Unexpected Attraction

by Stella MacLean

  A sudden wave of protectiveness rose through her at Shannon’s words. “Shannon, why didn’t you tell me about Stuart, about your plan to meet him?”

  “I was afraid that you’d be angry. I didn’t want to upset you.”

  In that moment Andrea saw clearly how her anger had caused her daughter unnecessary pain. Whatever it took, she would learn to control her anger. “But I would have helped you.”

  “After you were done yelling at me, or before?” Shannon asked.

  “Shannon!”

  “Be honest, Mom. You would have been angry, and I couldn’t face that with so much going on. When we met them Wednesday night to talk, we felt we had no choice. But they were as mean to Kyle as they were to me. We should have known we couldn’t change their minds.”

  “You could have been hurt,” Andrea said. “You left yourselves vulnerable by going to meet them alone.”

  Jake spoke up. “Bullying doesn’t go away on its own. Bullies are cowards who prey on people they believe are more vulnerable, people who won’t fight back. We’re going to put a stop to this. We’ll go to the police if necessary.”

  “What if we tell the school or the police and the bullying gets worse?” Shannon asked.

  “Stuart threatened to come after us if we told anyone,” Kyle said.

  “I’m afraid,” Shannon said, wrapping her arms around herself and sinking into the cushions.

  Her daughter looked so fragile. Andrea stroked her hair, remembering when Shannon was a little girl and would come to her with her childhood problems, seeking her mother’s help with whatever had upset her. Problems that now seemed so small. “Shannon, we’ll work this out. You and Kyle will not be hurt again by this.”

  “Mom, it’s okay. I should have trusted you. Now I’ve dragged everyone into this mess.”

  Shannon’s troubled gaze broke Andrea’s heart. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t easier to talk to. I should have been more willing to listen.”

  She had no idea how Scott would react when he learned the truth. But for her, whatever the future held, not listening to Shannon would never happen again. She wouldn’t let it.

  “I appreciate all the concern, but I don’t see where the school or the police can help,” Kyle said. “You don’t know Stuart. I think the teachers are afraid of him and his family.”

  “Jake, isn’t there a program of zero tolerance at the high school?” At his nod, she looked at Shannon. “We’ll all speak to the principal and insist the administration take action. These bullies have to be stopped. There could be other students involved. You may not be the only victims.”

  “I’m not a victim,” Shannon said, her tone forceful.

  “Yes, you are,” Jake said, sitting across from Shannon. “You are a victim of bullying, and it won’t stop until it’s forced to stop. That means getting others involved and taking action.”

  Shannon chewed her lip in concentration. “That reminds me of something. There was a girl in my class who was dating Stuart, and she stopped coming to school last year just before exams in June. She’d been complaining that her stomach hurt and she couldn’t concentrate. I heard the other day that she is going to a private school out of state. Maybe he was threatening her, too.”

  “It’s possible. Regardless of whether anyone else is involved, we will make this stop. You will not have your school years ruined by these people. That’s final,” Jake said.

  “Shannon, I agree with Jake. We need to do something.”

  “I’m done at school if people find out that I’m gay and I can be bullied,” Shannon muttered.

  “There’s always Mrs. Chapman, our guidance counselor. She’s cool—all the kids like her. Maybe we can meet with her quietly without the whole school finding out,” Kyle said, frowning.

  “We’ll go with you,” Andrea and Jake said in unison.

  Shannon sat up straight. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. What about this? Why don’t Kyle and I go first and see what Mrs. Chapman says?”

  Seeing the worried expression on Shannon’s face, Andrea squeezed her hand. “I’m sure the school is prepared to handle this sort of situation. If not, we will find a solution on our own.”

  “Like what?” Shannon asked.

  Andrea exchanged glances with Jake. “I might have to consider private schooling. I’ll talk to your father if needed.”

  “Definitely not, Mom,” Shannon said emphatically. “Dad can’t know about this. He would be upset with me, and after the last time we talked...”

  How well Andrea remembered that awkward phone call...not to mention the scathing one she’d received today. “Okay. We won’t tell your dad, but we are going to take action. You’re my daughter, and this has to stop.”

  Shannon smiled. “Mom on the warpath.”

  “You haven’t seen anything yet,” Andrea said, trying to lighten the mood. “Okay, we’ll go along with your plan to talk to Mrs. Chapman.”

  The relief on Shannon’s face was palpable.

  “Maybe it’s time we all got some rest,” Andrea said.

  Minutes later Andrea walked out to the car with Jake. “Thank you.”

  He unlocked the door, turned to her and pulled her gently into his arms. “You’re welcome,” he said, kissing her.

  She moved into his embrace, her head spinning with emotion—elation and gratitude in equal measure.

  His hands moved soothingly over her back, his forehead pressed to hers. “You’re not alone, Andrea. I’m here.”

  “I wish you could stay,” she whispered, the strength of his body, the easy way he held her, both frightening and reassuring her.

  “I will some night soon. But you need to be with Shannon.”

  He understood in a way no one ever had before. As he eased away from her, she slid her hand into his. “Promise me?”

  “I promise.”

