Page 12 of The Run Home
“Shae’s a dynamite with the kids,” a man said on my left.
I turned, startled to see him there when I hadn’t heard him walk up. He wore a plaid shirt and wrinkled khaki pants. A comb-over was already happening but he didn’t look past mid-thirties. He stuck out his hand and we shook.
“I’m Steve Smith-Tartle, English teacher. And a big fan of yours. Break laws, break records!” His volume increased on the official Texas Outlaws slogan, garnering attention from the other teachers still in the break room.
Before I could escape, several of them shifted closer, surrounding me with back pats, congratulations, and even a few requests for autographs. By the time I left, I had invitations to after-school drinks on Friday at Gin/Tan/Laundry and a barbecue at Principal Joseph’s house on Saturday.
Second period was my first health class. I went over the syllabus that had been handed to me before I hit the break room this morning. Apparently the previous health teacher had moved out of town when her husband got transferred and subs had been covering ever since. Giggles from the teen girls accompanied most of the lesson. The guys rolled their eyes and tried to act cool but failed miserably, especially when they realized we’d be talking about reproductive health. I had a moment of panic when my eyes drifted over the sex educationtalk I’d be giving next month. I was wholly unqualified to teach that topic, especially the part about preventing pregnancy. Kinsley was living proof that I hadn’t done a thorough job in that department.
By the time lunch rolled around, I was exhausted and seriously wondering if I’d bitten off more than I could chew. I had enough money to just retire and do nothing. Why had I agreed to teach and coach at the high school back in my hometown? Dad, before his death, had only mandated I come home to Blueball, not work at the school.
But I’d have to figure that out later. Right now, I needed to do something for my daughter, something I should have thought of before, if I hadn’t had my own life issues on the forefront of my brain. The same teen I’d driven to school who’d said not one single word to me all morning. Ignoring the teachers lifting a hand and waving me to their table in the break room, I made a beeline for Shae. She had a square glass container in front of her with what looked like a salad. Lydia was next to her and saw me first. My shadow fell across the table and Shae’s fork clattered into her container as she looked up and saw me.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked in my most serious tone.
Shae’s glasses were pushed to the top of her head, making her look adorable. If I didn’t already know her personality flaws, that is.
“You can speak.”
I refrained from rolling my eyes at her haughty tone. I took the seat across from her. Lydia cocked her head to the side, but I ignored her for now. Principal Joseph had told me this morning when I asked about the volleyball team that Shae was the one to speak to.
“I want Kinsley to try out for the volleyball team.”
Shae’s mouth puckered, a default expression around me, it seemed. “Can’t do it. We already started our season and the roster is set.”
I leaned over the table, my arms outstretched, my fingertips nearly touching her salad. That started out wrong. I needed to soften my approach.
“She’s played since middle school. She loves the sport, but she didn’t even mention having to leave her team. Her mom called me last night and filled me in on all the tears that were shed.” I swallowed hard, not wanting to show anything even hinting at weakness in front of this woman who clearly hated me, but I needed her help. I needed to be a good dad to my daughter before it was too late.
“I think it would really help her assimilate here if she was on the team. Please, Shae. I’m begging you.”
Her eyebrows lifted and I had actual fear growing in my chest at the way her eyes lit up over me begging her. “What’s it worth to you?” she practically purred.
God, I really fuckin’ hated her right now. Then I thought of Kinsley having to leave her team, crying her eyes out, and despising me so much she didn’t even tell me about it.
“It’s worth everything,” I replied, meaning every word. “I’m not saying give her a spot. I’m just asking you to give her a fair chance to earn a spot on the team. I’ll owe you, Shae. Anything you want.”
Lydia sucked in a breath, but Shae didn’t move a muscle. She and I had a staring contest that went far better than the one with the goat. Goddamn, she was pretty. So stuffy and nerdy and soft. I wanted to bite her neck and smile over the red mark that stained her smooth pale skin. I had no idea why I found her attractive when she was opposite my type, but I did. Shae finally looked away, picking up her fork and pushing around her salad.
“Fine. I’ll give her a fair chance. Tell her to come to the gym as soon as school’s out today.” She lifted her gaze back to me. “And you owe me a favor, big dog. Anything I ask.”
I screwed up my face. “Stop calling me that.”
Shae snorted a laugh that held zero humor. “Why? Does it bother you? All the men lap it up.”
“No, they don’t,” I retorted. A thirty-nine-year-old single woman thought she knew what men liked? Please. That was my wheelhouse, and she had no place in it.
“Watch.” Shae lifted her head, scanned the room, and then raised her voice. “Hey, Johnson!”
A beefy guy in a polo two sizes too small turned his thick neck her direction.
“Looking good with that new weight routine, big dog!” Shae drew out the nickname and added a guttural tone, making it infinitely more stupid-sounding.
Except Mr. Thick Neck grinned ear to ear, shot her double air pistols and winked at her before his cheeks turned ruddy. Shae looked back at me, triumph written all over her smug face.
“See? Men eat it up to inflate their small…” Her gaze dropped, like she was viewing my crotch right through the tabletop. “Egos.”
Damn. That was…savage. I shook my head slowly. Teenage Shae had been a handful, but easily embarrassed. One quick verbal jab and she’d clam up and back down. Grown Shae was turning out to be a worthy opponent in every way.
