Tackling Love - Kathleen Kelly Page 0,21
the sporting programs. The parents and faculty like it when we win championships and have shiny trophies in the glass display cabinets. Hell, even the debate team gets more funding than we do. It makes other rich parents want to send their children here which means more money. Unfortunately, the school is in the business of making money, just like every other business in town.”
“Surely, it’s about education?”
Juliette laughs and slaps my arm. “You’re funny.”
“How much does the drama department need for the next two years?”
“Ballpark? I’m thinking two hundred grand and a building dedicated to music, theater, and anything else I can think of.”
I raise my eyebrows at her and repeat, “Two hundred thousand?”
“Easily. That includes wages for a seamstress and another drama teacher,” replies Juliette.
“Okay, I think I can swing the two hundred K, but a building is whole other thing.” Juliette grins at me. “Don’t get too excited, but I have a few friends in this town. Let me make some calls, see if any of them want to help build a new wing.”
“Yay!” Juliette jumps up and down.
“Calm down.” I shake my head.
Juliette grabs my hand and shakes it up and down vigorously. “Thank you! You’ll need to talk to the school principal and the board, but there’s no way they are going to say no to you.”
“Okay! Let me see what I can do. But in the meantime, is there some way you could tell me what Blaise needs in the way of a costume? I was thinking I could pay for it, but you could say you found it?”
“I can do that, leave it with me. Give me your number, and I’ll call you when I’ve got it.”
Not wanting to give Juliette the wrong idea, I say, “I’m seeing Skye Hadley, but sure give me your phone, and I’ll enter my number.”
“It was Skye in those photos,” shrieks Juliette.
“Ahh… yes, but I’d appreciate it if you kept it to yourself?” I ask cautiously.
Grinning from ear to ear, Juliette replies, “Of course. My lips are sealed.”
She hands over her phone, and I add my details. “Juliette, please don’t give my number to anyone. The last thing I need is a fan ringing me at three in the morning.”
“Your digits are safe with me.” She winks, and I smile.
“Okay, thanks. I look forward to hearing from you soon.”
We shake hands again, and I head for the exit.
My teammates are all in the gym at the stadium working out.
Gray walks in, half an hour late.
“Slacker,” I yell without stopping on the rowing machine.
“Some of us don’t need to work out as much when we are this close to perfection,” announces Gray as he turns in a circle.
His teammates heckle and throw towels at him.
“Haters are always going to hate,” says Gray as he shakes his head.
“How are you?” I ask as I continue to work out.
“Good, Colt. How are you? Fixed things with your girlfriend?”
The gym erupts into laughter as the attention is moved from Gray to me.
“Okay, fellas, shut up,” I say over their teasing.
“Aww… didn’t you want us to know?” asks Dawson Miles, a linebacker.
Ignoring Dawson, I focus on Gray. “You still got friends in the building industry?”
“Some, why?” asks Gray as he sits at the machine next to me.
“The school where Skye works needs two hundred thousand dollars and a new building for its drama department. I thought I could help with the two hundred K, but the building? That’s a big ask.”
The room has gone quiet as everyone goes back to working out but listening in.
“You’re going to front the two hundred K?” asks Gray.
“What?” I ask.
“You’re serious about this one, aren’t you?”
“Gray, she doesn’t even know. This is about my little brother, you know the program I’m in? Blaise has got himself the lead role in Snow White. He got a scholarship to go to the school, but he’s not rich. Blaise admitted his mother was going to make the costume, and he wasn’t too thrilled by it, so I went to the school to ask. The head of the department told me in two years they’ll have the funding they need, but right now, there’s a two hundred K shortfall, and they need a designated building. I thought if I could help, I should.”
“My uncle does construction, I bet he could help,” says the assistant coach.
I stop what I’m doing and look at him. “Really?”
“Yeah, and I’m happy to kick in a thousand dollars to the fund.”
The coaches earn a decent