Rivals at Love Creek
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Michelle Lindo-Rice
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Chapter One
All it took was one social media post for Shanna Jacobs’s life to become entangled like a ball of twine.
From a young age, she had learned to smile even when she was feeling broken inside. She had carried that lesson with her for her entire thirty-three years and became good at playing the part.
Seated across from Patrick Harrington in one of the black leather chairs in his office, she couldn’t pretend the situation that had brought her here was nothing. She couldn’t pretend it would pass like a Florida thunderstorm.
Not after the superintendent of the Love Creek school district’s words: “I’m sorry, Shanna. This scandal might affect your consideration for the superintendent’s position.”
That meant Lynx Harrington—the principal of Love Creek High and her enemy, of sorts—would become the top candidate. Okay, since she had once fancied herself in love with Lynx when she was a teen, she couldn’t call him her enemy.
Now he was her competition.
Serious competition.
Before Shanna could open her mouth to answer, Patrick continued with, “In fact, your job might be on the line.”
Shanna gripped the chair, glad she was sitting, because her legs felt weak. Patrick’s office boasted two conference rooms, a private bathroom and a large oak desk that had been handcrafted by one of his seven sons. Every time she entered this room, Shanna pictured herself occupying this space, her certificates and diploma on the wall, each of her plants tucked in the corners of the large room.
The past five days had ripped through her life with the savagery of a tornado after Austin Green, a twelfth grader who had graduated with honors, posted on social media that he’d had help on the SATs. From a teacher. Help that had led to his Columbia University acceptance.
“You would fire me?” she sputtered. “Patrick, you know me. You know I’m not involved in this mess.”
“The board already terminated Todd and Mark,” Patrick said, his tone somewhat accusatory.
“You made me hire them,” she said. “They were your choices. Not mine.” Patrick had wanted them because of their coaching background. He’d had plans for their football and basketball teams.
“I’m aware of that. But they were under your leadership. Your guidance. At least, that’s how the board—the nation—sees it.”
She leaned forward and jabbed a finger on the desk. “I can’t be held responsible for the actions of two grown men who were all about winning. That’s how we got into this predicament.”
Austin had bragged in his series of tweets that Todd Smith and Mark Houghton, her assistant principals, had been behind the plan. Then he’d stated he wasn’t the only one who had been provided with answers. His post had gone viral in hours, and the ensuing frenzy was one she would remember for a lifetime. Austin had already been interviewed, along with four other students from the graduating class.
Cheating.
On the SATs.
Three teachers had also been fired two days before Shanna had been summoned to Patrick’s office. She was next. Just thinking about it made her stomach queasy, but Shanna was a fighter.
She pinned her boss with a glare. “Where do you stand? How do you see it?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think.”
“It does to me.”
“I know you’re not involved, but with everything going on, I think it might be best if you resign.”
Resign. Give up. Her chin wobbled, and her eyes welled up. The fact that everything had happened under her watch was unacceptable. Like black ink splattered across a white page, this scandal was a huge slash through her impeccable record and stellar career. All she had done to overcome her broken past would be blotted out, tarnished because of other people’s misdeeds.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Shanna said, jumping to her feet. “Unless you plan to fire me, I’m going back to my office.”
“I’m not firing you,” he said after clearing his throat. “I was hoping you would—”
“Slink away like I’m guilty?” Eyeing a photo of Patrick with his son, Lynx, she lifted her chin. “Not a chance. Finish your investigation. I’m sure at the end of all this, I’ll be vindicated.” Then she would prepare for the most important interview of her career.
He got to his feet, ignoring that the suit jacket on the back of his chair had fallen to the ground. “I’m on your side, Shanna. I’m confident you’ll be cleared, but your reputation is another matter.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, her heart pounding in her chest. “And when this is all over, I will put in for the superintendent position.” After all these years of hard work, she wasn’t about to let her prize go. The finish line was too close. And if she ran away, Lynx would win.
She wasn’t having that.
Patrick shook his head and stuffed his hands into his pants pocket. “I think you’re making a big mistake. I could give you a glowing recommendation, and you can move to another state and salvage your career.”
“Love Creek is my home,” she said, pointing her index finger downward. “I’m not going anywhere. No scandal is going to run me out of this town.”
Patrick clamped his lips. “This isn’t going to get better, Shanna. This scandal is like a sore that’s growing and gathering pus.”
She cocked her head and placed a hand on her hip. “I thought you, more than anyone, would be urging me to fight. Unless...you’re using this to get me out of the way so your son can get the superintendent position. Because we both know I would’ve won.” Shanna couldn’t believe her sass, but she couldn’t say she regretted her bitter words.
His eyes darkened, and his voice held steel. “Since you’re under a lot of stress, I’m going to excuse what you just said. I have supported and mentored both you and Lynx—and quite frankly, I’m appalled that you would hint at any nepotism on my part. The school board conducts the interviews and determines my successor. You know that.”
Properly chastised, Shanna squeaked out an apology before adding, “Within a week, this will be all over. You’ll see.” Her words lacked confidence, and her voice sounded shaky, which she hated.
“I’ll be speaking with the board, and then I’ll be in touch,” Patrick said in a cool, dismissive tone.
All she could do was nod and hurry out of the room. She should not have mentioned Lynx, but it was hard to be around his father and not think of him. Especially since his photo was on display, boasting his lopsided grin, oozing with confidence, heating her blood to dangerous degrees.
Lynx had been the first man to take her heart, then smash it like crystal on concrete. A heart she had placed in his hands. A heart he had crushed because of a lie. If she could help it, Lynx wouldn’t get the chance to get anything that should be hers.
And no scandal was going to keep that from happening.
She would be the next superintendent of Love Creek.
