Words Left Unsaid by Missy Johnson Page A

she’s on the verge of tears.
    That doesn’t help me much now, does it?
     
    The rest of my day didn’t go much better. I have so much to do that I don’t know where to start. I call Grant to cancel our drinking plans for the evening. As awesome as relaxing with a few drinks sounds, I need to get onto finding these replacements.
    “Hey,” I say when he answers. “I’m going to have to cancel our plans. I’ve had the day from hell.”
    “That’s fine, man. Anything I can do?” he asks.
    “Unless you can pull a teacher from out of your ass, no,” I say, my voice dry.
    “Dude,” Grant begins slowly. “You do realize Kiara is qualified to teach? And she’s also looking for work.”
    “Are you kidding me?” I laugh. “How did I not know this?”
    “Maybe you didn’t ask the right questions?” he jokes. “No, she got pregnant with Tilly, then the accident happened…” He shrugs. “She fell into a job and never got out.” Grant pauses for a second. “Give her a call. Ellie said she was looking into applying for some teaching roles.”
    “Maybe I will,” I murmur. The more I think about it, the more I love the idea. It doesn’t change my workload because I’ve still got to advertise and interview others for the job, but being able to help Kiara out would be amazing. “I gotta go. Thanks for the information.
     
    Later, at home, after I’ve written and uploaded the teaching positions, I call Kiara.
    “Hey,” she answers. I swear I can hear a smile in her voice. Or maybe I’m just imagining things.
    “Hey yourself,” I reply, laying out on the sofa. Lance jumps on top of me, demanding attention. I pat him roughly. Even the cat strolls over for a pat. “So, I was thinking we might be able to help each other out with something.”
    “Really? What?” she says, an edge of suspicion in her voice.
    “I’m down two teachers and I hear you’re looking for work,” I say, getting straight to the point. “I want you to apply. You’d have to sit an interview, but I really think you’d be suited to one of the roles.”
    “Me?” she laughs. “I mean, I have been looking into teaching, but I’m sure you can get someone with much more experience…”
    “Experience isn’t everything,” I remind her. “You’re great with kids, and you love art.”
    “It’s teaching art?” she asks, her voice strained.
    “Yes,” I reply, knowing I have her. “Let me send you through the links to the application. See what you think. No pressure, but this could be great for both of us, okay?”
    “Okay,” she agrees. “No promises, but I’ll take a look.”
    “Good. Now,” I say, my heart beating a little faster as I prepare to ask her something completely off topic. “What would you say to a movie Saturday night? Just as friends, of course.”
    She hesitates. “Okay. Just as friends.”
    “Good. I’ll see what’s on and text you. Any preference? At least I know you prefer horror over romance,” I tease.
    She laughs. “Okay, how about I pick the movie? I’ll let you know what time. If you can handle that.”
    “I manage six hundred kids everyday,” I joke. “I can handle anything.”

Chapter Twelve
    Kiara
    Ellie glares at me from across the table, her fingers snaked around her mug. It’s just after noon on Tuesday, and after dropping Tilly off at school and then running some errands, I’m getting my daily fix of my sister.
    “Seriously, you need a job and he’s practically handing it to you on a platter. What’s your problem?” she asks, frustrated.
    “I’m not sure I can handle working there,” I mutter, even though I know I don’t have much of a choice. My small amount of savings is almost gone. If I don’t find something soon, I’ll have to ask my parents for help—something I don’t want to do.
    “Why not?” Ellie presses. “Is it Max?”
    Of course it is . I pause, trying to get the words right in my mind. I don’t know how to say what I’m feeling without sounding