Teaching Rowan (Claimed 2)

"Gabriel Dunham's uncle, Colton Walker, was involved in an accident," he says, his voice soft. "Jon asked Johnson to have you take Gabe home until someone can come get him."

"Colton was in an accident? Is he okay?" My eyes grow wide, worry shooting through me. He and I aren't as close as Lisa and I are, but Colton is a friend. I've known him most of my life. He's one of the best people I know.

"It sounds pretty serious." Dr. Thone is scowling again, but I'm not sure why.

The door the principal's office opens, drawing my attention.

I gulp when Johnson steps out, his thin hair slicked down on top of his head and his lips pursed as if he ate something sour. His gaze falls on me and then moves to Dr. Thorne. He draws himself up to his full height, as if he's trying to make himself taller. It doesn't work though. Compared to Dr. Thorne, he might as well be my height.

"Miss Lassiter," he says, speaking to me like I'm an errant child. "I was coming to find you. Did Jamie Grier not inform you that you were needed in my office?"

Why does he have to be such a jerk?

I reach deep for a little patience, plastering an apologetic smile on my face.

"I'm sorry, Principal Johnson. I was just–"

"I've taken care of it," Dr. Thorne growls, cutting me off.

Johnson's sour expression grows. He glances between me and Dr. Thorne again, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"You're free to go," Dr. Thorne says, his tone sharp, commanding…not at all the gentler, kind tone he's used with me.

Johnson's ruddy face turns almost purple. He puffs out his chest and then gives Dr. Thorne a curt nod. He glares at me one final time and then steps back into his office.

I have a feeling he's going to make my life a lot harder now. Johnson is a stickler for appearances. He likes to be the one pulling the strings and making the decisions. He probably isn't going to appreciate that I just witnessed Dr. Thorne dismissing him like he loves to do to us.

Neither Thorne nor I say anything for a long moment, and then I remember why Johnson called me down here in the first place. Colton was in an accident.

"Cadence!" I gasp, my heart sinking. "Someone needs to tell Cadence. She and Colton are…" Am I allowed to tell him that Cadence and Colton are dating? I don't think it's against the rules, but it's not really my news to spread.

"Miss Grayson has been advised," Dr. Thorne murmurs, his scowl vanishing. "Jon is taking her to the hospital to see him. They left a few minutes ago."

"Oh, thank goodness." I exhale a pent-up breath, relieved I don't have to spill the beans. Cadence doesn't have very many friends here yet. All of the male teachers went gaga over her when she first started, but she turned all of them down. She keeps to herself a lot. I'm kind of hoping the two of us will be good friends though. I genuinely like her.

"Can you take Gabe home?" Dr. Thorne asks, referring to Lisa and Jon's son. He's in Cadence's class this year. I'm really hoping he ends up in mine next year. He is so cute, especially since his baby sister was born on Friday. He hasn't stopped talking about her since.

"Of course." I frown up at Dr. Thorne, suddenly worried again. "Has anyone told him about Colton yet? They're super close." Gabe idolizes his uncle.

Dr. Thorne shakes his head. "We thought it best to let Jon and Lisa decide what to tell him and when. We don't know a whole lot yet."

That's probably a good idea. Until we know how bad things are, we should probably hold off. Besides, Lisa and Jon really need to be the ones to decide what to tell him and when.

"Do you know what happened?" I ask.

"A crane collapsed on a worksite and he was injured. Come on," he says, wrapping a hand around my elbow and leading me to the bench across the hall. He nudges my shoulder, gently trying to make me sit. My skin hums where he touches me. "You look a little pale. I don't want you passing out on me."

"I'm fine."

"Good, then you'll be fine sitting."

"You're bossy."

He quirks a brow.

"Fine. I'll sit," I mumble, sinking down onto the wood and iron bench. I have to crane my neck way back to see him. "Happy now?"

He grunts.

"If Johnson catches me out here again, I'm blaming you."

He scowls again. Interesting. Maybe he doesn't like Richard Johnson much? Before I can ask him that wildly inappropriate question, he pins me with a look that soaks my panties.

"You don't have to worry about Johnson," he says, his voice soft and heated. "He won't be a problem for you again."

"Easy for you to say," I mutter, and then grimace. "I'm sorry. That wasn't very nice. Johnson means well. He's just…"

"A dictator? A tyrant? An autocratic dick with OCD tendencies?"

"I was going to go with set in his ways," I say, shaking my head and smiling. Dr. Thorne does not mince words or beat around the bush. "He wants what's best for the school, but he tends to forget that what's best for the school isn't always what's best for the children who go here. The most successful schools put the kids first, not the data."

Thorne's irritation melts, his expression softening. Surprise flickers in his onyx eyes. He opens his mouth to say something, but his phone rings. He makes an annoyed sound in the back of his throat before dragging it out of his pocket to look at it. His scowl deepens. "I'm sorry," he says, genuinely apologetic. "I need to take this."

I jump to my feet. "I need to get back to class anyway. Um, thank you. For letting me know about Colton."

"Rowan."