Page 126 of Rags to Royals

“Oh my gosh,” I say, looking up with a laugh. “So how was the first day?”

He comes in and settles his hip on the corner of my desk. “Awesome.”

His face has lit up.He also looks damned good in those glasses. He shaved today and I miss his weekend scruff. But I like the khakis and dark blue button down rolled up to the elbows and open at the neck. He’s wearing brown dress shoes that are a little scuffed and he’s totally pulling off the casual, but still sophisticated hot professor vibe. I’m very into it all.

I grin. “It was good?”

“Totally nailed it.”

I lean back in my chair and prop one of my boots on my opposite knee. “Why am I not surprised? Is there anything you’re not good at?”

“The kids were great, got through today’s lessons with no issues. I think it’s going to be fun. And,” he says. “I have a ton of the football players in my classes.”

I laugh. “It’s not a very big school. And a lot of the boys play football.”

His grin gets even bigger. “They’ve already told me about the big tailgate party and the game on Friday. I can’t wait.”

“Do you like football? Do you play football in Cara?”

“Mostly hockey and what’s called soccer here. But I do like American football. Haven’t played it myself. But it’s a big deal in Florida and Louisiana, as you know. I learned so I could blend in but ended up really liking it.”

That makes sense. “It’s a big deal here too.”

“Oh, I’ve been informed.” He laughs. “So, we’ll go to the big tailgate party, then hang at the game, then they said a bunch of teachers head down to the bar afterwards. Sounds fun, right?”

I frown and shake my head. “Count me out. But you go have fun. Ruby will probably go. And Mariah.”

“You don’t like football?”

“I like football a lot,” I say. “I don’t really like big community social events in Emerald.”

He settles more fully onto my desk and braces his hands on either side of his hips. “I see. I don’t have to go.”

My eyes widen. “No. Don’t be ridiculous. You should go. Like you said, a lot of the players are in your class. You probably have a bunch of cheerleaders too. And kids who are in the band. The whole community gets involved in these things.”

“Except for you.”

“Okay. Except for me. And maybe six or seven other people.” And that’s not even much of an exaggeration. I’m not kidding when I say football is a big deal in Ohio too.

“I am here in Emerald because of you, Scarlett,” he says, his voice a little gruff. “I want to spend time with you.”

“I know. But one football game, a few hours long, won’t hurt.”

He hesitates and I can tell he really wants to go to the game. I’m not jealous. I just wish, for the millionth time, that I was living in my hometown as a normal alum of the high school and could go and enjoy things like this.

“Go. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you after,” I tell him.

“Why does Ruby go if you don’t?”

I shrug. “When I got involved with the church, I burned a lot of bridges with childhood friends. The church kids were my friends. But when I was thrown out of the church, I lost all of them. So I don’t have a friend group here in Emerald anymore. But Ruby stayed in touch with a few of her friends from high school when we left town.”

If anyone asked me if I have a little niggle of envy over the fact that my sister feels more comfortable and fits in here even after all these years, I would deny it. And I would be lying.

But it’s my own fault I don’t have friends here. Ruby kept her relationships going. There were several people who were happy when she moved back. And I told her what I am telling Cian now. I am fine on my own and she deserves to go out and have fun once in a while. She doesn’t have to stay home with me just because I was a stuck-up bitch in high school. I’m glad those friends don’t hold that against her.

“I’ll come over after the game,” he says.

“Sure. That’s great. Just go and have fun. You’ll know where to find me.”

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