If You Love Me by Helena Hunting & H Hunting

Author:Helena Hunting & H Hunting [Hunting, Helena & Hunting, H]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ink & Cupcake Inc
Published: 2025-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 25

LEXI

My desk is covered in paper, my whiteboard looks like my brain exploded all over it, and Fee’s school just called asking me to pick her up, because she’s been suspended. Today has been a clusterfuck.

I save all my work and make sure it’s on the cloud. At least it’s not a game day, or I’d be totally screwed. I slide my phone and laptop into my bag, pull my door closed behind me. “It’ll be fine, just explain the situation. He has kids, he’ll understand,” I mutter to myself as I walk down the hall to Vander Zee’s office. My stomach flipflops anyway. I hate that I don’t have the strategy plan finished, but I’ve been agonizing over it for three hours, hung up on the little details. Second-guessing every decision. Not wanting to disappoint Vander Zee, or the team.

I knock on his door, and he calls me in. “You ready to talk through your plan? I didn’t see it come through my email yet.”

“I’m almost there, just a few pieces to iron out, but Fee has an emergency at school, and I need to pick her up. I know we’re supposed to meet before I leave to discuss it, but I might need to send it from home later tonight, if I can’t make it back here.”

He nods. “That’s fine. As long as I can look it over tonight, we can meet in the morning to talk it through. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Everything’s fine,” I lie.

He narrows his eyes, obviously questioning the truth of my statement. “Let me know if you need help with anything.”

“Will do. Thanks. And I’m sorry about this.”

“No problem.”

I rush down the hall and wait impatiently for the elevator.

And of course, because today isn’t hard enough, I run right into Roman when the doors finally open. He’s not alone, though. Donnie also steps out. In the months since I’ve been here, he hasn’t warmed up to me in the slightest. Thankfully our interactions are limited and I’m meticulous about logging the equipment.

“Hey.” Roman’s eyes light up for a moment before his brow furrows. “Are you okay, Le—Coach Forrester?”

I force a smile. “I’m fine. Just a minor school emergency.” I brush by him and step into the elevator, glancing at Donnie, who seems far too interested in this interaction. Or maybe I’m being paranoid. “Have a good afternoon.” I punch the close-door button, cutting off Roman’s concerned expression.

Dred knowing is one thing, but if someone in the office finds out, I’ll be in so much trouble.

I don’t have time to worry about that, though, not with whatever is going on with Fee. It’s well past the end of the school day by the time I arrive. At least Callie takes a bus directly to hockey practice, so she’s fine for now. I’m escorted into the principal’s office to have a conversation about Fee’s recent concerning behavior, and the resulting five-day suspension.

Not for the first time, I question whether I can handle this, if I’m equipped to be my sisters’ guardian, if all I’ll do is mess them up.

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