Always In: The Shore Series Book 2 by M.R. Joseph Read Free Book Online Page B

finishes his spiel and I’m with Willow, this tea I’m drinking is not helping with the four hours of sleep I got last night. My phone buzzes and it's Craw. I glance down at his text:
    Wills text me. beers @ barns 4pm.
    I look over at Willow with the phone still in my hand and flash the text from Craw to her. She shrugs her shoulders. She's so damn sneaky. Just when I thought Principal Sanders was done, he continues. Putting away my phone and rummaging through my bag for something for my headache that’s suddenly come on, I hear him begin to introduce the new staff.
    "And now I would like to introduce our new 7th Grade Science teacher. Please help me in welcoming to Grayson-Elders, Mr. Daniel Mathewson."
    I suddenly feel a sharp elbow to my rib. "Holy shitballs. Will you look at that?"
    "Ouch, Willow. What the hell!" I look up after she eyeballs me.
    I can't really see too well because it's so dark in here. I squint and I see what she's elbowing me about.
    Tall.
    Really tall.
    Dark blond from what I can see.
    Wearing a dress shirt with a tie and a vest.
    Okay. So?
    I turn to Willow. "Yea, and?"
    "Jeez what is your vagina on hiatus or something? He's fucking hot, Harlow."
    I’m still squinting. I find my glasses and stick them on for a better look.
    Yes, he's handsome and looks young and sophisticated.
    Then he speaks.
    In an accent.
    A British accent.
    Willow's tongue half hangs out of her mouth, I have to practically shut it for her.
    "Good morning. Thank you so much for having me. I’m very excited to start the new school year. It's quite different than the school where I previously taught at in England, so...well, just thank you all and I look forward to teaching here at Grayson-Elders."
    I drop my tea and it spills all over my dress. I hop up and some kind of horrifying sound comes from my mouth. Everyone around me turns to look as I try and soak up what I spilled with a few napkins Willow hands me. As I try my best to get a hold of the situation, that’s when I hear Principal Sanders say my name.
    Fuck me.
    "Ah, well since she's standing up already and she was next on my agenda to address, everyone, let's give a round of applause to Ms. Harlow Hannum." Everyone starts clapping and thankfully they have no idea what I just did. This damn place is too dark anyway.
    I give a shy smile and a wave and sit my embarrassed ass down as quickly as I can.
    Willow leans over in my ear. "Nice job there, coma head. And I thought I'd be the one having to change my panties after hearing that guy talk." She winks at me and I cover my eyes. Principal Sanders continues to speak.
    "Late last spring, Ms. Hannum gave us quite a scare as most of you know and we are all so glad she is back with us, healthy and happy. Welcome back Ms. Hannum."
    The faculty smile at me and I just want to go hide under a bridge somewhere. Good Lord, help me.
    When the meeting is done and everyone is excused to go set up their classrooms, Willow helps me maneuver my crutches through the aisle and down toward the hallway. When we get to my classroom and I take a seat in my chair, she slams the door and she looks like she's about to pass out.
    "Oh. My. God. Did you see that shit? Did you get a good look at that guy? Did you hear him speak?" I just go about my business, unpacking a box and taking inventory of what's inside my desk.
    "Harlow, you are just going to sit there and not say anything about that guy? What in the hell has gotten into you lately? Wait...I can answer that. Nothing! Your hymen has probably grown back and now you're a twenty-four-year-old virgin."
    "Oh, good Lord, Willow. He's a guy. So what? Yes, he looked handsome. We see good-looking guys all the time. What's the big deal?"
    She walks to my desk and leans her hands on the edges of it and gets down near my face.
    "What's the big deal? I'll tell you what the big deal is. That guy is a certifiable panty dropper." She walks away toward the window and I sit back in my chair. Oh, my Willow is the