If I Could - B. Celeste Page 0,99

the few seats left beside him as I look around the conference room we’re having our staff meeting in. With Reece being out sick thanks to the stomach bug going around, and Jim out on vacation, Sully’s all on his lonesome since he doesn’t talk with many other staffers.

His arms are crossed over his stomach covered in a blue striped button-down. “You didn’t hear?”

Considering my main source of gossip has been best buddies with our toilet for the past two days, I’m going with no.

It’s Michelle who leans forward and whispers, “He got caught doing it with a student in his classroom. Seriously, how did you not hear about this? It was all over school yesterday.”

Sully nods. “They escorted him out.”

My eyes widen. “The police?”

Michelle giggles. “No, but that would have been awesome, wouldn’t it? Pete deserved it after everything he got away with here.”

True. “It’d only be awesome if I got to see it,” I decide on, causing her to laugh.

The man sitting between her and I rolls his eyes at us. “The reason he didn’t know about it because he was busy hightailing it to play house with his hubby.”

Well, not hubby yet. “You jealous, Sully? I still have a lot of love left to give you too.” Making kissing noises at him, he shoves my shoulder with a low chuckle.

Michelle lets out a soft sigh. “I can’t believe you’re going to propose,” she tells me dreamily, hand resting on her chin. “He’s totally going to say yes.”

I showed them the ring yesterday, having every intention of making a spectacle at the Homecoming game this Friday. But with Reece sick, I doubt he’ll be up to attending. I’d rather he be conscious and not at risk for blowing chunks on the home turf after I ask him to be mine forever.

His mother helped me pick out the ring after I asked both her and her husband for their permission to marry their son. It’s been on my mind for a long time, and Reece and I have only gotten stronger after he moved into my house. Both they, and Jamie because I know she means a lot to Reece, all gave me their blessing. Good thing too, because I planned on marrying him without it and then I’d be in an awkward place during the holidays.

“I sure hope so,” I sigh, feeling the pressure building every second the ring sits in my pocket. I’ve been terrified of leaving it home, even though he’s not the one who snoops. I’m still that person, curiosity my biggest flaw. Sue me.

Michelle’s lips stretch upward. “Trust me, Ren, he’s going to say yes.” Considering she’s his only other friend here, someone he trusts, I take her word for it.

So why do I feel so nervous about asking?

When Richman finally walks into the room, he’s grouchy within seconds, barking at someone to close the door. My eyebrows go up when he snaps at a newer employee, who replaced Harper when she left, for having their feet perched on a chair.

“What crawled up his ass?” I murmur to Sully, who snickers.

“It was his niece Pete was sleeping with.”

I have to bite my knuckle not to let the laugh out that so desperately wants to escape. He just nods, Michelle’s eyes shimmer with amusement, and we all collect ourselves as the meeting starts.

What a dumbass.

My eyes dart to the scoreboard. We’re ahead by three points, but Freemont has strong players this year. Their linebacker is twice the size of ours and looks like he could break a body if it gets in his way. I’m not nervous though. Red has been stronger and faster than ever, even bulked up by fifteen pounds of solid muscle over the summer, shot up well past my height, and currently has three different college scouts watching him like hawks. He’s bringing us to a win tonight.

My eyes dart to the man standing next to me, watching my boys out on the field kick ass. When he sees me staring, he smiles. “What?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He still looks somewhat ashen, but his eyes aren’t as glazed as they have been, and he’s managed to keep everything he’s eaten down since last night.

He laughs. “I feel like I should be asking you that. You keep looking at the board like you’re about to pass out, but the boys are killing it. Did you see Bowen take out 63?” The way his eyes light up when he says that makes