Page 87 of Ancient History

“Long enough to know that the desk should be wiped down. Also, your cheeks are all flush, Amos.”

“I’m sick?” I gave the most pathetic fake cough in history.

“Whatever just occurred on school grounds should not be repeated on school grounds. Are we clear?”

Hutch and I nodded, two boys who’d totally been caught.

“You can do that on your own time.” A slight smile creased Aguilar’s face, as if to say the principal side of him didn’t approve, but the hopeless romantic side of him did. “I had a feeling something was going on between you two.”

Did everyone know there was something between us? I missed my high school wallflower self because at least back then, nobody noticed me.

“Is this a problem?” Hutch asked.

My heart stopped for a moment. Was he going to call this whole thing off to save his job?

“Are teachers allowed to date?” he continued. He slung his arm around me.

My heart stopped for a totally different reason.

Aguilar let out a hearty chuckle. “Of course! There’s no rule against fraternization. In fact, earlier this year, I too had a clandestine relationship with a student’s legal guardian.”

“Clint,” I told Hutch, filling him in. “You guys are really cute together.”

“We know. We’ve started a joint Instagram account for us and our apple tree and cacti. Our handle is JohnnyandCactiGuy. Clint wanted A Couple of Pricks, but I don’t think the school board would look kindly on that. I’ll send you a friend request.”

“Oh, okay.” Before I could object, Aguilar pulled out his phone and seconds later my phone buzzed with a notification. I steeled myself for my feed to be flooded with awkwardly adorable pictures.

Aguilar kept watching until Hutch and I took out our phones and accepted his request.

“I’m truly happy for you both. You’re both a joy to have on staff.”

“Thanks for being cool with this,” Hutch said.

“Well, not this.” Aguilar gestured at the desk. “While I pride myself on being a sex-positive principal, if I ever catch you having sex on school property during school hours, there will be consequences. Please take your exhibitionism elsewhere.”

“Oh, we’re not exhibitionists,” I said, feeling myself turn yet another shade of red. “We prefer having sex in private. We had sex in his bedroom last night.”

Shit. Why didn’t my mouth come with a pause button?

“Do kids still say TMI?” Aguilar asked.

“I think so.”

“Then TMI, Amos.”

“Sorry about all this, Principal Aguilar,” Hutch said, sounding like the voice of reason, whereas I was a sputtering fool.

“Hutch, I actually came here to speak with you.” Aguilar went to sit in a chair but thought otherwise. “Unfortunately, one of your players is unable to stay on the team and he’s restricted from playing in upcoming games.”

“What?” Hutch stepped forward from the corner where he’d been hiding. “Who is it?”

Aguilar opened a folder in his hands. “Tommy Alvarez.”

“He’s one of our best offensive players.”

Whatever high was left of this moment washed away.

“He’s currently failing one of his classes, and it’s school policy that athletes must be passing all classes in order to continue playing.”

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