Page 14 of Always a Roommate
And then, every once in a while, someone walked into my classroom who wanted to be there, who hung on to my every word. That was rewarding as a teacher, to know I was reaching those kinds of kids.
I wasn’t quite sure how I found it so easy to be laid back and chatty with my students but not with the rest of the world. Maybe it was because I knew I was only a blip in their lives. Once they left high school behind, most wouldn’t remember much more than my name, if that.
Yet, I could still make a profound impact.
“Yo, teach!” Johnny yelled, hanging out the window. “Think you could change my grade?”
I approached them slowly, my arms crossed over my chest. A bag hung from my shoulder, holding a stack of papers I needed to get a start on grading. I didn’t have time today for my brothers. “Oh, did I accidentally give you a D for dumba—”
“Woah,” Tanner cut me off. “Someone is even grumpier than usual. Besides, Johnny definitely is more of the F for fool type.”
Johnny sat back in his seat. “I don’t like you two.”
Tanner shoved him. “Out.”
“What?”
“Give Shane your seat and hop in back.”
Johnny muttered something under his breath but did as he was told and climbed into the back.
Tanner patted the now-empty passenger seat. “Get in.”
“Why?” I knew better than to trust my brothers.
“Mom said you were being shown a few houses today. We’re coming with.”
“Again, why?”
Johnny wiped away a non-existent tear. “Because our big brother is buying his first house. He’s so grown up.” He reached forward to grab Tanner’s shoulder. “How did he get so big?”
“Okay, okay, you can come as long as Johnny shuts up.” I shoved my bag through the window, letting it smack into Johnny’s chest before getting in.
The only person I’d told was my mom, but there were no such things as secrets in this family. After talking to a real estate agent and being told about the apartment shortage in Gulf City, I realized there was only one solution. I had to buy. As a teacher, I didn’t make much, but it was enough.
She’d actually laughed in my face when I said I wanted it near the beach. Even the house Rae rented with its small rooms and something-to-be-desired outdoor decor cost a small fortune.
I’d have to live on the outer edges of town, but that was okay as long as it was mine.
“Rae was at the shop last night.” Tanner looked sideways at me as he drove, trying to get a reaction.
But I had none. Soon, I’d only see Rae at family dinners, and I was okay with that. She didn’t like me, and it was never comfortable to be around someone like that.
Johnny leaned forward between the seats. “What I wouldn’t give to live with a woman like Rae.”
I put my hand over his face and shoved him back. Johnny may have been in his twenties, but he was still the baby of the family, and we’d never forget that. “Seat belt. Now.”
Johnny ignored me and leaned forward again.
Tanner chuckled. “Does baby bro have a thing for Rae Rae?”
The thought was ridiculous. “She’s out of your league,” I found myself saying.
Johnny scrunched his face in disgust. “Absolutely not. She’s like our sister. If one of us went there, it would practically be incest.”
Tanner lifted a brow. “She’s not actually our sister.”
“Would you date her?” Johnny asked.
