Based on Principal: Fanboys Book 3

by Johnston, Marie

  “Of course I’ll meet with you. You’re her father, but we have a serious situation to deal with first.”

  She probably meant her wedding.

  They disconnected and he slumped in his chair with a sigh. He wasn’t concerned about getting back to the floor. Mara was arranging displays and since Jaycee wasn’t as concerned about her image anymore, she was running the till and helping customers. Going out there to watch her genuinely smile and interact with them was tempting, but he needed a few minutes.

  Last night, he’d had to go home and pretend nothing was unusual, that he hadn’t just mauled Natalia in her office after they’d broken up and argued. Then argued again afterward. He’d burnt their fajitas and loaded the dishwasher but forgotten to turn it on. Jaycee had teased him about getting old and he couldn’t even play it off as a busy day at work because she’d been there.

  He rested his head on the back of his chair and stared at the ceiling. His office was the opposite of Mara’s. Old movie posters decorated three walls and Jaycee’s sketches of the store hung on the fourth wall. The window shade was closed and he let his eyelids drift shut.

  He missed Natalia. Spying on her for five seconds before she’d spotted him hadn’t helped his control yesterday. The play of the lights over the blond highlights in her hair had caught his eye before his gaze had drifted down to her business-wear-clad ass. She’d had the coat off that went with it—and he’d seen her at work enough to know that the suit coat was a layer to hide behind. Without it, the taper of her waist into the rounded flare of her hips was mesmerizing. Then she’d caught him lusting after her and had barely batted an eye.

  But she’d proven she wasn’t immune to him either.

  What the fuck had they done? Two people who couldn’t climb a hill had no business dreaming of mountains—or whatever prophetic words his mom had spewed when he confessed Cierra’s rejection.

  He hadn’t been able to get the mother of his kid to consider marrying him; he wasn’t going to win over Natalia’s family.

  * * *

  “Henry’s on line one,” came Ms. Branson’s crisp voice through the intercom.

  Natalia raised a brow and tore her gaze off the spreadsheet in front of her. Henry must’ve made his call sound critical. New week, new mood had been her motto until Ms. Branson had bypassed their messaging for the intercom. And it was only Monday.

  Her gaze shifted to the ominous phone. Oh, she knew what the call was about. Frederick Wentworth had gone nuclear when she’d told him Dresden was suspended. The entire board had probably heard his case before the weekend. Coach Sammie had turned beet red and blustered his way straight out of her office and likely right onto Henry’s lap to complain about how mean she was.

  “Cheater,” she muttered. She’d counseled Coach Sammie and expressed that she had one hundred percent confidence in her ability to find a qualified coach who’d hold their students to Preston’s standards and not lie for them. She should’ve fired him, but he was tight with the powerful families who communicated through their pocketbooks. Enraging one family was inconvenient, but she’d be a fool to upset the horde.

  She gave the phone one last hard stare and picked it up. “How are you, Henry?”

  “I’ve had better weekends.” His tone didn’t make her hopes rise.

  “I should’ve notified you what might happen when I started disciplinary action on Jaycee Halliwell and Dresden Wentworth.”

  “And Coach Samuelson. Look, I’m not interested in a he-said-she-said, especially when my phone kept ringing with more hes and shes.” She didn’t dare chuckle. Nothing was funny about the situation—but maniacal giggles were fighting to get out. “Based on the claims and accusations, I’m calling an emergency parent meeting tomorrow evening. Six o’clock.”

  She let her eyelids drift shut. Would she walk into a room with gallows and rotten tomatoes? Henry wasn’t interested in excuses. He wasn’t a guy who cared to play intermediary between her and upset parents and faculty.

  Hanging up with him, her stomach roiled. The meeting was going to be a brutal trial filled with accusations and well-aimed targets about her character. And unlike when Lauren PenaltyCall had tripped her and she’d knocked her head on the floor, she would be hurt and alone.

  Chris wasn’t going to be around to support her through this mess.

