Page 63 of Everything's Better With You
She grinned. “Already a softie. I’ve seen it done, and it’s not a bad idea. I’ll back whatever you decide. Let’s talk again tomorrow morning. Good luck with your first classes tomorrow.”
“Thanks.” He cringed a little remembering he had a basic flexibility class in the morning for the PE department and a beginning dance course the kids could take for fine arts credit. Barry had suggested they start slow when they talked last spring, and so Joe agreed three classes plus the cheerleading would be best. On the alternate days, he’d teach Hip Hop. All three of his classes had waitlists. The hope was there would be enough interest to offer more the following year and to start a degree program.
Which was the kind of long-term planning Joe wasn’t sure he was prepared for. The only plans he wanted to make at the moment included how he could see Leslie and apologize for their earlier conversation. He pulled out his phone and texted before he chickened out.
I’ve been told we do have to eat at some point. Have you done so?
Joe was heading out of the common room after stretching a bit and packing up his things and about to give up on a response when his phone buzzed.
Mom packed us spaghetti. There’s some left if you have time to come by my classroom.
Joe did a little victory dance and rapped, “Palms are sweaty. Mom’s Spaghetti.” He asked where and when. Leslie answered they’d be taking a break soon, giving Joe enough time to shower and hopefully unclench the muscles in his lower back. By the time he jogged across campus, he felt like he might make it. He felt like he was winning today and Leslie was his victory prize.
Eighteen
Leslie
“You could drive a goddamned semi through that line. What were they thinking? And how did he miss that block? Oh, come on!”
Randy was at that point in the night when he was up and pacing and shouting at the screen. Sandy was at his point in the night when he was alternatively pulling his hair out and plugging his ears shouting, “Shut up, dude. I can’t even think when you do that!”
Leslie balled up a piece of paper and chucked it at Randy’s head. “Simmer down over there. Let’s just get through this last film and call it a night.”
“But seriously! How are these kids going to protect him when they are too busy doing the cha-cha or whatever the fuck they’re doing is that’snotholding the line?!”
“Pipe down,” Leslie shouted, chucking more paper wads at Randy, who ducked.
The wad bounced off Joe’s forehead and he caught it in hisfist.
“Wow. Am I interrupting?”
Randy cursed, Sandy told him to shut up again, and Leslie paused the film on the screen.
“Actually, I think you just saved me,” Leslie muttered. He pushed himself up to standing and switched on the lights. “You two get out of here. I’ll see you at home. We’ll finish in the morning.”
“Uh, classes start tomorrow. You have conference at nine and one on Wednesdays, remember?”
Leslie’s cheeks heated and he ran a hand through his hair. “Right.” He really wished Joe hadn’t been there to hear that. “Thank you.” He leaned his weight onto his elbows on the table and sighed, his hands clasped in front of him.
“Okay, we’ll see you at home.” Sandy got the hint and practically dragged Randy out of the room. Joe stepped aside as they passed and waved at them.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt—”
“You want some of this spaghetti?”
“No, thank you. I grabbed a protein bar after my shower. I just…Les, I’m sorry about earlier.”
Leslie held up his hand and shook his head. “Stop it. It’s fine. I know we have to be careful in front of the kids.” He dropped his face into his hands. “I’m just tired.”
“Hey,” Joe said, moving swiftly through the tables. “Are you having a migraine?”
Leslie just grunted. He’d been trying to ignore it all afternoon. “I was trying to push through it. So much to do today.”
Joe stepped behind him and shushed him. He placed his hands on Leslie’s shoulders. “Shoulder rub, or want me to focus on your head?”
“You don’t have to—”
“Not here? Okay, shall I drive you home, or are you coming back to my place? Because I’m not leaving you alone.”
