take a brief recess.” One of the board members finally spoke into the mic before they all stood and filed out of the room. The door clicked shut behind them, and I didn’t waste any time turning to stare at them.
“Y’all serious right now? What the hell was that?”
“We not about to let them play in your face.”
