Page 17 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

I blow out a breath.Here goes, about to unload on a total stranger.“When you were a kid did you have your dream job planned out and you never wavered on it, even after finishing school?”

He smirks. “Nope.”

A smile tugs at my mouth. “Yeah, me either.”Will that shock him?

Jerry lays his closest arm over the back of the chair and tilts his head, a spark in his eyes. “What did you dream about?”

I laugh and look up at the swaying branches above as if I’m afraid to see the honesty in his gaze. “So many things. Nothing ever stuck.”

“What about teaching? That wasn’t your dream?” Jerry rubs his chin.

“No, but it’s something I promised to give everything to, so I have to learn to swallow challenging days like today.”

Apart from touching on it with Nat today, I haven’t really talked to anyone else about this. I don’t want to burden Aunt Jean with this stuff when she has enough to deal with. Besides, I want her to think I’m solid, that I’m moving ahead now, not dwelling on the past. How is it I’m comfortable sharing this with Jerry? I barely know him.

“Yeah, well if it makes you feel any better, you won’t find anyone else in this town who has as many unfinished apprenticeships.”

He was a lost soul, too, when it came to the direction of his life?

“It’s not easy for some to find their path.”

His rounded shoulders bounce up and down. “Fencin’ is a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, so I can’t complain.”

He’s right. There are so many people out there working to support themselves. We can’t all get to do what we dream of. Then there’s those who can’t get a job. It’d be so hard being in that situation.

The wind in the trees picks up around us, and an empty juice box cartwheels across the yard like a tumbleweed.

“Listen,” Jerry breaks the silence. “I’m just gonna come out and ask. You maybe wanna do something tonight? Grab a bite? The Central café’s pretty alright.”

Is Jerry asking me out?

My mouth grows dry and my heart beats faster. What do I wear? Is this a date?

Wait.A heaviness settles in my stomach.

Does he think it’ll end up in a one-nighter like he had with Paula?

“Sorry, I promised a friend I’d do something tonight.” Maybe it’s for the best I have plans.

He lifts his shirt at the neck and makes an exaggerated sniff sound. “Yeah, I get it. I need a shower.” He tugs his lower lip between his teeth as mischief dances in his eyes.Could he be more adorable?

I nudge his shoulder with mine. “I’m not brushing you off.”Not exactly. This stuff with Paula has thrown me for a loop.Besides that, who knows how long I’ll be in Sugarloaf. The job is only until the end of the year, and at this rate, if they were to advertise it permanently, the odds of being successful with my experience are slim. One thing in my favour is that small towns struggle to attract teachers to stay on, as most seek the city or coastal life.

He stands and clears his throat. “That’s cool.”

I reach up and slip my hand into his. He grips it tight. Jerry has been nothing but kind, and I don’t want to hurt his feelings. “Maybe another time, yeah?”

Is he the player Paula makes him out to be, or is that because she didn’t get her way? There’s a vulnerability there. Apart from the night of the bonfire, Jerry has been shy. Reserved.

He winks. “Sure thing, teach.”

As he walks away, a part of me wishes I didn’t have plans.

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