Page 58 of Curveball
So, maybe she’s just reminding me?
“Right. I heard you were going there. Adele can get around on the sand?”
“She’s supposed to take it easy with her cast, but she can walk a little. She loaded up her e-reader and we reserved one of those cabanas for the week.”
She’s squirming, and as soon as her eyes meet mine, she darts her gaze away. There’s more she’s not telling me, but what could it be?
“Is there something you want to ask me?”
She takes a deep inhale and sighs it out. “Well, um, yeah.” When I keep my steady gaze on her uncertain features, she finally comes out with, “I’m still working with the readers from the grade school till we leave for vacation, but I talked to Mr. Grady this morning, and he said I can tutor the incoming freshmen in the library too, after I get back.”
“That sounds like a great plan. Can you use those hours toward what you owe the school for your probation?”
She blows out a deep breath and her shoulders fall from where she had them tensed around her ears. She gives me a tentative smile.
“You don’t mind?”
“Natalie, why on earth would I mind?”
Teenagers. No matter how much time I spend with them, can I understand any of them? No. The answer is no.
“Well, I thought you might think it’s not fair, since Dylan still has to work at Daddy’s fundraiser to get his hours, but I won’t be there.”
I hitch my backpack onto my shoulder and move closer to her. Partly because I want to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, and partly because I’ll be that much closer to out the door once she’s gone.
“Sweetheart, that’s kind and thoughtful of you to be aware of other people’s feelings, but I think Dylan is actually looking forward to the event. Do you know how many ball players will be there?”
She chuckles as if this hadn’t already occurred to her, but then, she’s accustomed to her dad hanging out with pro athletes. It’s who he works with every day. It’s who he is.
“Ms. Sloan, do you think I could get a ride today? My dad brought me, but Chelsea Jones needed more help with reading than I planned, so he’s already at the field.”
Aha! We finally get to the reason for today’s impromptu visit, and I’m glad I can be available for her.
“Of course, kiddo, it’s your lucky day. I’m just on my way out.” And to confirm my point, I usher her out the door and lock it behind us before we weave our way through the school building on our way to the teachers’ parking lot.
“Do you need a ride tomorrow, too, or what about after you get back from vacation? Will Dilly be driving by then? I don’t mind chauffeuring you, if you need it.”
It’s been a few weeks since Adele broke her ankle, and I’ve lost track of when she’s supposed to be fully mobile and driving again.
“I’m not sure, but I’ll ask my dad and one of us can let you know. After Sunday, he’ll have home games for, like, a whole week.”
Natalie and I spend the ride to her house talking about their vacation plans—when they’re leaving, the house they rent every year, their favorite places to eat.
I have a momentary twinge of . . . ofwhat?Guilt? Concern?
Are we doing the right thing by not telling them?
Max and I decided not to make an announcement to anyone except Alejandro. Okay,I decided,and with a good deal of coaxing, Max finally agreed to go along with the plan.
This man, he’s a lot. And special . . . to me. But he has friends and connections I don’t know but who may have had dealings with Alex. How can I put him in the middle of that? And then, there’s the whole mess with Alejandro. . . who definitely won’tbe privy to the “fakeness” of this engagement. He’ll be told only what he needs to know to get him out of our damn lives, once and for all.
But a whole week with Max?Nervousness—or maybe eager excitement—assails my body, and my gaze sweeps up to check the clock on the dash. Twelve thirty. Before anything else happens, I need a minute to check in with my best friend. There is too much going on in my life right now. Too many big emotions. And I want to hear more about the hot hockey jock she once kicked out of her life. There’s only one solution for all our troubles, and it’s definitely alcohol.
And even though I’m driving, I shoot her a quick text.
Me: Happy hour is necessary. Meet me?
Pree: Drinking on a school night. Teacher, I like it when you live on the edge.