  A few hours later, unable to sleep, Andrea got up and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. The clock on the stove glowed 3:00 a.m. Her mind wouldn’t stop replaying the evening and what Shannon had to have gone through these past weeks.

  Although she’d been very clear that something had to be done, Andrea wasn’t sure what the best approach would be. Leaning against the counter, she drank slowly, focused on tomorrow and what it might bring. She needed at least a couple of hours’ sleep if she was going to be able to go to work.

  She put the glass in the dishwasher and checked to make sure her cell phone was plugged in. On the way to her room, she heard Shannon sobbing as she spoke urgently to someone. Her heart lurched in her chest, fear rising. She eased the door open. “Shannon, what is it, sweetie?”

  Shannon was curled up on her bed, clutching the phone to her ear, the stain of tears darkening the pillow under her head. “I gotta go.” She ended the call and tucked the phone under her pillow.

  “Shannon, why are you on your phone at this hour?”

  “I was checking with Kyle about something,” she mumbled.

  “Are you all right?” Why did she ask such a dumb question? Of course she wasn’t all right. Moving to sit on the bed, she gently tucked the comforter around Shannon’s shoulders, smoothing the fabric over her bony shoulders, an old habit from the days when she would crawl into bed with her daughter to help her get to sleep. “What can I do?”

  “Everything’s a mess.” Andrea scooped Kermit the Frog off the shelf over her head and tucked him next to her, a gesture so familiar, so much a part of Shannon’s childhood. How much about her daughter had changed, and yet how much had remained the same?

  “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

  Shannon stared at the wall as Andrea tucked a long strand of blond hair behind her daughter’s ear, willing Shannon to share what was bothering her.

  “I just got a really nasty text message.”
/>
  “Who would do that, and at this hour?”

  “I’d left my phone on because Kyle was going to call me so I could get up early to study. I’m not certain who sent the text, as I didn’t recognize the number, but it had to be someone at school.”

  “What did it say?”

  “I—I can’t tell you.”

  “Shannon, I need to know what’s going on. Did you save the message? Who sent it?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Yes, it does. This can’t be allowed to go on.”

  “Mom, please, you don’t understand what it’s like at school for Kyle and me.”

  Her heart ached for Shannon, for her fear and loneliness. “How long have you been getting these text messages?”

  “For a while.”

  Anger rose through Andrea at the thought her daughter had to face cyberbullying in addition to the incidents at school. Where were their parents in all this? Didn’t they know their kids were on their cell phones doing things like this?

  But she hadn’t known that Shannon was on her cell phone tonight. She’d assumed Shannon was asleep. “I wish I’d known about this.”

  “And what would you do?” Shannon asked, her eyes stark.

  “I don’t know, but I wouldn’t let you face it alone. Why don’t I go with you to talk to the counselor at school?”

  “Mom, Kyle and I are going to see Mrs. Chapman. Give us a chance, will you?”

  “No, not if this is going to continue. The school needs to know just how far this bullying has gone.”

  “Don’t you know how embarrassing that would be for me? To have you follow me to school?”

  “I want to be sure we get this straightened out before it gets any worse. Shannon, this is really serious.”

  Shannon’s gaze shifted from Kermit to Andrea. “Are you saying you don’t trust me to meet with the guidance counselor?”

  “No, of course not. I’m only trying to get some sort of resolution to the problem before you get hurt again.”

  “You’ll only make things worse if you show up at the school. Let Kyle and me talk to Mrs. Chapman tomorrow. I’m sure she’ll help us. If she doesn’t, then we’ll do whatever you and Jake want us to do.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  THE NEXT DAY, Andrea regretted that she hadn’t insisted on going with Shannon to meet with Melody. Andrea had watched Shannon leave with Kyle and wished she could protect her from whatever happened today. After they left, she’d gone in to work, but her anxiety and sleep deprivation from the night before had made her useless, so she’d come home early.

  She’d spent the past hour cleaning the counters and scrubbing the kitchen floor to keep busy. Surely Shannon would call as soon as the meeting ended.

  The doorbell rang, making her jump. She scrambled to answer the door. “Jake,” she breathed in relief. His wide shoulders and warm smile were a welcome sight.

  “How are you doing?” he asked, pulling her into his arms, the solidness of his body steadying her.

  “I’m okay. I just wish they’d call or get back here or something,” she said.

  “They will,” he said, his voice reassuring her.

  “Would you like a cup of coffee?” she asked as he followed her to the kitchen.

  “Will it help to calm your nerves?” he asked.

  “Probably not.”

  “You need to be doing something, is that it?” he asked, glancing around the newly scrubbed space, a wry grin on his face.

  She liked the intimacy of that look, the way it said he knew her well. “I clean house when I’m worried.”

  “So that would mean you’ve got the cleanest house on the block,” he replied, stepping out of the way as she filled the coffeepot with water. “You don’t have to make coffee. We could simply sit and talk until they get home.”

  He was being so kind, so thoughtful, exactly what she needed in the circumstances. “I’d like that—”

  “Mom,” Shannon called out as she and Kyle burst through the back door.

