Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Chastened, and amused by it, Brodan gave Ellen a militant nod, laughter on his lips. At that moment, I didn’t find anything about him charming. He was an immature man-child, and I was beginning to think I’d made a lucky escape when he abandoned me all those years ago.
Half an hour later, more flirting was exchanged, but at least we were getting somewhere with the children. However, when I asked Lewis to stand in a certain place, he ignored me. I had to repeat myself, and Brodan’s gaze narrowed on his nephew as Lewis pretended not to hear me.
Patience thinning, I hardened my voice. “Lewis, please respond when spoken to.”
He looked at me, shifting on his feet, hesitating.
“Lewis,” Brodan warned.
Lewis gave his uncle a confused look but followed my instructions. Irritation thrummed through me, and I had to stop myself from spearing Brodan with angry eyes. Didn’t he realize he was the reason Lewis was acting up? He watched his uncle like a hawk, and what he saw was Brodan disrespecting me at every turn. So, clearly, he’d deduced there was a good reason.
While the children were preoccupied, I strode toward Brodan and stood directly in front of him so he couldn’t dismiss me. His gaze flickered over my face before dancing above my head.
“Mr. Adair, I’d like a word in private, please.”
“I’m busy.”
“A word in private. Now.”
He sighed heavily but nodded and followed me to the other side of the gymnasium. Still, Brodan wouldn’t look at me, his attention on the kids. I saw Ava watching us curiously. Poor girl. She had no idea she was being toyed with.
“Two things, and they’re both about your professionalism. I’m sure you’ve had to work with other actors who you didn’t like very much, just as I’m sure that you sucked it up and were a professional. This is no different, Brodan. Lewis watches your every move, and he’s learning from you.”
His head snapped toward me. “If Lewis doesn’t like you, that’s not my problem.”
Anger swelled in my throat, almost choking me. “Lewis and I got on wonderfully before you arrived, and you know it.”
“I know nothing.”
Was he always this obnoxious?
Brodan’s expression tightened at whatever he saw in my gaze. “Anything else, Ms. Sinclair, or may I return to my duties?”
I stiffened at the disdain in his voice. “Yes. Stop flirting with our music teacher. First, she’s barely out of school, and second, it’s highly inappropriate in front of the children, and the only person who’ll end up looking bad is Ava. So stop.”
His expression remained flat, unemotional. “I can flirt with whoever the fuck I feel like flirting with. You, however, should really do a better job of hiding your jealousy.”
“Jealous?” I scoffed, hating him at that moment. “Sorry to deflate your ego, Adair, but immature, obnoxious man-children don’t really do it for me.”
Brodan’s eyes narrowed. “Or maybe you’re just jealous because Ava’s a young woman in her prime, and you’re a middle-aged spinster.”
I stared at him as if I’d never seen him before—because I hadn’t. Whoever had returned to Ardnoch, it wasn’t my childhood friend.
Noting my reaction, the muscle in Brodan’s jaw ticked and then he hissed out, “Fuck,” and marched away from me.
Hot tears built behind my eyes, and I turned away, pressing my forefinger and thumb to my nose to stem them. I hate him, I decided. I truly hated him.
“Ms. Sinclair, are you all right?”
I jumped a little at the sound of my head teacher’s voice and blinked back the tears as I turned to her with a bright smile. “Ms. Cooley, what brings you here?”
Anita searched my face, concern evident. “I thought I’d drop by and see how rehearsal is going.” She repeated, “Are you all right?”
“A bit of a headache,” I lied. “I was just taking a moment.”
“If you’re certain.” Anita turned toward the children. “I’ll observe from here. I don’t want to distract them.” Her gaze moved to Brodan, who was back at the piano, chatting with Ava. “It’s all very exciting, isn’t it?”
However, it wasn’t long before Anita’s excitement died in lieu of disapproval. Brodan had returned to flirting with Ava at every opportunity, and while rehearsals were moving along, I could see Anita’s irritation building.
And unfortunately, just as I knew would happen, her annoyance was not directed at Brodan.
Finally, with a huff, Anita strode across the gymnasium. As much as Ava’s unprofessionalism peeved me, I worried about her as Anita led the young teacher from the room. I moved toward the children as Ellen had Callie repeat some lines she was struggling with. Ava returned a few minutes later, eyes downcast, cheeks bright red … and she wouldn’t even look at Brodan.
Aye, she had been well and truly chastened.
Brodan spoke to her, and she just gave him a tight nod without looking at him. He frowned and moved away to direct the kids.