Chapter 48

Megan

Wednesday morning wasn't as stilted as Tuesday. It was still a little awkward, but the tension was no longer palpable. I threw up again before we left the cabin.

I caught myself staring at Sam that afternoon in class. I knew he knew I was staring, but he just let me after a quick glance in my direction to be sure I was okay. I stared to the point where I was jerked from my reverie to sudden mortification when Mrs. Oliver called on me.

"Megan, I'd like to see you for a minute after class."

I had no idea what she had said prior to her calling my name. My face flamed, and I nodded then quickly ducked my head back to my open textbook and my forgotten notebook. Sam squeezed my knee under the table, and I felt all the embarrassment and confusion bubble up again.

"I'll meet you in the hallway," Sam whispered as the bell rang. I nodded again and gathered my books before trudging to the front of the room where Mrs. Oliver waited by her desk. Her face was concerned as she stood and leaned a hip against her desk.

"Megan, I'm sorry if I embarrassed you calling your name out. You were looking pretty dazed, and that's not like you. I wanted to be sure you're okay. I know you and Sam have been dating…and you guys appear serious. Really serious. Please don't take this the wrong way, but does your grandpa know how serious you two are?"

I looked into the concerned eyes of my teacher and couldn't help the snort that escaped. I wasn't trying to be irreverent or disrespectful. If it had been anyone besides Mrs. Oliver, I would have been tempted to roll my eyes and head to my next class, but I knew Mrs. Oliver genuinely cared.

"You seem to be so aware of each other. The way people do when they've been married for years and know each other's habits and routines. But you don't look very happy today. And you spent half the class staring at Sam. Everything okay? Did something happen?"

My lips curved up in spite of my world galloping toward a black hole of crazy. "Mrs. Oliver, I appreciate that you're concerned. I do. Sam and I are dating. We're working through some things. Nothing like that has happened. And yes, my grandpa knows. He's actually encouraging me to date Sam."

Her eyebrows were still trying to meet, but the rest of her face relaxed. "All right. I'm glad about that. If you need to talk, I'm available." She nodded.

"Thanks, Mrs. Oliver. It's nice to know you're looking out for me." And it was. I meant it. She had no idea what was going on, but it was nice that she noticed and cared enough to ask. And it was interesting that Sam and I reminded her of an old married couple…

Sam smiled sadly when I exited the classroom. He took my hand and steered me toward my last class of the day. I knew he'd heard everything Mrs. Oliver had said, and he was giving me space to comment or let it go. The ball was in my court.

The ball was entirely in my court.