I have things to do,” I said, pointing toward my paper.
She glanced down and back up at me. She stood, hovering over the seat, watching me intently. This woman in a fucking freak.
“Hey, babe,” I hear from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder at Matt, walking toward me.
Ms. Shay smiled. “Really looks like he broke up with you last night, huh, Ms. Thomas.” She then turned on her heel, her red ponytail swinging and walked away.
“Broke up with you?” Matt asked, taking a seat beside me. His black eyebrows were pulled down and he was frowning.
“I have no idea what she was talking about. I heard she was crazy.” I spun a circle around my temple with my finger.
He smiled. “They’ll hire anyone these days. So, what’d you do last night?”
“Went out with Cody to Monroe. We danced.”
“Did any guys flirt with you?” he asked. I don’t know why he always asked that, it wasn’t like he would go track down the guys and beat the hell out of them. And plus, the only guy really on me was Liam.
“Nope,” I lied.
He nodded and fidgeted with his phone. It had started buzzing a few seconds before but he didn’t answer it. “You gonna get that?”
He shook his head. “Nah, it’s not important. But, hey, you know we have that baseball dance coming up. You wanna go?”
Not really. “Yeah, sure. When is it, next week?”
He nodded. “Yeah, you’ll have to have a dress.”
I nodded. “I’ll get one.”
“Okay,” he said, standing up. I saw his fingers tighten around his cellphone but I didn’t ask. “I’m going to head over to Tyler’s apartment.”
“Okay, hey, did you hear about Tyler going out with Jamie? He said she started out really weird. I wonder what’s wrong with her?”
Matt’s jaw tightened. “When?”
“Last night. She won’t talk to me either. I don’t know what the hell is going on with her.”
Matt gave me a small smile. “Don’t worry about it.” He kissed my forehead. “It’s probably nothing.”
He ran down the stairs and disappeared. I figured I’d had enough excitement for one day and went home.
Chapter Eight
Liam
Shay had called me several times over the weekend. I didn’t answer. I was sure I’d see or hear from her Monday at school but I didn’t feel like making any more excuses to her. I didn’t like her, I wanted something I couldn’t have. Of course.
Layla and I took a run at the lake, and I tossed her toy into the waves from the boats passing by. It was peaceful, Sarah had been right. I hadn’t heard from her since that Friday. It was Sunday and I wanted so bad to just go over to her apartment, but I wasn’t sure who all was there.
Layla brought her bone back to me, and I tossed it out further. What would happen if Matt opened the door? He already suspected me. Would he pick a fight? I wasn’t scared, I could hold my own. Or would he go and tell? I’d lose my job for sure. It was in the handbook about student/teacher relationships. It was against the rules, and I wanted to break them over and over again.
Layla trotted back up to me and flopped on the dirt. She was tired. I patted her head and walked over toward the truck. I heard the faint sound of my cell phone ringing. Dad’s name popped up. I was sure it was my mom again.
“Hello,” I said.
“Hey, son,” Dad said. My heart began to beat even faster. What did he want? He’d already told me everything he needed before I left.
“What’s going on?” I asked, leaning against the seats.
“Just checking in on you. Is everything alright?”
I nodded but remembered he couldn’t see me. “Yes, sir. Everything is fine.” Why are you really calling?
“I wanted to check in, because your mother and I are coming down next weekend. We wanted to make sure you were free. You don’t have any plans?” He laughed but it was bitter. “We both know you don’t have anything serious, because woman aren’t after teachers.”
Anger rose in my throat. That was another lame excuse for a reason not to teach, in his eyes. The only thing women want was a hardcore military man. Bullshit. Sarah would disagree with him. But, Sarah isn’t mine.
“Actually, I do have plans. But, I can break them.”
Dad was silent for a moment. “Oh, really? Why don’t you bring her to meet us then? We’ll get to know your new squeeze.”
My head began to spin.