Chapter 24 Later that evening, Ryan noticed Debbys smile for the first time in days as Damien regaled her with tales from school.
And then Mr.
Hayes said I was so fast, I could be in the Olympics! Damien said, puffing out his chest.
Ryans ears perked up at the name.
Mr.
Hayes? Yeah, Damien replied.
Hes awesome.
He helps with the reading club, too.
He even gave Debby his favorite book to borrow.
Ryans jaw tightened, but he kept his tone even.
Sounds like hes pretty involved.
He is! Damien said enthusiastically.
Hes the best teacher ever.
*** At the school, Amelia had begun looking forward to her conversations with James Hayes.
After-school programs had provided ample opportunity for them to cross paths, and his calm, approachable demeanor made her feel at ease.
One afternoon, James caught her on her way out, holding a small stack of books in his hands.
Amelia, he called, his smile warm.
I was hoping to catch you.
Debby asked to borrow these, and I wanted to make sure you were okay with it.
Amelia glanced at the titlesbrightly illustrated chapter books about adventure and mystery.
She smiled.
Shes going to devour these.
Thank you.
James chuckled.
She reminds me of my daughter at that age.
Always had her nose in a book.
Your daughter? Amelia asked, curious.
James nodded, his expression softening.
Shes fifteen now.
A bit of a handful but a good kid.
Being a single parent has its challenges, but its worth it.
Amelia hesitated, feeling a pang of understanding.
Its not easy.
But, like you said, worth it.
Their conversation lingered, stretching into topics about school programs, parenting woes, and shared moments of exhaustion.
Amelia found herself laughing at his stories, the kind of unguarded laughter she hadnt experienced in years.
You know, James said thoughtfully, its clear how much you care about your kids.
Theyre lucky to have you.

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Amelia felt a blush rise to her cheeks and quickly brushed it off.
Well, they make it easy most of the time.
James smiled, sensing her modesty but appreciating her sincerity.
If you ever need someone to talk toparent to parentIm always around.
*** Ryan noticed the change almost immediately.
When Amelia arrived at his house that evening, she was lighter somehow, her posture less rigid, her smile more frequent.
But his mood soured when Damien enthusiastically told her about the day.
Mom! Mr.
Hayes showed me how to do this cool trick shot in soccer today! Damien exclaimed, bouncing on his heels.
Amelia beamed at her son, her expression soft.
Thats great, honey.
Did you thank him? Of course! Damien said, his face glowing with pride.
Ryan stood in the corner, his arms crossed.
Whos this Mr.
Hayes again? he asked, his tone carefully neutral.
Hes Debbys reading club teacher, Amelia replied, not missing the tension in Ryans voice.
And apparently, a soccer coach now too, Ryan muttered under his breath.
Damien, oblivious to the shift, continued to gush about James.
Hes the best, Dad! He even told me hed come watch one of my games! Ryan forced a tight smile.
Sounds like hes taking a lot of interest.
Amelias eyes narrowed slightly.
Hes a good teacher, Ryan.
The kids like him.
Thats all.
Ryan let the conversation drop, but the tension between them lingered.
As he watched Amelia leave later that evening, he couldnt shake the nagging feeling that James Hayes was becoming more than just a teacher in her life.
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