Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
It’s a sweet smile.
Again, it warms me to my soul.
But, it’s one I have no business enjoying as much as I apparently do right now.
Get it together, man.
“Here’s to day one of many,” Principal Renner says, lifting a glass of punch. “May you survive the rest.”
The other faculty members chuckle. Since I don’t know anyone really well, I take my plate piled up with food and sit at a table near the window. A few minutes later, a muscular guy with a scowl drops into the chair across from me. I immediately recognize him from the summer staff meetings as the track coach, Coach Long.
“My day started out swell,” he says in way of greeting. “Already scooped up a handful of little shits for afternoon detention this week.”
I swallow down the meatball I’d crammed into my mouth and smirk. “Nearly sent a few your way this morning. I have a ‘no phones ever’ policy.”
“Good luck with that rule,” Coach Long murmurs, dunking a carrot stick in some ranch. “None of these kids listen to a damn thing we say around here. But I admire you for trying. If it sends too many brats my way, we’ll need two detention teachers. Remember that, Langford.”
“Theo,” I say with a chuckle. “And I’m a team player. If you need help with detention, I’m your man.”
What I don’t tell him is I don’t have anything better to do. No friends. No social life. Nothing.
“Everett.” He polishes off the rest of his carrots and then says, “As much as I love detention, I have a family who waits for me by the door each day. They got used to me being home all summer. Might have a few days I need to skip out of here early.”
I give him a nod. “Any time. Just holler.”
The man smiles at me but it kind of reminds me of a lion baring its teeth. He means well, and I think I may have made a work friend. It’s something.
He devours the rest of his food and then rises to his feet. After clasping me on my shoulder with impressive strength, he saunters away.
Principal Renner joins me next, limping slightly on his way over to me. “How was your first day?”
“I survived.” I shake his hand and he takes his seat. “Most of them loathe the idea of sitting in the heat and playing in the dirt.”
“These kids will always find something to complain about. No trouble, though?”
“Nah. It’s a nice change,” I admit. “The accounting life was dull.”
Principal Renner snorts out a laugh. “Teaching is anything but. I’m glad you’re here.”
After making a twenty-minute appearance at the staff party, I slip out and head toward the parking lot. Before I reach my truck, I notice a single car sitting in the student parking lot.
I toss my crap inside my vehicle and then make my way over to see if the student needs help. As I approach, I note the vehicle is brand-new and expensive. Costs more than a handful of the staff cars combined, including mine. When I see silky blond hair that glimmers in the sunlight through the windshield, my stomach tightens for some strange reason.
“Addison?”
Her head is bowed. She’s frowning, cheeks wet with fresh tears. I rap my knuckles on her window. She startles and screams. Once she sees me, she relaxes and rolls down the window. The scent of her fruity perfume swirls out of her car, wrapping around me and filling my lungs.
She smells sweet.
Her lips curl into a shy smile. “Oh, hey, Mr. Langford.”
I almost blurt out for her to call me Theo but refrain at the last second. Teaching is a lot more different than accounting. It’s going to take some getting used to.
“Everything okay?”
She nods too quickly. “Yep. Just fine.”
“Car working?”
“Yeah. It’s fine. I’m about to go home.” She flinches as she says the last part. “Not in a hurry.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask why she doesn’t want to go home.
But I’m smart enough to know it’s not appropriate.
She’s a student and I’m her teacher.
“Well, you have to do it eventually,” I say gently to her. “Right?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Sign up for Greenhouse Club and FFA. That’ll keep you busy.”
I’m teasing, I think.
Her cheeks turn pink and she grins. “That’s a good idea.”
I stare at her for far too long before clearing my throat and looking elsewhere. I smack the top of her vehicle before stepping away. “It’s just a bad day. Not a bad life.”
It’s the thing Penny always says to me. When it comes from my sister, it’s annoying, but while helping someone else with it, it’s not so bad.
“Thank you,” she murmurs. “I needed to hear that.”
I flash her a warm smile. “See you tomorrow, Addison.”
“I’ll be there.”
As I make my way back over to my truck, an uneasy feeling settles in my gut. I’m not sure my deal is, but I’m interested in what’s going on with the poor girl. I sense her sadness and it makes me want to comfort her in ways I wish other people were able to comfort me.