Only You (Adair Family #5)(32)

Fuck.

I had not been expecting that.

But looking down at his cute wee face, eyes begging me to say yes, I couldn’t say no. Directing small kids in a musical didn’t exactly sound like an ideal job for the next few months, but I would get to spend more time with Lewis. Maybe make up some lost time.

“Before you answer,” Thane interjected, and there was that wary look on his face again. “Remember that Ms. Sinclair is Lewis’s teacher.”

Fuuuuuuuuucccccck.

Oh, hell no.

There was no way in fucking hell I was spending weeks with that woman.

Shit.

I stared at Lewis, trying to think of gentle words to let the wee man down.

“He’ll do it,” Walker announced decidedly from across the table.

I glowered at him. Repeat that, and I will eviscerate you.

The bastard didn’t even flinch. He just took another bite of his fajita.

“Will you, Uncle Brodan?”

“Look, Lewis—”

Walker cleared his throat loudly, and I turned back to the motherfucker. He held my stony gaze as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, “Two words: Black. Shadow.”

And he was supposed to be my friend.

What a prick. I silently promised retribution. But with the word fuck reverberating in my head, I turned to my nephew and acted my arse off as I promised enthusiastically, “I’ll do it.”





12





Monroe





Usually, an early-morning walk on Ardnoch Beach would wash away a dreadful night or shitty morning, but enjoying the golden sands was now relegated to afternoons. It was too dark in the morning during autumn as it was still twilight when I left for work, so I arrived at school in as rubbish a mood as when I’d awoken.

Not that I woke up exactly, considering I’d barely slept a wink. The first thing I did was order an electric fireplace from the internet. Arran had warned me autumn and winter in the caravan would be freezing. Last night was Baltic, and I’d worn layers before sliding under my duvet. Come winter, I could see myself wearing a hat and gloves to bloody bed.

I wish I could say it was just the cold that had kept me awake, but my mind wouldn’t shut down either.

In fact, I was currently staring at the cause of my insomnia.

Colm, our young school receptionist, had seconds ago led Brodan into the gymnasium where I waited with Ellen, David, and the children. Ellen and David hurried over to greet Brodan while I held back, feeling like a deer trapped in headlights.

Pain swamped me as I watched him greet my colleagues with the famous smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes. He had a short beard, the scruff sexy on him. In a navy peacoat, light gray sweater, fitted dark jeans, and dark shoes, he was effortlessly stylish. He was beautiful beyond bearing, and his clothes were expensive. Everything about him screamed unattainable.

Factor in our previous encounter, I was pretty certain I was the last person on earth Brodan Adair would ever save from a burning building, never mind actually find attractive.

I allowed the pain of our history and my feelings to linger for a second, and then I conjured up my own hurt and hatred toward Brodan. I’d been determined to let it go, to put the past behind us, but if he wanted to revel in his disdain for me, then I’d happily return the favor.

Shrugging on those negative feelings like armor, I turned away to survey the children, my gaze moving toward Lewis. He sat forward from his spot on the gym floor, attention trained on his uncle. There was no denying the hero worship on Lewis’s face. I could only hope Brodan was a good uncle and worth it. But then, he had to be if he’d agreed to this.

Today was Brodan’s first day meeting the kids at the school as acting director for our Christmas musical.

When Lewis told us Brodan had agreed to direct, I’d wanted to vomit. Why on earth would Brodan agree to this? Didn’t he have a Hollywood film to run off and make? Didn’t he realize I was Lewis’s teacher? Just the thought of having to spend two mornings a week with him for the next six weeks sent me into a downward spiral.

I pulled myself together enough to ask Ellen to be a liaison to Brodan. If Ellen thought it was strange that I didn’t want to be the liaison, considering Lewis was my pupil, my colleague didn’t say a word. She was too busy being ecstatic that she got to be Brodan’s go-to person at the school. Ellen and David had met with Brodan prior to today to discuss the script and songbook. I’d used my caretaking duties for Mum as my excuse not to be in attendance for the meeting.

Of course, the news overjoyed Anita. She hoped for some social media gold because of Brodan’s presence. The teachers of the lower school were not so happy. They grumbled about us using outside help. However, Anita reminded them they could use someone else to direct as well. Still, I didn’t think it was our using outside help as much as it was us using a famous Hollywood actor as said outside help. If it were up to me, it wouldn’t be happening, but apparently, I had very little control over my life at the moment.

At least, that’s the way it felt sometimes.

We’d been given a schedule for when we could use the gymnasium. The back wall of the gym folded away to reveal our large cafeteria, which would become the seating area for the audience on show night. The gymnasium was also a stage and backstage area and a great place to rehearse. Ellen, David, and I had gathered the children there to wait for Brodan.