Anything but Minor - Kate Stewart Page 0,46
have a night of sex with Rafe. It seemed I had more than one sincere apology to give, and as soon as class ended, he was quick to approach.
“I’m sorry,” I said in a low tone. “I had something come up.” I was lying, and that was not okay. “I got...involved with someone.”
“That fast?” he asked as he stuck his hands in a black pair of chinos.
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry I didn’t ask you sooner. I’m pissed about that fact, actually.” I looked up to see he was close. He was truly a good looking man. Trey had full, kissable, lips, and boyishly handsome features. Even with his face lit by the dull lights of the classroom, he was quite alluring. If I wasn’t so wrapped up in a ballplayer full of “charm,” Trey would be ideal. Still, I could never ignore the way I felt with said ballplayer around. My heart was already declaring itself faithful.
I want you to be mine.
“I’m not doing well at this,” I said as I motioned to the empty classroom in an attempt to change the subject. “I’m not doing well at all.”
“Alice, it’s not your job to motivate them. It’s your job to make sure they can fly the plane.”
“And I’m failing.”
“One week and you’ll have a new batch of pilots. I have to say, this was a tough room. And you didn’t fail. I’m not failing.”
I gave him a smile. “Thanks for that apple.”
“Anytime, teach.” He paused in the doorway. “If you change your mind, you have my number.” I nodded again as he gave me a heated look. “I hope you use it.”
I answered the phone with a smile. “You won.”
“We did. I wish you were here. I pitched—”
“A perfect game. I really wish I was, too.” I sat on the beach that Saturday, counting down the hours until Rafe came home. He assured me he wanted me in his bed tomorrow night when he got there. He’d even told me where he hides a key, so I assured him I would be waiting.
“You could’ve come.” Rafe’s voice was as deep and soothing as the ocean I was staring at.
“You didn’t invite me.” I smiled as I realized he wanted me there just as much as I wanted to be there. Still, my current view was a great consolation.
“Something wrong?” My smile deepened because he was becoming in tune with me and my tones.
I’d spent the better half of my day thinking about my career choice and wondering if I should stay. Trey was right. I had a new class of pilots coming and “a tough room” didn’t even begin to describe my current one.
“It’s just...my job. It’s not what I thought it would be. I think I’d be happier flying.”
“So then fly.”
“It’s not that simple. I don’t want to give up just because it’s tough. I have a contract with Boeing for a year I have to see through. It’s just...I feel like they hate me.”
“Just a bunch of arrogant assholes, huh?”
“Maybe I’m not cut out to be an instructor. I just don’t think they like me.”
“I like you.”
“I know,” I said with a sigh. “There’s that.”
“And it’s not changing. Tomorrow, Alice,” I heard the need in his voice and my stomach knotted with excitement. Just as I was about to respond, I felt the sting in my legs as I smacked my hand on my thigh and looked at it, sure I’d just killed a mosquito. The next sting came as I stood and looked below me for an ant pile.
“Yeah, tomorrow, Rafe—Ouch!” I said as I twisted my body, looking for any sign of life and got nothing.
“Alice, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. I think I sat in an ant pile at the beach.”
“There are no ant piles at the beach.”
“HOW...OW, Oh my God,” I jumped out of my skin as I swatted around me like I was being attacked by a swarm of bees.
“Alice, what the hell is going on?”
“Rafe, something’s biting me! I have to go.” I hung up and began swatting furiously at the air around me as one soft pinch after another ravaged my body. Onlookers stared at me as I furiously waved my hands around me to ward off the unseen enemy. The sun was setting, and the sand was cool on my feet as I grabbed my bag and made my way toward my car, enraged by the disruption of my Zen. Realization struck as I remembered my neighbors warning.
No-see-ums!
God, I had