“What a jerk.” Ava’s tune changed as she took a mouthful of muffin.
“I thought so too. But he happened to be a friend of Toby’s and volunteered his time to teach the kids music and donated a truck load of the best quality instruments I’ve ever seen.”
“What a sweetheart,” Lauren said, then sipped her coffee.
“That sure won me over,” Jade had to admit.
“And now you’re having sex with a hot rock star.” Ava placed a hand on her heart. “I’m so proud. And then he’ll take you on tour, and you’ll be the envy of every woman in the world.”
Jade leaned back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. “When he leaves Brimland Point I’m not going with him. This is only temporary.”
Her heart squeezed at the thought of him leaving. But she knew it would happen, and she would be okay, because they were only having fun. Nothing more.
Before her friends could drill her with more questions, she sat up. “I need to get ready for work, but I don’t know how to get past those vultures.”
Ava rubbed her belly and grinned. “Leave it to me.”
Chapter 17
Jade didn’t have to worry about the journalists pointing their cameras directly in her face when they left the house. When Ava had clutched her belly, screaming at the top of her lungs that she needed to get to the hospital because her water had broken, they parted like the Red Sea, letting them pass. Jade hoped when the real time came, Ava wasn’t so vocal. But for now, it was perfect.
They bundled Ava in the backseat, Jade jumped in the passenger seat, and Lauren took the wheel. Tires squealing as they drove away from the house like they were being chased by the hounds from hell.
When they got to school, another media camp was positioned in front of the gates. “Drive into the teacher’s parking lot, and I’ll get out there,” Jade instructed.
“Maybe you should take the day off,” Lauren suggested as she pulled into a spot.
Jade shook her head. “I won’t let them stop me from doing my job. Thanks for the lift.” She got out of the car and hurried into the building.
The first place she stopped was Toby’s office. She needed to warn him about the reporters. He was on the phone when she entered the room.
“No, I’m not available now or anytime in the future to discuss my teacher.” Toby rolled his eyes at Jade as she took a seat. Well, he’d already heard the news. “You can bribe me with whatever you like. Our school is well-equipped, we have everything we need. I’m not allowing you on school property, and if I see you, I’ll be calling the police. Have a nice day.” With that, he hung up, blew out a breath, and slumped in the chair.
“We could’ve used new computers,” Jade joked.
Toby pinched the bridge of his nose. “That’s the fifth call I’ve gotten this morning.” His gaze lifted to the clock on the wall. “And it’s not even eight-thirty.”
“New computers, sports equipment, art supplies, sunshades for the playgrounds. We’re good with musical instruments.” She smirked.
“Jade, this isn’t funny.” Toby frowned.
No, it wasn’t, but it was either joke about it or curl into a ball and wait until it passed. “I’m sorry.”
“This is Nate’s fault. He should have stayed away from you. Now I have to deal with journalists wanting information about my teacher.”
Her eyebrows drew together. “This won’t affect my job, will it?”
“No, but I’m sure there’ll be parents complaining. I’ll deal with them, but you’ll need to keep a low profile.”
She sighed with relief.
“No playground duty for a few days. The media may not be allowed to set foot in the school, but they can still photograph you from the street. And try not to get any more scantily dressed photos on the internet again.”
“Scantily dressed…since when do you talk like an eighty-year-old man?”
He pointed at the door. “Get to work.”
* * * *