Page 34 of Faking Summer
"Listen, this weekend, stretch—a lot," I said, eyes locking onto hers. "And come back with those jumps you've been practicing. That's all I want you to focus on."
A smooth voice with a hint of mockery intruded from behind me. "Giving homework on the first day, are we?”
I spun around on my heel, and there was Reese, leaning against the doorframe like he owned it. He wore his casual arrogance effortlessly, his sleeveless shirt showing off his broad shoulders and the curves of his biceps. Everything about him seemed dark—his hair that was a tousled mess, his sun-kissed skin—everything except for those vivid green eyes. They locked onto me, bright and knowing, making it impossible to look away from.
And seriously, why did he have to look like some rebel sculpted for the sole purpose of testing my self-control? I hated how he owned the room so easily, with that effortless charm dripping fromhis lips like sweet, deadly poison. I could smell his delicious scent from where I stood, and he looked every bit the man too handsome for his own good.
"It's not homework. Just something to practice," I said firmly. "You of all people should know—practice makes perfect."
"And here I thought perfection was unattainable," he drawled.
"Only to those who don't practice enough," I shot back.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Lola's approving nod. "I like her," she declared to Reese.
I turned to Lola, with a satisfied smile. "Don't forget to keep those toes pointed. Good job today."
"Will do!" she chirped before slinging her dance bag over her shoulder and skipping towards the door. "Gonna refill my water bottle before we go," she called back to Reese, her ponytail bouncing with each step as she disappeared into the hallway.
Reese pushed off from the door frame as he rubbed his chin. "Weird," he mused, "didn't think you'd win over Lo already."
"Guess it just means she's a good judge of character," I replied.
"I don't know about that," he spoke, then paused, his eyes cutting to me with a sharp, assessing look as he inched closer. "Will I see you at Gin & Jerry’s tonight?"
"Guess so," I said, starting to roll up the cheer mat.
"And for the record," his voice was smooth as silk, "you didn’t look too bad in my jersey."
I smirked, not even glancing up. "I’d look good in any jersey."
His tone dropped as he helped me carry the rolled up mat to the side of the room. "Nah," he murmured, tilting his head just enough to catch my eye. "Only mine."
"You and that oversized ego of yours," I shot back.
"I never leave home without it," he said, a grin spreading across his face. "And do you always bring that with you?"
"Bring what with me?" I snapped, already annoyed.
"The lettuce stuck in your teeth," he replied, his grin widening with pure amusement.
A flush of embarrassment crept up my neck, staining my skin a rosy shade of mortification. "Oh my god, what?" I turned as I stumbled toward the mirror, which reflected back the truth.
Fuck my life.I grimaced. There it was, the bitch ass intruder sticking out like a weed in the white picket fence of my teeth. I had a salad at lunch. How had I gotten through three lessons oblivious to the giant leaf wedged between my teeth? My cheeks flamed with the thought of all the eyes—students, co-workers. Had they noticed? And out of all people, of course Reese would be the one to point it out.
"I’ll save your little friend a seat at the bar," he snickered.
"You're such a jerk!" The words escaped before I could stop them, filled with defensiveness and embarrassment. But he didn't even glance back, that cocky grin never wavering as he disappeared from view.
A few hours later, the bar's door swung open, cheers erupted, reverberating against the walls and filling the bar with energy. The Blue Devils, still riding the high of their epic championship win, entered the room to an eruption of applause, the excitement following them wherever they went. I watched from my corner as whistles pierced through the drone and hands slapped backs as they made their way to the bar.
"Wild, isn't it? We just have to get through the Bayside Ball and then we’re all done with anything Blue Devils.” Sam spoke up through all the cheers.
I turned to her, still unsure of how to tell her about the situation I found myself in with Reese, because I wasn’t going to be completely done with the Blue Devils after the ball. I had a little bit more of an attachment to one of them. "Really wild.”
So what are your plans after summer?" Sam asked, leaning in closer.
"I'm not sure," I admitted, my gaze drifting to Reese who was signing championship hats. "I love being an instructor. There's just something about the excitement on someone's face after they'veworked so hard—about watching how far they come. It brings me so much happiness."
