Be My Game Changer: A Sports Romance(10)

“That’s not necessary. I’m sure Mr. Barlowe will benefit exponentially from touring with you, or perhaps he can engage in a self-guided tour.”

“Nonsense. It’s no trouble at all. When is your free period?” my principal asks me, and I know Carter has successfully enlisted me as his stupid tour guide of Canaan Falls West High School whether I want to participate or not.

“Next period, sir,” I grit out.

Principal Newman glances at his watch. “Perfect. There’s about ten minutes until the bell. I can watch the room until then.”

“Oh, no. That’s okay.” Our school’s leader has completely lost his mind, so I look to Carter. “I’ll just catch up in a few.” Go on, git, as my granddaddy used to say. Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.

“I’ll just hang out here and watch you in action.” And then this jerk winks at me.

I only thought I wanted to deck him in the nose before. Now, it’s tenfold as he strolls to the back of the room and takes a seat at an empty desk that is too small for his large frame—beside E.J. of all students.

“Wonderful,” I mutter under my breath, knowing the next ten minutes are going to feel longer than the nine innings of baseball I sat through.

“Be sure and stop by my office before you head out.” Principal Newman exits the room, leaving me with a class where all eyes are pointed at Carter in the rear of the room.

“Okay. Where were we?” Because I have no freakin’ clue. Looking around, I see most of the attention has stayed glued on Carter. There’s no way I’ll be able to teach with him in the room. “Since class is almost over, let’s take some quiet time to get started on homework.” And for me to get a grip.

Quickly, I grab my phone from the drawer of the desk I sit behind.

Me: Change of plans. Bring something stronger than wine.

Bodie: Um. Why? Did a student ask for your autograph or something?

Me: Carter Barlowe is HERE.

Bodie: What? Why?

Me: I don’t know. He wants a tour of campus and Newman is apparently a big fan of his.

Bodie: Okay. Let me know how it goes. I’ll be at the liquor store if you need anything else.

There’s nothing there that can help me deal with Carter right now. Unless there’s a time machine he could find me. I’d go back and say no to that stupid game in a heartbeat. As if he knows I’m thinking about him, I look up to meet an amused expression on Carter’s face as he stares at me. Ballsy.

Yes. He’s definitely won this round, and we both know it because there’s no way I can run off and get away from him. And I’ll be damned if part of me doesn’t want to stick around to find out if there’s something under that arrogant grin, anyway.





8





CARTER





This has turned out to be even better than I expected as I watch her across the room. The principal was too happy to sign me in as a guest and had no problem ushering me right to her classroom. The shock on her face was priceless. But now, it looks more like loathing. Feisty. I can work with that.

E.J. leans over and whispers, “You should shoot your shot too. She’s really cool for a teacher.”

“I’m not sure it would go well.”

“Probably not.” He snickers and glances over to Avery as she does her best to avoid looking in my direction. There’s an obvious connection between her and the kid. He’s definitely the class clown and probably a tad of a troublemaker, but she seems to be on his good side. That says a lot. And so does his assessment of my father. He won me over right away by seeing straight through the bullshit of the dog and pony show my father puts on.

“She’s not like the other teachers. She’s better.” The kid speaks with a heartfelt sincerity that makes me want to get to know everything about her and learn firsthand how she earned his respect.

“So, you play ball?” I ask.

“I used to, but work has to come first now.” E.J. shakes his head.

Work? He can’t be more than fifteen or sixteen years old. And it’s moments like this that I feel like a prick for not appreciating the luxuries that I was provided by my father even if they came with their own price. “Well, maybe if you have some time off, you can come to a game.”

His face immediately lights up, and I’m already making a mental note to get him tickets. “Really? That’d be amazing. I promise to not read or sleep during the game.” His reassurance is convincing and hilarious as he nods happily.

“Thanks, bud.”

We chat baseball until the bell rings, then he instructs me not to screw up with Ms. W before walking over to her. The other students rise out of their seats, some waving, some plain old staring at me until they all eventually make their way out to the hallway, leaving me and Avery in the empty classroom.

“What are you doing here?” Her tone is flat, but I see the frustration in her posture as she rises from her desk and folds her arms over her chest.

“You visited me at work, figured I’d return the favor.” I can’t help but enjoy her growing frustration. I relish in it when she gives up her calm demeanor and throws her hands in the air.

“You’re a baseball player. An audience is part of the job description for you. It’s not in mine. How did you find out where I worked, anyway?”