Page 44 of Alpha Varsity

Again–not an option.

Andy:

Kidding, babe. I’ll see what I can do.

Then,

You see what you can do, too

followed by a bikini emoji.

Not cool. Ugh. Did he not read the part about me seeing someone? What an asshole. Well, I was stupid to pin any hopes on help from him. I should’ve figured he was just after sex.

I text Olive instead.

Hey remember when you offered to visit galleries with me?

She responds immediately.

Absolutely!

Pack sticks together.My eyes smart a little with the relief of having someone on my side. The contrast of her friendship compared with Andy is marked.

Me:

Really? When would be a good time for you?

Olive:

Wednesday nights the galleries stay open late for Art Walk. We could grab dinner and make some visits.

Me:

Perfect! Does this coming Wednesday work for you?

Olive:

Yep. It’s in my calendar.

Awesome.

I send kiss emojis to Olive and head out the door right on time. I climb in my Mini–the one my parents bought for my sixteenth birthday that they refused to let me sell to pay for college tuition.

A motorcycle cuts me off as I try to turn into the staff parking lot and then pulls into the spot by the art room. My spot.

I know before his helmet comes off who’s driving.

I find another place to park, grab my sandwich, and walk toward him. As I walk, I slide the key to my casita off thekey ring.

The same familiar dread at seeing him is still there, but in equal or larger part is excitement.

Heat.

Desire.

“You should watch where you’re going, Ms. James. You almost ran into me.” His wicked smirk brings out his two deep dimples. He leans against the Ducati, arms folded over his massive chest.

I raise my voice in case any other teacher or student is around. “That’s a staff parking spot, Asher. Move the bike.”

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