Page 2 of Finding Happily Ever After
No dreams. No future.
It didn’t take long for the girls to lose interest in the new, sulky, angry version of him. And not much longer before his old teammates and friends drifted away too.
It took one special teacher, Mr. Stevens, to break through the walls that he’d put up to protect him. One teacher who saw the light in him wasn’t completely out. Mr. Stevens pushed and prodded and encouraged him to write about his feelings and experiences until one day, Aiden started talking.
It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually Aiden came back to himself. To a new version of himself. All because of a teacher who refused to give up on him.
When it came time to go to college, there was no other choice. He’d be an English teacher, just like Mr. Stevens. And he’d help as many kids as he could.
Still, he shook his head,it wouldn’t hurt to have a little bit of free time to enjoy his new town.
Aiden blew out a breath and turned his attention to his computer screen and his digital calendar once more. At least he had a spare period now. Time to prepare his lessons and—
“Knock knock.”
He tried not to tense at the sound of Megan Cross, the principal of Glacier Falls High. Despite the fact that the woman was at least ten years older than his thirty-one years,andthe fact that she was his superior and no doubt it was completely against school policy and totally bordered on inappropriate, Megan Cross didn’t bother to hide her attraction to him. Mostly Aiden had managed to dodge her advances and not-so-subtle questions about his relationship status.
“I hope I’m not interrupting you.”
Aiden turned and put a smile on his face. “Not at all. I was just about to start on some—”
“Oh good.” Megan sat, uninvited, on the edge of his desk. “I knew you had a spare period this afternoon, so I was hoping I’d find you right here. And of course I did, because you’re always here.” She smiled and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear.
Megan was an attractive woman, but even if she wasn’t his boss, Aiden wouldn’t be interested. He didn’t have time for a relationshipanda career as a teacher at Glacier Falls High. No way.
“You know,” Megan continued, “you have been a huge asset to our faculty, Aiden. I am really glad you decided to join us at Glacier Falls High.”
He pushed his chair back and crossed his arms over his chest. This felt like more than flirting. It felt almost as if he were being buttered up for—
“Which is why I need you to take care of something for me.”
And there it was.
He nodded knowingly. “I knew there had to be more to it than flattering me unnecessarily.”
“Oh no.” She looked shocked. “I meant everything I said, Aiden. You are a great teacher and the kids are really responding to you. We’ve had nothing but positive comments.”
“And now you need me to…”
“Take over the Outdoor Ed class.”
She spoke so matter-of-factly, Aiden wasn’t sure he’d heard her properly. He chuckled. “I’m sorry, I thought you said you wanted me to take over Outdoor Ed.”
“I did.” Megan crossed her arms and looked at him pointedly.
“But Doug Ivar teaches that class.” He didn’t need to add that Doug Ivar was the perfect person to teach the class. He wasn’t only the head of the phys ed department, he himself was also an avid outdoorsman. In fact, Aiden was looking forward to asking him about some of the trails he should start with when he did have time for some hiking in the spring.
Megan’s lips pressed together into a line so thin they all but disappeared. “He did,” she said. “But he’s out for…well, likely for the rest of the year. He was out back-country skiing on the weekend and got caught up in some sort ofsituation.” She used her fingers to make quotes. “He broke an arm and his collarbone, and is in traction with multiple fractures in his leg.”
“Holy shit.”
“To put it mildly.” Megan took a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back. “While he’s recovering, the rest of the phys ed department can cover most of his classes, except—”
“Outdoor Ed. Obviously.”
“Exactly.” She smiled. “You’re the only member of the faculty who has an open spot in their schedule.”
“But it doesn’t make sense.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “That class hikes and backpacks and camps and…I’m a city guy. I just moved here. Hell, I’ve been so busy with the curriculum, I’ve barely had time to get outside myself.” He didn’t bother adding that one of the big reasons he’d taken the job in Glacier Falls was so he could do all of the things he’d just listed. He’d moved for a complete lifestyle change and was looking forward to getting outside and trying some of the activities that the mountains had to offer. Just as soon as he found the time.