  Chapter 15

  Natalia pulled on her suit jacket. She lined the cuffs up with her sleeves and straightened the bottom. The meeting started in twenty minutes. Henry had arranged for the gathering to take place in the conference room.

  Her stomach fluttered, harder than last time. She was going to be nauseous by the time the meeting started.

  Earlier in the school year, when she’d first arrived, she’d spoken in an auditorium with hundreds of young faces staring at her as she introduced herself and outlined her mission statement and plans for the school. She’d assured them their days wouldn’t be disrupted as they restructured minor areas of programming and extracurricular activities.

  She had channeled Valaria the whole time.

  For the most part, she’d told the truth. Jaycee’s and Dresden’s actions should’ve only affected themselves, but the staff that had overlooked the boy’s indiscretions had created consequences for the entire student body. What other behavior had been overlooked?

  Gazing into the mirror mounted on her wall, she shoved on her freshly cleaned glasses. Her hair was bound in her preferred bun, and not one strand dared stray from the fastening. The maroon suit she wore was the perfect color—not too bright and cheerful, but not funereal either.

  She’d done nothing wrong.

  Or had she? Her shoulders slumped, matching the fatigue from sleepless nights in her tired eyes. A sense of failure dogged her steps, and it had started when she’d failed miserably at introducing Chris to her parents.

  But her personal life had no place here. She was Ms. Shaw at school, not Natalia Shaw Preston, who clawed at a collapsing slope trying to live up to her parents’ expectations.

  She stared at herself for several more minutes, pondering where she’d gone wrong. Her profession? Her personal life? Growing up acquiescing to her parents’ wishes? All of the above?

  The timer went off on her computer. She spun around and reached over her to desk to shut it off. She planned to arrive ten minutes early.

  It was time to go.

  She left her office and strode out the back door of the main office to get to the conference room. Sneaky like Valaria, or cowardly because walking through the accusing and smug faces of those she dedicated her work to was more than her pride could handle?

  No answer was needed.

  The clicks of her heels echoed on the floor as she approached her destination. Her stomach flipped and she dragged in a ragged breath. Two hours tops and she could go home and drown her sorrows over how it turned out.

  She strode through the door. Dresden’s parents sat next to Coach Sammie on the longest side of the rectangular table. Dresden was flanked by his mother and father. Henry was at one end, speaking to Claudia. Douglas, Guy, and Murdock flanked her other side. Henry tipped his head to a chair next to him. Across from the Wentworths was an older couple she didn’t recognize. Their regal postures and haughty expressions marked them as Preston grads. Nana and Papa?

  Natalia swallowed hard, adopted her stern face, and strutted to the chair.

  Silence descended in the room. The burn of their stares pounded into her. She settled in her chair and dared to lift her gaze.

  She sat on Henry’s right side, lessening the feeling of being on trial. Avoiding their gazes she quickly scanned the room. It was too small to have missed Chris or Jaycee. Neither one was present.

  A figure turned into the doorway, his broad form filling out the opening. He cut a fine form in his charcoal tailored suit, and he would’ve had to tailor it for his size and width. Chris’s borderline shaggy hair was now neatly trimmed, parted on one side and combed across his forehead. His style was p
rofessional, yet contemporary and relevant. He could be walking straight out of a GQ magazine cover into the conference room.

  His gaze lifted to meet hers. The gravity in his eyes told her all she needed to know about how things were going in his life since Jaycee had been expelled.

  But why was he here? To petition for his daughter’s return? Or to help launch an attack on her?

  Hurt wound its way into her heart. Either way, they were adversaries now.

  Two hours and she would be at home in her bed and could cry if she needed to. She dropped her gaze from Chris as he dropped into the chair opposite Henry. He straightened his silver-patterned tie, and god, it was unfair that he’d shown up looking that good.

  Yeah, she’d probably need a good sob.

