Page 182 of Ice Darling
“What if fighting is pointless?” I growl. “What if she’s already made up her mind?”
“That’s the perfect time to show her that you love her…in spite of everything,” Gunner says.
They don’t understand.
I’m not going to fight for a woman who doesn’t want to be a mother. I tried it once and failed. Never again.
Chance sighs. “Come on. Let’s get back before Coach calls out our names again.”
I try to play with more focus, so the guys won’t feel the need to corner me a second time, but I still end up getting reamed by the coach.
After camp, I pick up Gordie from school.
To my surprise, Miss Potts is waiting on the curb, holding Gordie’s hand. My little girl is smiling and chatting with her, but I still feel a twinge of concern. Did Gordie have an incident during class?
I jog toward them.
“Daddy!” Gordie screams and runs to me.
“Hey, pumpkin.” I give her a big hug and then lift her into my arms as I look at her teacher. “Miss Potts.”
“Hi, Viking,” she says stiffly.
“Why are you outside? Did anything happen?”
“Miss Potts says she wanted to talk to you because my beans grew the best.” Gordie beams like a proud farmer. “I got three of ‘em.”
“That’s great, pumpkin.” I force a smile.
“Viking, I’d like a word?” Miss Potts says. There’s an edge of anger beneath her smile.
I take Gordie’s pink backpack and swing it over my shoulder. “Go play on the swings while Daddy talks to Miss Potts.”
Gordie runs to the playground that’s within eyesight. I return my attention to Miss Potts and see the annoyance on her face. Somehow, I don’t think this discussion has anything to do with Gordie’s condition. Or beans in a cup.
“What’s this about?” I ask.
“Viking, I think it’s time we have a discussion about us.”
My eyebrows rise.
“I’ve made it no secret that I’m interested in you. Although you haven’t been overt about it, I thought there was an understanding between us.”
That genuinely shocks me.
Miss Potts reads my stunned expression and explains, “I’ve seen the way you treat other women in town, and you were always nicer to me.”
“You’re my daughter’s teacher.”
“Was that really all it was?” Miss Potts demands.
The fervor of her words and the betrayal in her eyes makes me question every interaction I’ve had with her.
“I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, Miss Potts. That wasn’t my intention at all.” I shake my head. “The only feelings on my part are respect and appreciation. I’m a friend ofanyonewho takes care of my daughter and treats her well. That’s the extent of it.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and she croaks, “So you’re saying this has all been in my head? You really don’t like me?”
I’m suddenly, overwhelmingly exhausted. After everything that’s happening with the team and with Cordelia, I don’t have the patience for this.
