“Everly has never had issues before.”
“And neither has Chastity.”
Mr. Beeson explained as much, but yet here we are. Her daughter is harassing mine when she’s been through hell.
“My point is,” I continue, “this is the last thing that she needs. With losing all she has, we really hoped that this would be a safe place for her.”
Teagan runs her fingers through her long blond hair and sits in the chair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but we’ve lived here forever and not once has Chastity ever been in any trouble. She’s kind, honest, hardworking…in fact, she works with your dad.”
“I heard.”
My father sang the girl’s praises for an hour over the phone. He said how she’s the polar opposite of Teagan as a kid. And yet, here I am because on day two in the new school, she’s harassing my daughter.
“I’m sorry, but this is crazy, Mr. Beeson. Again, Chastity isn’t a bully. In fact, she said yesterday that she was being bullied by Everly. So, what now? Why is she the only one in trouble?”
The sad part is, I don’t doubt that Everly was bullying Teagan’s daughter. She’s the opposite of me as a kid, but not so different from her mother. Meghan was popular, beautiful, smart, and adored—like Teagan.
Mr. Beeson takes his seat and motions for both of us to sit, but I remain on my feet. “It seems that while you two may have been friends a million moons ago, they haven’t taken to each other quite yet. Chastity did explain that Everly was making fun of her for…her parentage. I only heard Chastity’s rebuttal.”
“Just like us,” I say with a huff. “We didn’t like each other in the beginning.” Flashes of the past fill my head. The way Teagan and I could barely speak to each other…seems our children are following in our footsteps.
“So.” Teagan crosses her arms over her chest, leaning back in the chair, clearly ignoring my comment. “We’re going to punish Chastity for defending herself? I thought you were always an advocate of standing up for yourself.”
“Why don’t you hear what your perfect daughter said to mine, and then maybe your tone will change?”
There are lines that no one should ever cross. Whether Everly started it or not, there are only so many things my kid can handle, and this isn’t one.
Teagan glares at me. “Why don’t we hear the entire story, Derek?”
“Sure.” I mimic her posture, only standing.
“Okay,” Mr. Beeson says while clearing his throat. “According to Chastity, she was at lunch and Everly started making fun of her regarding you.” He looks at Teagan.
“Her?” I ask.
He nods in response. “Yes, I’m paraphrasing here, but she said something about…at least not having a slut for a mother who couldn’t even trap her boyfriend right. Something about her not being smart enough.”
Teagan gasps and my stomach drops. “How…where…where would she even have heard something like that?” I ask.
This is crazy. Everly doesn’t know anything about Teagan.
“Probably from her father,” Teagan suggests.
“I’ve never said anything negative about you. I sure as hell wouldn’t say anything like that!”
The fact that she thinks I’m even capable of thinking that way is ridiculous. I was there. I saw how that entire pregnancy went down. There was no trapping. Hell, she didn’t even fucking like Keith by the time she was pregnant. I still think there’s more to that story than she ever let on. Our friendship ended for other reasons, but I never would’ve said anything about her like that.
“It seems she learned it somewhere,” Teagan says while shaking her head.
“Regardless of what Everly said, which I will definitely deal with, that didn’t give your daughter the right to say what she did.”
“What did Chastity say?”
I brace myself to contain my anger. Everly doesn’t deserve to be put through any more pain—she’s had enough of that in the last six months. I have to control myself and remember these are kids.
Mr. Beeson shifts, looking uncomfortable. “Chastity said her mother may be all those things, but at least she didn’t have to die to get away from her.”
Hearing it again is no better.
Teagan gets to her feet. “I don’t…I don’t understand.” Her eyes meet mine, filled with confusion. “Die? Meghan is dead?”
I don’t know how she could possibly have not heard. This town hasn’t changed in twenty years, and everyone talks. “You mean to tell me you didn’t hear? I had at least four people stop me on my way into school, not to mention the five who brought food to my mother’s since we arrived.”
Her lips part and she keeps shaking her head in quick movements. “I didn’t know…I swear.”
Teagan’s hand covers her mouth and tears form in her eyes. She didn’t like Meghan, and Meghan sure as hell hated Teagan. No matter what the two of them tried to feed me in the beginning. But seeing this girl, who I once loved more than anything, grieving over the woman who destroyed that love, makes the emotions I’ve smothered come back to life.
My heart aches, my chest tightens, and I suddenly, for the first time since Meghan’s death, want someone to comfort me.
Of course it would be Teagan that is my undoing.
“How? Why didn’t you call me? God, why didn’t anyone tell me? I would’ve come, Derek. I would’ve, even though we…I would’ve been there.”
When the tear falls down her cheek, I break.
For the first time in six months, it all hits me.
Chapter Six
Teagan
Nineteen years old
“I met someone,” Derek says as we’re sitting at our monthly dinner.
I try so hard to look happy but I hate it. “You met someone?”
“Yeah, she’s great. I met her in my econ class.”
“Well, that’s great, Der.” I pop a fry into my mouth to keep from scowling.
It’s not great. I hate her and I don’t even know her name. Regardless, she’s not good enough for him. He’s the best and he doesn’t even see it.
Gone is the goofy kid who I couldn’t even imagine ever kissing two years ago. Now stands a very, very attractive man. He’s filled out in all the right places, found the gym, and he’s still the same sweet Derek I love.
Love.
God, I’m so stupid. I have to try to get this under control because loving him is the dumbest thing I could do…but yet I do.
I love him so much it hurts. Every month I have to remind myself that he’s my best friend, not some guy to lust over.
Plus, he doesn’t see me that way. He never has.
“I think I’m in love with her.”
My drink goes flying out of my mouth.
“Jesus, Teagan!” he complains as he wipes his face.
“Sorry, but love? How long have you guys been together?”
He sets the napkin down. “Six months.”
“Six months?” I shout. “And you’re just telling me now?”