Page 26 of Breakaway

“She did not know you were a ‘ockey player,” Matthieu, also known as Frenchy, said from the back seat in his rhythmic French accent.

“Nope, she didn’t know that either.”

Jase couldn’t believe she was a teacher. He’d picked up ateacherin a bar, taken her home and fucked her! Jesus!

“Kinda awkward, running into her again like that.” Griff signaled and made a lane change.

“I was going to call her again.” Jase still stared out the window. Hehadwanted to see her again. She was adorable, but fuck! A teacher! “But not now.”

“Why not?”

“She’s a teacher.” Griff was probably his best buddy, in Chicago at least, and even he didn’t know about the trauma inflicted on him by teachers. “I don’t date teachers. Don’t want anything to do with teachers.”

Teaching was a noble profession. He couldn’t judge all teachers the same. Just because a few teachers had made his life hell didn’t mean they were all like that. Hell, he should thank Ms Wong. If it wasn’t for her, he probably wouldn’t be where he was.

“Huh.” Griff shot him a mystified glance. “She’s kinda cute. What difference does it make if she’s a teacher?”

“Never mind. Not going there. Let’s go get some food.”

“Where should we go?”

“I need a ’amburger,” Frenchy said.

“Burgers sound good. How about Benny’s?”

Griff tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “They have vegan food there?”

“Dude.” Jase grinned at him. “Shut up about the vegan shit. You know you’re dying for a burger.”

“I’ve been doing good this week!”

“It’s only Wednesday.”

“Yeah, pretty sure they have a tofu burger there.” Jase snorted.

“Beans and rice again?” Frenchy asked. “Câlisse.”

When they arrived at Benny’s, Griff inspected the menu then slapped it down. “Fuck it. Burger it is. With cheese and bacon.”

Jase held out his fist.

Griff sighed and bumped knuckles.

“What’s with the big vegan push anyway?”

“Chantal is vegan.” He named his new girlfriend.

“You’ve only been seeing her a couple of weeks,” Frenchy said. “Dat is a pretty big commitment.”

“Too big.” He grimaced. “Of course, she doesn’t need to know about this.”

“She’ll smell the beef on your breath,” Jase said. “There’s no way to hide it. In fact, the odor will come out of your pores. I’ve heard that.”

“Bullshit.”

“Also a relationship built on lies is not healthy,” Frenchy added.

Jase lifted an eyebrow. “And there is that.”

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