Page 31 of Hit the Ground
“Really?” Jesse screwed his face up, skeptical. “I mean, I know you can read, but can youread?”
Caleb choked out a laugh. “Yeah, kid, I can read. It’s been a while since I finished a book, but I’m pretty sure I can handle it. Besides, I hear this one is really good.”
Jesse peered at the title, his eyes darting to mine. “He’s reading your favorite book.”
I shot a grin his way. “That’s the rumor. You’ll have to let me know if he actually does.”
He crossed his arms, side-eyeing his dad. “Oh, believe me, I will.”
Caleb ruffled his son’s hair. “All right. Enough making me the butt of your joke. Are you ready to head home?”
“Yep.” Jesse’s brows shot up. “But first, I need to ask Ms. Clark a question.”
I leaned forward, my hands on the desk. “What’s that?”
He glanced at his dad then back at me. “If you’re free Saturday, it would be cool if you came to my competition. It’s in Lander, at the high school. You don’t have to come or anything, but you know, you might like to watch.”
I hesitated, but couldn’t think of a reason why I shouldn’t go. Jesse had been telling me about his team’s robot for months. Seeing it in action would be incredible.
“Yes, I’d like that very much.”
“Cool.” He shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “It starts at ten. You might want to get there around then to get a good seat.”
I tapped my temple. “I’ve got it in the schedule. I’ll be there.”
When he walked back to his table to grab his backpack, Caleb was still watching me, his eyes unreadable as he tucked his book under his arm.
“You don’t have to go. He’ll understand.”
I frowned. “I want to. From what Jesse tells me, his robot’s going to destroy all the others. How could I miss that?”
The corner of his mouth hitched. “When you put it that way, I guess you couldn’t. And don’t worry, I'll keep clear of you.”
“It’s no big deal if you don’t.”
“Right.” He rocked back on his heels, his gaze sliding over my face and neck before returning to meet my eyes. Then his mouth formed the words I’d said before Jesse interrupted us. “Over you.”
“Yeah,” I agreed softly. “Over you.”
He saluted me with my favorite book, then turned to join Jesse, leaving me standing there, confused and a little pissed off. Why was he looking at me like that? Turning up atmylibrary? Asking me questions? Showing more interest in a few days than he had in four years combined?
I’d never know why, and it didn’t matter. I’d moved on.
You’re over him. You’re over him. You’re over him.
I almost believed it.
When I arrived home, there was a potted plant on my porch that hadn’t been there when I’d left. I bent down to examine it, finding a small, folded piece of paper tucked in the leaves. Opening it, I read the neatly scrawled note inside.
Alice,
Hope an apology plant is okay. My grandmother said this kind is easy to take care of and hard to kill. Don’t know if you have a green thumb, so I thought it was a safe bet.
This is a thank-you plant too. I appreciate all you’ve done for Jesse, giving him a safe place to spend time, being a listening ear, encouraging him. Means a lot to me, and Jesse too.
Be good and take care.
