Page 46 of Breakaway

They made the usual small talk and then he said, “Can I see you tonight?”

She sighed. “I don’t think so, Jase. This isn’t really going to work.”

Well, he’d seen that coming. He leaned back into his couch. He wasn’t going to be like Brianne, all heartbroken and chasing afterher. He had some pride. With his insides burning, eyes closed, he said, “I figured you’d say that. Okay.” He paused, not sure what else to day. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. At school.”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Bye, Remi.”

And again he ended the call. Then he threw his phone, hard, across the room.

It wasn’t that easy. Despite her conviction that they were from different worlds and her resolve that they shouldn’t see each other again, when he showed up at school on Wednesday, looking all big and handsome and—dammit—a little sad, she went all soft and warm and shaky inside. She couldn’t take her eyes off him as he worked with the kids, and more than once their glances collided, then skittered away.

When most of the kids had left and Ryan as usual hung back to talk about hockey, Jase quietly said, “Here.” And he slipped Ryan an envelope. Remi frowned.

Ryan opened it and peered inside, then looked up at Jase open-mouthed. “Are these tickets to one of your games?”

“Yeah. There’s three. For your mom and your brother too.”

A huge smile broke out on Ryan’s face. “Holy…I mean, wow. Thank you! I can’t believe this! I’ve never been to a real live hockey game!”

Jase grinned and Ryan dashed out, no doubt excited to get home and share the news.

Remi’s heart tilted and warmth curled inside her. She smiled, but shook her head as their eyes met, alone now in the classroom. “All the other kids are going to be upset that they didn’t get tickets.”

His eyebrows drew down. “Damn. I didn’t think of that. I just thought…he’s been doing so well and when he said they couldn’t afford to go to a game…” He shook his head. “Shit. Sometimes I don’t think things through.”

Her throat got a little tight.

“Remi.”

He walked toward her, then stood there, gazing at her. “The paparazzi are really not that big a deal.”

“It scared me.” Although now that she’d had some time to digest it and put in perspective, it actually didn’t seem so bad.

He went to a crouch in front of her where she sat, frowning, and took her hands. “Scared you?”

“Yes.” She swallowed. “I’m just not used to that.”

“They wouldn’t hurt you.”

“Remember Princess Diana?”

His eyebrows flew up. “Jesus. I’m hardly in the same class as Princess Diana. They don’t chase me around like that.”

She blew out a breath. “I know.” She paused. “Once again, Jase, that just showed that I’m not the right kind of girl for you. I don’t live in that kind of world.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” He stared at her. “That doesn’t matter. You’re smart and beautiful. I’m the one scared spitless of you. Your brains and education.”

Her heart tightened painfully. “What?” Was that true? She gazed back at him searchingly.

He dropped his gaze and shook his head. “Never mind.”

She touched her hand to his cheek, rough with beard stubble. “Oh, Jase.”

He looked at her hopefully. “So can we go out again?”

She surrendered to it. To the feelings swelling inside her, big and soft and warm. To him and his boyish charm.

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