Page 62 of One Week Wingman

“Tell me you were a cheerleader, and I’ll die a happy man.”

I can’t help but smile. “No, I was hiding under the bleachers at every game, writing angsty song lyrics and feeling misunderstood.”

“Ally Sheedy inThe Breakfast Club, sexy,” Seb says, pulling me closer. “Maybe we can reenact it. I’ll be the hunky football player…”

“Roxy!” My mom’s yell interrupts us. “Can you grab Phil’s donut cushion? You know the benches wreak havoc with his hemorrhoids!”

I giggle, and duck out of Seb’s arms. “Real sexy,” I tease. “I’m already turned on.”

“You say that now,” Seb tells me with a wink. “But I love a challenge.”

We driveover to the high school, and meet Mom and Phil in the parking lot, equipped with a small army’s worth of supplies. The high school is still the same as it ever was, the low red-brick buildings sporting a new coat of paint, but still smelling like permanent marker and locker room sweat.

“Do you ever make it back to your old school, Stefano?” Phil asks, as we join the crowds heading for the football field.

“Absolutely not,” Seb says instantly. “Some things are best left in the past.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” I say meaningfully.

“Oh, hush that,” my mom says, smiling. “Roxy was valedictorian,” she says proudly. “And captain of the debate team, and chair of the Model UN.”

“For my college applications,” I explain. “And it’s not as grand as it sounds. There were four of us in the utility hut at lunch, debating whether vampires dating teenagers was illegal, or simply gross.”

Seb smirks. “Angsty lyrics, vampire novels… I’m beginning to see a whole new side to you.”

“Don’t you dare tell the guys at the bar,” I warn him, laughing. “I’ll never hear the end of it!”

“Oh, do you know Roxy’s coworkers?” Mom asks, looking over at Seb. Or rather, Stefano. Shit.

“We’ve met,” Seb replies smoothly. “I had to come check them out, see if I had anything to be jealous about.”

“I do worry about her,” Mom tuts, “Working at that place, late at night. You get all kinds.”

“It’s perfectly safe.”

“Don’t worry, Lorna,” Seb reassures her. “Roxy has a mean left hook. She can look after herself.”

I smile, but it’s like my mom didn’t hear him. “Of course, I’ll rest easier, knowing you’re around to protect her,” she coos, gazing up at Sebastian.

“I’ll certainly do my best.”

I’m rolling my eyes, when I hear someone calling my name. I turn to find my old History teacher, Mrs. Lawson, making a beeline for me. She was one of my favorite teachers and wrote me a glowing recommendation for my college scholarship applications, always so proud of my big achievements.

“Roxy!” She’s smiling and warm, dressed in a flowing red shirt and pants, a blue and yellow scarf as her only concession to the occasion. “I heard you were back for the reunion. How are you?”

“Great,” I tell her, feeling like I’ve been flung back in time. “How are you?”

She waves a hand, silver rings glittering on every finger. “Oh, you know, same as ever. Trying to teach the Reconstruction to kids more interested in shooting TikToks in the back row. I never had to deal with that kind of thing for your class,” she says, sighing.

“No, we were all perfectly behaved, and never distracted,” I reply smiling.

She laughs. “And what are you up to now? Finishing law school, maybe? Your mom said you were thinking about going back.”

My heart sinks.Thanks mom. “Nope, no law school,” I say brightly. “It wasn’t the right fit for me.”

“Oh.” Mrs. Lawson looks disappointed. “Still, I’m sure you’ll find your feet again soon. You always had so much potential.”

Had.

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