Hey guys, hope you're all doing great!
Once again I'm changing the order in which I update because I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. I might do the same with the next chapter as well.
Thanks so much for all your comments, I still can't believe all the love this story is getting.
Hope you enjoy this chapter and let me know what you think!
Happy reading!
Xoxo,
Nina
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my imagination.
The weekend was quiet, Adam had texted her a couple of times and she replied but didn't give him much to work with.
In an attempt to keep her mind clear, Kim invited Sylvie to go to the gym, hopefully some endorphins would help her.
"Adam was all over the place when you left yesterday. Wanna tell me what happened?" The blonde asked, wiping the sweat off her forehead.
"Nothing happened."
"Ok. Do you want me to tell you what I think happened?" Kim looked at her. "I can guess what you felt when you saw Jay's dog tag, because I felt the same." The brunette dropped her head. "I'm guessing that made you spin out a bit and given the whole situation maybe you felt a little overwhelmed." Sylvie sounded calm, sweet and understanding.
"Yeah. I felt all of that, but I had it under control." Kim replied.
"I'm sure that you leaving had nothing to do with school and grading though." Kim laughed, only now she realized how stupid that excuse was.
"Did Matt ever tell you that Hailey and Adam were together?" This time The brunette's voice sounded a little embarrassed.
"What? They're together? And he's going around kissing you? That little shit!"
"No no no. Not now. They used to date. But judging by your reaction you had no clue either."
"I didn't. Help me understand what's the problem then. I mean, you were not expecting Adam to be the hot sexy virgin cop right? Because it would be weird if he was." They both laughed.
"Of course not. I just wasn't expecting it and it caught me off guard. And then I started wondering why was that the first thing she said to me, he surely never mentioned it, and that maybe she still wants to be with him and I just lost my shit right there." She explained all her theories speaking fast and nervously.
"I don't know, Kim. I don't think so. I mean I didn't tell Matt about my exes right away, did you?" Sylvie stared at Kim, she knew that it was a low blow and was certain that Kim hadn't touched that subject.
"So, you're saying I'm overreacting."
"No. I'm saying that you shouldn't worry about Hailey and that you should really try to sort yourself out or at least talk to Adam about it. Don't push him away."
"I'm gonna lose him. That's what you're saying."
"You're not. But it is not fair for him to be guessing what's going on with you all that time." Sylvie pursed her lips shyly as she said that. She didn't want to be too harsh with Kim, but she also didn't want to sit back and watch as this opportunity was slipping away from her friend's fingers.
"I have to see him tomorrow. He's going to school to sort out this whole Grace situation. Maybe I can talk to him after that." Kim was thinking about what to do as she put all her belongings in her duffel bag.
"Sounds good. Hey, wanna go for a beer or something? All this working out got me thirsty."
"Sure. Let's go."
Hanging out with Sylvie helped her keep her mind off of things. But now, back in the comfort of her own home she knew there were some things she needed to take care of.
She took her phone and opened her text messages. It took her a while to come up with something to write, nothing seemed right and probably what she ended up typing didn't sound good either but she hit send without thinking about it twice. Not overthinking was becoming her main exercise these days, that's exactly why she was making all these rush decisions. Things were moving too fast, she was moving too fast, but after being paralyzed for so long this adrenaline made her feel alive. Although at some point she knew this would come around and bite her in the ass.
Are you up?
Yeah, that was her text. It sounded like a desperate teenager looking for a booty call. Oh well.
I am. Everything ok?
Yeah. Listen, can I call you?
Kim was well aware that the big things she needed to talk to him about weren't things to handle over the phone, but she didn't want him to feel like she was making a scene or something. Besides, they still had to sort out some things about Grace.
Sure.
As soon as she got his answer she called him and it took him nothing to pick up.
"Hey." She spoke timidly.
"Hi. I'm glad you called. I've been kind of worried since Friday. Are you alright?"
"Um, yeah it was nothing. I'm good."
"I'm pretty sure it wasn't just nothing, but maybe we can talk about it later."
Kim smiled. "Yes, we could do that." She stopped for a second and took a deep breath before she kept on speaking. "Adam, I really wanted to talk to you about tomorrow. What do you really need me to do, what's the next step?"
"Travis and I are going to explain the whole situation to principal Quinn. I guess she'll call you in too. It's important we are all on the same page. We've been giving this a lot of thought with Travis and Kit when we can get a hold of him and we really want to make this easy on you. It's gonna be very slow and low key. I'm still the only responsible one for her."
"Yeah, I'm like your back up. Like that day at the park."
"Exactly. Is that ok? Because we can work something else out."
"It's fine Adam." He let go the breath he was holding in making it completely audible from the other side of the phone, showing Kim that he was as nervous as she was. "One more question."
"Go for it."
"Did you tell Grace?"
"I didn't. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to do that together."
"I'd like that, yeah."
"Ok then. Tomorrow after school. Sounds good? We can go to that bakery you took her to, she keeps talking about it, or maybe you can come over. I don't know, what do you think would be better for her?"
"Stability." Kim sighed, she liked the bakery plan but after working with kids so much, she learned that consistency and stability was always a go, especially during a rough time. "I think since this is yet another change in her routine, maybe it would be nice for her to be at home, surrounded by her things. But I mean, it's your call."