  Henry muttered, “We’d better start on time.” He cleared his throat and captured everyone’s attention. “Welcome. Thank you all for coming. As you know, meeting the needs of our students as they develop into future leaders is our priority. We’ve gone through a period of changes after we discovered some unsavory behavior from a man we previously trusted with the role of guiding our students and staff, changes that we entrusted to Ms. Shaw to direct. But it’s been brought to our attention this has resulted in conflict and grievous accusations.”

  Heads bobbed in the audience. Natalia snuck a peek at Chris, but his gaze was directed at Henry.

  Henry continued. “Let me say before we get started that the board and I won’t hesitate to dismiss anyone who acts in a less than appropriate manner. What the board wants to hear is serious complaints about the professional decisions Ms. Shaw has made and how you think they have negatively impacted the student body. Please, no interruption from those waiting to talk.”

  Her respect for Henry grew. If he could keep the meeting on track, then maybe she wouldn’t be so figuratively bruised and battered by the time she got home.

  Dresden’s dad leaned across the table, his tweed suit coat stretching over his shoulders. “My son has experienced a personal, targeted attack from Ms. Shaw. He’s had to do detention, now he’s been suspended, and after he’s contributed his time morning and night to bring the Preston Knights another trophy.”

  Natalia was running through ways of addressing the accusations without dragging Dresden and Jaycee’s dirty laundry out in front of people who didn’t know the situation when Claudia grabbed the mic.

  “Would you mind telling us why you feel it’s personal? Ms. Shaw has provided the necessary documentation and proof that her actions were warranted.”

  Mr. Wentworth’s upper lip curled and his dark gaze pierced her. “Because she’s dating the father of the girl she said Dresden allegedly skipped with.”

  Ice crystals formed in Natalia’s veins. Had he really waved her personal life around? She didn’t have to wonder how he knew. Jaycee must’ve either let it slip or she had gleefully spread the news after the breakup.

  The heads of all five members of the board swiveled to face Natalia. She looked down the length of the table, her gaze steady. Show no fear. It might be one of Valaria’s mottos, but it worked here. Pretend she’d done nothing wrong even if she felt differently.

  It was time for her to intervene. “Like Claudia said, I documented the reasons behind my decisions for your son’s disciplinary measures, and while I won’t go into specifics about another student, I will add that the girl you referenced also faced consequences for her role in the tardiness and skipping.”

  Mr. Wentworth’s cheeks deepened to a red, highlighting the main problem in Natalia’s opinion. The man wasn’t told no very often. Between his bank account, his size, the consulting company he owned, and even the solid dose of charm guys like him were born with, he was a man people wanted to please.

  The woman Natalia suspected was Nana lifted her hand almost like she was going to do a Miss America wave.

  Henry lifted his chin to her. Mr. Wentworth eased back into his chair, but they weren’t done hearing from him. His body language was too tense and his wife was shooting him “fix this” daggers in her gaze.

  Nana’s hand went to her chest. She wore a crisp lilac pantsuit with a taupe shawl draped across her neck, and her no-nonsense expression said she could probably go toe to toe with Mr. Wentworth if they weren’t on the same side.

  “That girl,” the woman said, her voice firmer than she looked, “is my granddaughter, who was expelled after my granddaughter’s father broke up with Ms. Shaw.” Venom dripped from Natalia’s name.

  Natalia’s face burned. Her personal life was getting thrown around and the meeting was going worse than she’d imagined.

  A stifled sigh escaped Henry and she could almost hear him mentally yelling, “You could’ve warned me.”

  On the bright side, she only had to experience the humiliation of the big reveal of her privacy once.

  “The two are exclusive,” Natalia said. Truly, one didn’t have to do with the other. “Ms. Richards?” The woman nodded. “I can also provide proper documentation and evidence that would back up my decision, along with citing the relevant Preston Academy policies regarding student punishments. However, I can only discuss school-related material with you. Anything regarding the student in question can only be discussed with her guardian, which to my knowledge is not you.”

  Ms. Richards recoiled. The hit was below the belt and Natalia knew it, but she got enough shit from parents and guardians. Entitled grandparents were not on her list of people she had to put up with. She chanced a glance at Chris.

