Butterfly by Michaela Grey

Author:Michaela Grey [Grey, Michaela]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2021-01-06T03:00:00+00:00

* * *

He was only a few minutes late for work, which meant he was still thirty minutes ahead of the earliest students, but he was distracted and in a rush, juggling his charts and papers as he hurried down the hallway and nearly collided with Wren at the corner. She was carrying a huge bag over her shoulder and she stumbled backward, just barely avoiding running into him.

“Sorry, sorry,” Fisher said, balancing his armload to dig for his keys.

“Everything okay?”

“Just running late,” Fisher told her, and managed to get the door unlocked. “Whatcha got there?”

Wren hefted the bag. “Hockey sticks and some gear.”

“Right, I forgot that you were gonna bring that. I should warn you that the school’s likely going to decline the request to start an official program. Funds are tight.”

Wren’s face fell briefly but she squared her shoulders. “If they won’t do it, I’ll buy the equipment myself. I’ll—I’ll get donations from teams, used gear, things like that.”

“That’s the spirit!” Fisher said, setting his papers on the desk.

“I thought I’d see how many are interested and go from there.” Wren’s eyes were bright and she was almost bouncing on her toes. “I think it’ll be a great way to help them get some exercise and also learn to use their bodies and brains.”

“Well, Maxine’s brother plays, she’ll probably be interested if we can get her mother’s permission.”

They were discussing the logistics of how to spin it so Maxine could participate when someone knocked on the door.

A shiver went down Fisher’s spine when he saw Calum standing there, Max clinging to his leg.

“Hi Max!” Wren said cheerfully. “Wanna help me sort the hockey equipment?”

Max gasped. “Are we playing hockey, Miss Wren?” He let go of his father and rushed to Wren’s side.

Calum joined Fisher on the other side of the room. “Max loves hockey. Does the school have a program?”

“Wren’s trying to gauge interest in getting one started. She’s very passionate, she’ll be great at it.” Calum was standing a little too close, and Fisher took a discreet step away under the guise of reaching for a pen on his desk.

“I’ll be happy to sponsor it,” Calum said, and Fisher dropped the pen.

“You—oh, you don’t have to do that—”

Calum shrugged, hands in his pockets. “Like I said, Max loves the sport. And it’s a good tax write-off.”

It felt like a trap, but Fisher couldn’t figure out a way to turn it down. The school wasn’t that well-off financially. They’d be more than willing to accept the gift, and it would mean Wren would get her program.

“Thank you,” Fisher said reluctantly.

“I’ll stop and speak to the dean on my way out,” Calum said. “Have you thought any more about what we talked about?”

Fisher glanced at Wren and Max, absorbed in animated discussion. “I—look, I’m flattered.”

Calum’s brow lowered and he opened his mouth.

“I’m not saying no,” Fisher said hurriedly, hating himself and the man standing in front of him more with every word. “But I don’t know you. And I need time to get to know you a little better before I give you an answer.

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