“Yeah.” He stared at my lips.
Energy pulsed between us, and the connection from Christmas trees snapped back into focus, like it never left. I met his eyes as he stared into mine.
The moment stretched and pulled. The corner of his mouth raised up into a smile.
“You better be frickin’ joking me.” Jessica growled as she pushed Adam’s shoulder. “Is this why you haven’t been returning my calls?” She gestured to me.
The gym lights flipped on, and my body flinched at her anger.
Adam closed his eyes. “No, look, Jessica,” he turned toward her. “I was trying to stock upMom’s firewood last time.”
“Mmm Hmmm.” She scowled.
“I promise.” He shifted closer to her.
I stared at the ground, my hands feeling clammy on my lap. Then my class came off the bleachers.Hallelujah, a distraction.“I better go,” I called over my shoulder as I rushed toward my class.
“Okay, kids, if you have parents here, you can go say hi. When the bell rings, we are going to meet by the exit sign.” I pointed to the green sign above the door. Some started to run. “Wait, where are we meeting?” Several kids pointed up to the sign and repeated the instructions, half ran off. I shook my head and shrugged.
Danny came over to me. “I remembered the actions this time!” He fist-pumped and looked over my shoulder.
“You did great!” I put my hand up for a high-five. “I’m so glad you decided to come.” I would have been heartbroken if we were singing and Danny was sitting in the classroom sad.
He nodded. “Me too. Where’s my dad?”
So much for ignoring Adam and Jessica. I turned to point to where we were seated, but Adam was now a few feet behind me.
“Oh!” I placed a hand over my heart. “I guess he is right here.” My eyebrows lowered, my stomach turning sour from the image of him leaning toward Jessica and talking to her.
No, I wouldn’t let it.
Because you and Adam are just friends. He is a parent to one of your students, I reminded myself. Plus, I had no idea if there was something with Jessica. If so I would feel like a jerk. Also I would feel like Adam is a jerk. How dare he look at me like that if he is dating Jessica!Don’t be weird. I took a deep breath.It’s not like you’re dating or something.
Ugh! I was getting a headache.
I closed my eyes.
Danny ran up and gave Adam a big hug. Adam’s body stiffened in shock and then his face lit up as his eyes met mine.
“Nice job, Champ!” He ruffled his hair. “I’mso proud of you.” Adam leaned toward me and whispered, “So, is the neurodivergent one basketball or football?”
I raised my right shoulder. “I don’t think it matters.”
His eyebrows lowered in thought as he slowly nodded. “Could we talk more later?”
Did he mean he wanted to talk about Danny and neurodivergent things? I mean, that was probably totally what he meant. “Sure.” He kept looking at me, and I wasn’t sure what to do with my hands, so I reached over and rubbed Danny’s back. “I’m so glad you came to the performance, Danny. Everyone was so happy to see you.”
He showed his big gap-tooth grin as the bell rang. I sighed in relief, grateful for the reason to add distance between Adam and me.
“Ms. Faith’s class,” I called over the voices, “to the exit sign, please.”
Danny grabbed Adam’s hand in his. “Can you walk me back to class?”
“Sure, Champ.”
Danny stepped up next to me and grabbed my hand with his free one. “Sorry I threw your hat, Ms. Faith.”
I looked into his blue eyes. “Hey, it’s okay, Danny.” I raised my eyebrows. “It’s not okay to throw,” I said, “but it’s okay to get overwhelmed.” I squeezed his small hand in mine. “We’ll just have to come up with some different?—”