  His eyes had closed and his mouth was flat. Damn. She’d made it worse for him.

  Mr. Richards put an arm around his wife. His graying hair was smartly styled like Chris’s, but he won the most casually dressed award in the room. The man would blend well on a golf course with his gray slacks and white polo.

  “We paid Jaycee’s tuition. We’re invested in her education—she’s a third-generation Preston student. While we may not be her official guardians yet, we are heavily invested in her education.”

  Natalia winced. Chris cut a glare in the direction of the Richards. How could a good dad lose his daughter?

  Henry took the mic. “When the paperwork is official, we’ll be happy to discuss your granddaughter’s return with you.”

  Natalia’s eyes widened and she swiveled her head to look at Henry. Chris was in the room and these people were talking about his daughter’s future like he was insignificant. None of them knew Jaycee like her own father.

  Henry had her documentation of the incidents, but he didn’t know Jaycee. Coming back here would be a move backward for her development. She might mentally shut down, act out again, maybe let another boy use her emotions to his benefit.

  Claudia blinked at Henry, her gaze shifting to Chris. Murdock did the same. They didn’t know the lack of power Chris faced. Maybe they assumed he was giving up on his daughter like her mom had.

  Henry returned her stunned gaze with a hard stare. He wasn’t her ally. He wasn’t Jaycee’s either. The big picture for the academy was his focus, and the Richards were regular donors.

  Chris’s voice caught her attention. He was sitting straight, his hands folded on the table, looking like he ruled the boardroom. She could envision him on a poster that wouldn’t have to say “vote for me.” Because she’d want to anyway based off the picture he presented.

  “Two days after Jaycee was kicked out”—he briefly met her gaze, then looked each board member in the eyes—“she started at the high school in our school district. The transition hasn’t been easy, but her excitement and optimism every day has been enough to tell me we’re on the right track. No matter what her mother and I decide, I don’t think Jaycee returning to Preston is in her best interest.”

  Mr. Richards’s face flushed red. “You’re coming to Ms. Shaw’s defense even now?”

  “I’m here for Jaycee.”

  Mrs. Richards’s words were low, but they carried across the room. “Not when we’re done with you. A comic book shop owner is no
t raising our granddaughter.”

  Natalia’s back hit her chair. They were going to yank a girl from her father because of this fucking school? A place that made no apologies for failing her? Jaycee couldn’t even leave now that she’d refused to conform to Preston’s mentality.

  Perhaps Jaycee still had a way out.

  Natalia had never gotten the opportunity to attend a different school. All along, she’d kept her private life and her personal one strictly separate. Why? She wanted to have a life, period. But she’d been trained like one of her parents’ staff to do their bidding, to think pleasing them equated with love and acceptance. All of it done under the guise of professionalism and leadership.

  Natalia spoke before she could think about what she was doing. “You’re right. I did let my relationship with Mr. Halliwell affect how I treated Jaycee.” Mrs. Richards’s eyes narrowed like she was looking for the catch. “Instead of suspending her and sending her out of my office, per Preston policy, I did something I don’t normally do with students—I listened.”

  A faint smile graced Chris’s mouth, giving her the motivation to keep going.

  “And you see, I think that’s what this school has been failing at. I think that’s the root cause of the problems that prompt someone like me to come here in the first place.”

  Coach Samuelson snorted. “Aren’t you here because you’re the owner’s daughter?”

  The room went silent.

  “I’m here because my father wanted me to take over for him, and I’ve kept my ties to the school quiet because I knew any progress I made would be undermined by being ‘just the boss’s daughter.’ Of course, any mistakes would result in the same accusations. Kinda like how dating Chris was tossed into this discussion.”

  “For good reason,” Mr. Wentworth said. “But I don’t see what that has to do with letting the kids run the place.”

  Chris jumped in before she could. “Listening to kids and letting them have free rein are two different things. Jaycee wasn’t happy here and Natalia asked her why.”