Page 99 of Banter & Blushes

I can’t believe I’m encouraging an eight-year-old to forgo a potty visit for a go at the swings. And for my own benefit. I’ve definitely stooped to a new low.

She nods her head vigorously. “My mom said I shouldn’t hold it.”

I sigh. “Your mom is right.”

After I signal to Sandra that I have a student in need of the restroom, I take her hand again and go inside the school.

As we walk down the hall toward the bathrooms, we pass the fourth-grade class. I catch a glimpse of Ethan through the door window, standing in the front with one of the students, who’s pointing at his jersey.

Ethan tugs his shirt over his head, revealing the padding at his waist and the tighter-fitting shirt he wears underneath, which shows off his broad shoulders and muscled pecs to perfection.

You know how you stare at a person, and they sense someone’s staring at them? I whip my head away just before he sees me. At least, I hope I did fast enough.

But what if I didn’t, and he comes out looking for me?

“Come on, honey. You don’t want to have an accident.” I walk faster toward the ladies’ room, tugging Iris along.

Her legs move like those little dogs trying to keep up with their owners, which makes me feel worse because I’m sure her small bladder isn’t happy about it. Finally, we make it into the bathroom, where I breathe a sigh of relief.

Just when I thought Fate had decided we weren’t meant to be, she goes and plays this dirty little trick on me. I mean, seriously?

What are the odds that Ethan would show up at my school?

CHAPTER 13

ETHAN

It’s her…Mia. I’m certain of it.

Desperate for another glimpse, I stare at the glass window, willing her to come back because I can’t abandon Coach’s daughter in the middle of her presentation. I’m also wearing my skates, so it’s not like I could easily chase after her, either.

Kaia points to my shoulder and elbow pads. “They wear all this padding under their jerseys to keep them safe, but it also makes them look bigger than they are.”

She grins at me with a hint of a schoolgirl crush sparking in her eyes. Now I get why I’m her favorite player. I stare at the door again, hoping Mia’s there, smiling at me. She’s the one I’d rather have crushing on me at the moment.

Kaia tugs my long-sleeved shirt. “She asked you a question?”

I drop my gaze to her. “Um, sorry. What was the question?”

A girl with dark brown braids in the second row rolls her eyes. “Why do you have to wear a shirt under your jersey?”

I rest my hands on my chest. “It makes wearing all the padding more comfortable.” I pinch the fabric. “It also helps keep us cooler. And you can imagine, we sweat a lot out there.”

Several of the girls contort their faces with disgust. Someone in the back says, “Gross.”

Kaia continues to point out various pieces of my gear with detailed descriptions of their functions. The kid definitely did her research.

Meanwhile, I’m trying to stay focused for Kaia’s sake, but all I can think about is Mia. Is she a stay-at-home mom? But that would likely mean she’s married, right? My skin crawls at the thought.

Or she could be a single mom. I can understand her hesitation to mention she has a child, but that doesn’t explain why she kept avoiding the topic of her profession. Maybe she works here at the school, but why would she avoid telling me?

Kaia tugs on my sleeve again. “Can you turn around?”

“Oh, sure.” I face the blackboard, checking the door again as I do. Still no sign of Mia.

“And this padding here protects his back.” Kaia pokes at the padding on top of my pants and over my upper back, then catches my gaze. “You can put your jersey back on.”

I nod, then tug it back over my head as I face the class again.

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