"Great. We've got ourselves a plan, then. We'll be waiting for you right here."
"I'll see you tomorrow then. Good night."
"Night."
After hanging up he felt more relaxed, at ease. Before getting into bed he walked over to Gracie's room and watched her as she slept, over the past few days he had found that to be completely soothing. He stepped in the room and kissed the top of her head.
"Sleep tight muffin." He whispered even though he knew she wouldn't hear him.
Falling asleep was hard, there was a lot of turning and tossing as he carefully planned the words he was going to say tomorrow, but the hope of things working out was real. His eyelids started to give in slowly, and the yawning started doing its thing.
He was out.
The next morning found him nervous. Travis had insisted that everything was going to be fine, but he wasn't going to relax until everything was sorted out.
He dropped Gracie off and then waited for his appointment with Mrs. Quinn.
His lawyer was right, he really had nothing to worry about. The school decided to support this process and do everything in its power to make sure Gracie felt safe and loved. Mrs. Quinn knew her staff and even though she didn't say anything to Adam or Travis, she knew Kim was the best one to take on that role.
If Adam was nervous, Kim was on a whole other level. She had said nothing to her principal about this, because she didn't know whether or not that was the best move to make. When Dora from the administration department entered her classroom and told her that Mrs. Quinn was expecting her in her office and that she would stay with the group while Kim was out, she knew that she had screwed up and that she was going to be inside that office for a while.
She took a deep breath standing in front of the wooden door before lightly knocking on it three times.
"Come in." Her boss' voice was calm and sweet, and if Kim's experience in this school could tell her something, it was that Mrs.Quinn's tone meant nothing.
The young brunette turned the knob and stepped in the room. "Kim, please take a seat." She did as she was told while nervously twisting her hands on her lap. "So, Detective Ruzek and his lawyer just left."
"Cathleen, I'm sorry I didn't say anything about this earlier. It was all too fast and I wasn't sure if it would be better to wait until they spoke to you."
"Relax Kim." Cathleen was a very understanding and kind woman, that didn't mean that she couldn't be firm on her convictions. "Yes, maybe I would have liked to hear this from you first. But I also understand the complexity of this whole situation. I just wanted to tell you that I'm proud of you. It takes a big heart to agree to this and I know that's exactly the person you are and the kind of teacher you are to your students."
"But…" Kim knew there was more to her boss' speech than those kind words.
"But I'm worried. Maybe worried is not the word, maybe concerned is the word I'm looking for." Mrs. Quinn put the books that she was tidying down and took a seat on her chair, opposite Kim. "I know you've been doing great lately, but Kim you've been through a lot and I don't want this to be a step back for you." Kim sighed when she heard that, because deep down she was a bit worried too.
"I appreciate your concern, but I think this will be good. I feel like I'm doing something that matters, that can actually impact someone's life positively."
"Ok. I understand that. You do know that you make that impact every day when you walk into your classroom, right?"
"I know, but this is different."
"I completely agree with you there. I called you in my office because I wanted you to know you have my full support, the whole school backs you up. Nevertheless, you will be watched. Parents will watch and comment about this and you need to be prepared because you know how rumors are." Kim listened attentively and nodded, she knew this conversation was for her best interest and it was nice to know that she had someone backing her up. "Mind if I ask you a question?"
"Sure, tell me."
"What's your relationship with detective Ruzek?" Anyone could expect that question coming. Kim didn't and it took her by surprise.
"Um… we're friends I guess." She answered as honestly as possible. That was true, they were kind of friends, they really hadn't talk about them so that was a safe answer.
"I'm not judging you here. I'm no one to do that. You know I met my husband working. I wasn't his son's teacher, but still, he was part of the school community." Kim's eyes softened when she heard Cathleen's confession. "You can do what you want, it's not against policy, he's not a father here and you're both young and attractive, it would be normal if you two get involved. I just want you to keep in mind that people will be watching and talking, and that your priority should be Grace right now. So, just be careful ok?" Cathleen stood up and walked next to Kim to squeeze her shoulder. "And if you need anything, these doors will always be open."
"Thank you so much. I will be careful and I'll keep you informed about the whole situation."
"Sounds great. Now go back to your kids and tell Dora I need her here."
Kim nodded and stepped out. She felt like a huge weight was now lifted off her shoulders. She was scared about this new beginning, but her heart told her that she'd made the right decision.
Just as she was about to walk in her classroom her phone buzzed.
Meeting went great! Can't wait to tell you about it. Is it ok if I pick you up for lunch?
Adam sounded excited even by text.
Sure! I'll see you in a while.
Her response was short and sweet. She wanted to see him and she wanted to talk.
Of course she was teased by Brett when they were getting ready to eat and Kim told her friend that Adam was picking her up, but the brunette didn't care, she was looking forward to her lunch date.
"Kim." Sylvie's voice made her stop. Adam was already parked outside waiting for her.
"What?"
"I know you need to talk about the meeting and all of that, but I hope you find the chance to talk about Friday. I think it's time you share your feelings with him, especially now." Her facial expression was soft, Kim knew this advice was really coming from the bottom of her friend's heart and she really listened to it. He had been honest with her, it was time she did the same. Telling him her story will also keep him out of the shadows.