Page 10 of Branded

Caleb was in our middle school science class. We always made fun of him for being a little on the nerdy side, but I’d be lying if I said Caleb didn’t pull more ass than Finn and I combined times five.

“I just got here. Late call right before my shift ended.”

“Yeah, I tried to find you when we were heading back inside, but I wasn’t able to,” Caleb says.

“It was a bit hectic on the back end.”

“That’s what she said,” Finn announces proudly before standing. “I’m going to go get another round. Interested?”

Caleb and I both ask for another beer and Finn heads up to the bar to undoubtedly flirt with the new female bartender working tonight.

Talk of being at the school today, obviously, sends my thoughts right back to Sawyer, which seems to be a regular occurrence as of late.

“Hey, Caleb. You work at the high school.”

“Yes, I’m very aware. I’m glad to know we are on the same page with that.”

“Shut up. I just mean, I just realized you may be able to help me with something.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What do you know about a teacher in the English department named Sawyer Westbrook?” I managed to catch a glimpse of the badge that was hanging around her neck, attached to a Marvel Comics lanyard.

He leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “Sawyer Westbrook.” He ponders for a moment. “I haven’t spoken to her much, but I do see her from time to time.”

“Is that it? What’s her story?”

“All I know is that she came here from a school in LA, and she is incredibly attractive. She tends to be the topic of conversation amongst the male students. Why?”

“I ran into her, literally, at the Harvest Festival last weekend, then again at the school today. I wanted to know more about her because clearly the universe wants her in my path or some shit.”

“What are we talking about?” Finn asks, coming back with our beers.

“Isaac is trying to get his dick wet with one of my coworkers,” Caleb jokes.

“Poor girl,” Finn adds.

“I hate you both.” I down the rest of my beer before popping the cap on the new one, tossing it into the bucket at the edge of the table.

Caleb laughs at me then claps me on the shoulder. “Sorry. Sorry. Look, like I said, I don’t really know much other than the things I just told you, and she and another teacher in that department, Olivia Harper, are pretty close. They run the track every afternoon after school.”

“If you wanted a quick lay, you’d call Isabelle. What’s the difference with this girl?” Finn asks.

Isabelle. Even thinking about breaking things off with her makes my chest hurt from guilt. She’s a nice girl. She just isn’t for me long term. I know that’s what she wants, even if she won’t say it outright.

“I’m not sure yet. I just… want to get to know her. That’s all.” I pick at the label on my beer bottle. “And as for Isabelle, I don’t know, man, she’s making it pretty clear she wants more than what we agreed on before. More than clear, actually.”

“And this is a bad thing?” says Caleb.

“With her, it is. I don’t want a relationship, and I know that makes me a goddamn hypocrite as I’m asking about Sawyer Westbrook in the same breath. It’s complicated.”

“Pussy tends to be that way,” Finn says, and Caleb nods his head in agreement.

Chapter 3

Sawyer

“Mylegsareburning.My chest hurts. I’m way too out of shape for this shit. Why do you make me do this every day?” I whine to Olivia, as we round into our fourth lap around the track.

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