  Andrea nearly dropped the coffeepot as she raced to her. “Are you all right?” she asked. The sight of tears on Shannon’s cheeks wounded her. She wrapped Shannon in a warm hug. “I’m so glad you’re home. Jake’s here. We’re about to have coffee.”

  “In the middle of the afternoon? Were you that worried?”

  Shannon and Kyle sat at the table and Kyle started talking. “Chloe wouldn’t come with us to see Mrs. Chapman. We asked her to, but she refused.”

  “Why did you need her?” Andrea asked.

  “We thought she might support us when we explained everything.” Shannon made a dismissive gesture as if to say Chloe’s refusal wasn’t a big deal, but Andrea knew otherwise.

  “Chloe thinks Stuart isn’t a bad guy. She didn’t believe us when we told her about Wednesday night on Lower Water Street,” Kyle said.

  “She’s dating him, that’s why,” Shannon said quietly.

  Andrea reached across the table and took her hand. “What happened with Mrs. Chapman?”

  “I told her about Stuart and Eric Sanford, about the fall, that they were both there and about trying to talk to Stuart on Wednesday night. Mrs. Chapman...she seemed surprised.” Tears slid quietly over Shannon’s cheeks as she spoke.

  She swallowed, swiped at her cheeks and continued. “She said that Eric had never been in any kind of trouble that she knew of. I thought she didn’t believe me. Especially when she wanted to know if there were any other witnesses.”

  “And you said?” Andrea asked, trying so hard to control her anger.

  “That Chloe wasn’t willing to step forward and tell what was going on.”

  “Did Mrs. Chapman say anything to show she supported you? She certainly didn’t hesitate to tell me what she thought where you were concerned.”

  Shannon touched her mother’s arm. “She was helpful in the end, Mom. It just took a little time to get her to understand what was going on. When I told her I’m being bullied because I’m gay, she said that the school would get to the facts and that I’m to tell her if there are any other incidents. In the meantime she would meet with the principal with her findings.” Shannon shrugged. “At least that part is over. I guess we have to wait and see. It was pretty awful, having to tell her everything. I wouldn’t have gotten through it without Kyle’s support.” She smiled at him. “He was awesome.”

  “Shannon, honey, I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. It’s so unfair.”

  Shannon stared at her hands. “Mom, what if Stuart doesn’t stop?”

  “Did Mrs. Chapman say anything else?” Jake asked as he sat next to Andrea.

  “No, not really,” Kyle answered, a frown on his face.

  The wariness in Shannon’s eyes broke Andrea’s heart. “Shannon, one way or the other, this is going to stop. I will go to the principal or the school board if I have to. In the meantime, I’m driving you to school and picking you up.”

  “No, Kyle has promised to drive me to school and back. I don’t want Stuart and Eric to see you dropping me off. They will know I’m scared and that you’re scared. It will only make things worse.”

  Jake squeezed Andrea’s hand. “Shannon’s right, Andrea. I know you’re worried, but the school now knows what’s going on. Stuart and Eric will be called in and made aware of the accusations against them.”

  “And then what?” Andrea demanded.

  “Andrea, please try to stay calm. I’ll contact Mrs. Chapman to follow up. There won’t be any more incidents if I can help it. And if there are, we’ll deal with it. In the meantime, Shannon needs to get on with her school life.”

  Shannon jumped up and went to hug Jake. “You’re awesome.” She glanced over at Andrea. “I’ve got a lot of homework to do to catch up. I’d bett
er get at it.”

  “Don’t you want something to eat?”

  “I’m not really hungry—maybe later. We’ll work in my room and give you and Jake a little space.” Before Andrea could react, Shannon went to her room, Kyle trailing along behind her.

  Andrea scarcely wanted to acknowledge the hurt she felt, because it seemed so petty, so unfair to both Shannon and Jake. Yet Andrea had been the one, worried and anxious, waiting for news about the meeting. And Shannon had hugged and thanked Jake. He was the one she’d said was awesome. Andrea needed to be hugged by her daughter, to feel that Shannon cared. She knew Shannon loved her, but it still made her feel left out and a little resentful.

  “Andrea, are you okay?”

  Could she tell him how Shannon’s behavior made her feel? Could she trust him not to belittle her feelings or accuse her of being selfish? She forced the memories of Scott away and took a chance. “I feel awful.”

  “Why?” Jake asked gently.

  “Because I want so much for Shannon. I do everything I can for her, and yet—” she looked into his wonderful warm eyes “—and yet she hugged you, called you awesome.”

  “And you’re hurt,” he murmured, touching the nape of her neck.

  She nodded, unable to trust her voice.

  “Andrea, you have every right to feel the way you’re feeling. But I don’t know if you should place so much emphasis on her hugging me. Sometimes children take their parents for granted.”

  “Do you think she was upset when I got angry?”

  “What parent wouldn’t feel angry when their child is being threatened?”

  “That’s not how you felt a few weeks ago,” she reminded him.

  “That’s because I know you better now, and I care about you. Shannon’s upset. You’re upset. This is a very stressful situation.” He put his arm around her. “You’ll get through this, and then you and Shannon can talk about how all this made you feel.” He kissed her, his lips lingering on her mouth, driving her crazy with need.