Page 81 of Ancient History

“Because you asking questions will turn it into a whole thing, and it is way too new of a thing to be a whole thing. It’s still a zygote of a thing. You know, like when the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, they weren’t all ‘I guess we’re a world superpower now. Because that’s a whole thing, and we’re just ex-colonies.’ You get me?”

He cocked his head, seeming incredibly lost. I was a bit lost in my metaphors. I didn’t even teach US History.

“Just, don’t say anything.”

And he didn’t. The silence quickly became unbearable though, its own judgmental weight that stifled the car. I could feel him looking at me. I could hear the questions rattling off in his head.

“Fine. Because you’re so damn nosey, I’ll tell you. Hutch and I maybe, possibly, one hundred percent definitely had sex last night. I’m not going to rehash every detail because it’s personal and private, but I will just say that it was amazing. I’m not going to spill every detail about how we did it on his bed and then he shoved me against the wall and thank god you dragged me to those sunset yoga classes.”

“Incoming text message from Hutch.” I found myself grateful to be interrupted by AI. “Yo, can you give me a ride to school? Raleigh is coming in late, and I don’t have a car dot dot dot.”

Shit.

I strummed my fingers on the steering wheel. The school was a block away. But Hutch didn’t have a car. And Everett was in mine having the time of his life.

Everett leaned forward and tapped the reply button on the screen.

“On my way,” he dictated.

“On my way,” the AI voice repeated back. “Okay to send?”

“Yes,” I said. I glanced over at Everett, still smiling, but there was a warmth there that let me know that amidst enjoying my embarrassment, he was happy for me.

“Don’t say a word,” I said to him.

“Don’t say a word,” the AI voice repeated back. “Okay to send?”

“Yes!” Everett shouted out before slapping his hand back on his mouth.

22

HUTCH

“You’re smiling awfully hard considering it’s gym class.” Raleigh watched me like a hawk as I handed out golf clubs to the students.

I felt my face and realized that yes, I had on a big, dumb grin.

“Just happy to be here.”

“In gym class?” Raleigh laughed to himself and strolled down the line, giving pointers to students on their swing. I handled the other half of the line, helping students align their hands and feet. Even though they pretended not to take it seriously, their faces lit up when they hit a great shot.

No matter how trivial, everyone liked to learn and get better at something.

Raleigh and I stood in back while kids continued taking their shots. My mind kept going to last night, how perfect it was. I wish I was able to wake up with Amos in bed with me, but I understood that he had to make a hasty exit to his condo. Fortunately, he snuck out without waking up Pop. That would’ve been awkward.

“Have you thought any more about what you’re doing next year?” Raleigh asked. “You seem to have a knack for coaching.”

“Beginner’s luck.”

I loved helping my players improve, devising strategies, and watching the team dynamics gel. My confidence with coaching was stronger than it ever was as a player. I’d floated around aimless ever since I was cut from professional soccer, but I’d found my place here. Maybe I did have a knack for it.

“Aguilar and I are meeting this week to discuss. I’d like to come back. Part of it depends on how the team finishes out the season.”

“If things keep going as they are, then it should be a done deal.” Raleigh turned to face me. Even though we were the same height, he loomed larger somehow, his thick blond hair and burly shoulders making him look like Thor.

“Have you given any more thought to getting your teaching certification?”

“I looked into it. It’s a lot of work.”

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