Page 81 of Free Heart
Sejin
For someone whohas always been so hung up on the purity of his motivations, Dan takes to being a local celebrity like a duck to water—but only so long as Sailor is by his side. For the most part, when they’re together, Dan sits there looking smug and lets her do all the chatting to the fans.
But when he’s alone, or he’s with me, the approach of people makes him nervous. I point this out to him while we’re outside Tater Tots with the last of the kids waiting to be retrieved by their parents.
Lowell dropped Dan off about twenty minutes earlier after their self-designed and executed “physical therapy” session at the local gym. Now he waits outside with me as the parents drive up and hustle their kids into cars.
“You do realize that Mrs. Hunter is a fan of yours, right? She’s been flirting with you in the comments of your videos all month.”
“Who?” Dan’s bundled up just like me in warm winter clothes, but I can tell by the way he’s rubbing at his thigh that his whole leg is aching. Earlier, I encouraged him to go inside, but he insists he’s tired of being cooped up and wants to stay with me to grab a breath of fresh air.
I straighten his scarf for him, keeping one eye on Byron and Ada as they use some long sticks to “sweep” the snow. Hopefully their dad will show soon.
“Mrs. Hunter. The woman you brushed off when she stopped to talk to you. Holland’s mom.”
“So?”
“So, you don’t want to alienate a fan, do you? Hasn’t Sailor been coaching you on how to respond?”
Dan frowns. “I’m selling authenticity, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I authentically wanted her to go away.”
I press my lips together to keep from laughing. I admit that I like how Dan keeps his charm put aside just for me most of the time. When he and Sailor first started getting attention around town, I was a little nervous the “fame” would change him. But he’s the same as he’s always been.
“Besides, Sailor says that keeping my distance turns me into a hot commodity.”
“I don’t think she meant for you to be rude to anyone.”
Dan shrugs.
“Sejin?” Heather’s voice comes from behind me. “Let’s chat—you, me, and Dan—before you head out, alright?”
I nod, my stomach instantly knotting, and a wave of anxiety unfurls, making me sweat.
Is Heather going to let me go? As far as I know, she’s still satisfied with my class here, and it’s not like she even pays me herself. The parents do. Still, I can’t think of anything else she’d want to talk with me about… But surely she wouldn’t purposely fire me in front of my boyfriend? That seems cruel.
Soon enough Byron and Ada’s father turns up, settling them into the vehicle. He’s mustachioed and bulky, and I notice him sending a quick admiring glance back at Dan. Another fan, then.
Dan uses one crutch to navigate his way into the building, putting plenty of weight on his leg for strength-building. He follows me to Heather’s office. Seating us across from her desk, she proceeds to present a happy and incredibly enthusiastic smile.
So, I’m not getting fired then. Thank God, because we really need the money.
“Dan, I’m glad you’re here since this concerns you.”
“Me?”
She nods. “It’s almost Christmas, and I think it’s time we circle back around to my idea of a talent show to benefit your GoFundMe.”
“Circle back around? When did we talk about it the first time?” Dan asks.
Heather blinks in surprise, so I clear my throat and explain, “I never mentioned it to him.”
“Oh?” Heather eyes flicker with hurt. I probably should have at least thought about her offer a time or two since she made it, but I’ve been distracted and busy. She rallies immediately and starts to tell Dan all about it herself. “I know you’ve both been overwhelmed since your climbing mishap.”
Dan snorts, and I kick his good leg, hoping he doesn’t say anything rude about her polite euphemism for his fall.
