Page 149 of Love in Riverbend
My tone lowers to a growl. “If there’s a problem, bring it to me. Devan didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I am, Justin. Shit, I don’t care what my teachers do in their private time as long as it’s legal. Just do it in private. Not in the school parking lot.”
That makes me wonder about the guy Devan is replacing. Before I can ask, Cory goes on.
“I don’t want parents to complain, and if they saw what I saw last night, they would.”
“I fucking kissed her goodbye.” It was hardly an X-rated moment.
“She’s new, and new teachers have to prove themselves, even Riverbend RTSers.”
“She will,” I say, my need to defend Devan fueling my words. “You should see her classroom. One kiss shouldn’t sway anyone’s opinion. Let her work do that.”
“What about her age?” he asks.
“She’s legal.” I use his own word.
Cory sits back and shakes his head. “Does Ricky know?”
“We’re telling him tonight.”
Cory snorts and tips his face down. “Well, there goes our team unity.”
“I forgot about the game. Devan has a plan, and it includes me going to dinner at the Dunns’ home tonight.”
“Well, if you show up tonight with a shiner, I’ll know where it came from—or who.”
“ARE YOU STILL EXPECTING ME?”
* * *
I ask in a text to Devan later in the day as I head toward my house. I have an hour to clean up. Waiting for her response makes me realize how Cory’s confrontation this morning has fucked with me.
I thought our only obstacles would be Jack and Ricky. Maybe I didn’t think the whole thing through enough.
‘What about her age?’ His question has been eating at me all day.
What the fuck difference does it make about her age or mine?
My phone dings as I step onto the porch. The text is from Devan.
* * *
“YES. COME BY A LITTLE BEFORE SIX. MOM SAID DINNER IS EARLIER BECAUSE RICKY HAS A GAME. ARE YOU GOING TO PLAY?”
* * *
I text back, her question reminding me of my orange shirt.
* * *
“I FORGOT ABOUT IT UNTIL THIS MORNING AT BREAKFAST. IF RICKY DOESN’T KILL ME FIRST, I’LL PLAY.”
* * *
She responds with a heart and then a text message.
* * *
