Page 171 of The Lineman

Troy gasped dramatically. “Can’t a man just love literature?”

The class laughed.

I shook my head. “Something is off here.”

“I just felt this one.” Troy shrugged, looking way too smug. “It spoke to me.”

Jessica snorted. “Bro, it was a chapter on existential dread.”

Troy nodded solemnly. “Exactly.”

“You know what?” I sighed. “I don’t even care. I’m proud of you. Good job.”

Troy grinned. “I’m proud of me, too.”

I rolled my eyes and flipped open my book.

When the bell rang, I glanced at Jamie and gave him a small nod. “Jamie, hang back for a second, would you?”

Jamie blinked, adjusting the strap of his backpack. “Uh, yeah. Sure, Mr. A.”

The other students filed out, laughing and still deeply invested in the ongoing saga of my love life.

Jessica winked at me on her way out. “Next time, bring details. Photos are welcome. Videos preferred.”

“Get out, Jessica.”

She laughed, disappearing down the hall.

I turned back to Jamie, who looked mildly concerned.

“Uh . . . am I in trouble?”

“Should you be?” I smiled.

He paled—even further than his never-seen-the-sun skin already was.

“Jamie, no, not at all. You’re not in trouble.”

His shoulders relaxed slightly.

I motioned for him to sit. “I actually have good news.”

Jamie dropped his bag onto the floor, sitting on the edge of a desk. “Yeah?”

I took a deep breath, my grin stretching across my face. “The principal approved the LGBT group.”

Jamie froze.

Like, literally froze.

For a full five seconds, he didn’t move. He barely breathed.

Then—

“Nofuckingway,” he whispered.

“Language.”

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