Page 23 of Chasing Callie

Chuckling, I shake my head. “The T-rex is the original dino king. I don’t know if a made-up dinosaur could beat it.”

“Yeah, but the Indominus is part velociraptor. It’s smart.”

I squint at him and open the door, holding it for him. “You know, you kind of look like you’re part raptor.”

He rolls his eyes. “No I don’t.”

The air conditioning hits me, and I sigh. The fully functioning AC units were a big upgrade when they built the new building ten years ago. I don’t know how anyone could teach without it. I’d go crazy, and my second graders would probably love that. I follow Tommy into the building. Summer school might be a necessity, but convincing kids to spend their vacation indoors is its own special challenge.

It’s up to the teachers to make it fun.

The hallway hums with the sound of sneakers squeaking against the floor and children’s voices bouncing off lockers. I high-five a few students on my way to the cafeteria, where chaos is spawned. Most horror movies have it all wrong. It’s not some grown dude in a mask that’s scary. A hundred kids full of sugar?

That’s terrifying.

“Mr. Williams! Jason put a frog in my backpack!” A girl with pigtails tugs on my arm right before I reach the cafeteria door.

I keep walking, gently leading her alongside me. “Did you thank him for the free pet?”

“Ew, no!” Her face scrunches in disgust before breaking into a giggle. “Mr. Williams! Frogs can’t be pets.”

“Are you sure?” I shake my head. “Maybe that’s why all my frogs run away.”

She giggles some more.

I smile. “Let’s find your backpack and relocate your amphibian friend, shall we?”

The cafeteria doors swing open to reveal organized mayhem. Tables have been set up around the perimeter. One is piled with colorful lunchboxes and water bottles, another with name tags waiting to be claimed. The snack station is already being circled by hungry kids like sharks scenting blood. See? Terrifying.

My gaze immediately finds Callie. She stands with her back to me, her dark hair pulled into a ponytail. She’s wearing jeans and a loose t-shirt that somehow still manages to hug her curves in all the right places. Ten years and my body still responds like I’m seventeen and in love with my best friend who’s a year older than me.

Aspen pops up next to her, clipboard in hand and a huge grin. Always the ray of sunshine, that one, but I prefer thunderclouds and rain. My gaze strays back to Callie. They’re deep in conversation, heads bent together, and I find myself moving toward them without conscious thought. Frogs all but forgotten.

Callie turns, catches my gaze, and freezes. For one heartbeat, everything else disappears. It’s me and those hazel eyes I’ve dreamed about for years. She blinks and looks away. The moment shatters. Reality comes crashing into me.

We’re so far from where we used to be.

“I need something to do,” she tells Aspen, voice thin.

“Parents are starting to arrive and those waiver forms still need signatures.” Aspen points, her eyes darting between us with poorly disguised interest.

“On it.” Callie practically runs away.

I force myself to turn away, to do my damn job. I help extract the frog and carry him to safety. Then I help a little boy with his name tag, check in with a group of my students huddled around the books I set out yesterday, but my awareness never leaves her. Every movement, every laugh, every time she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. . . I catch it all from the corner of my eye like some love-sick teenager.

Pull it together, Brax.

A parent catches me to discuss her son’s reading progress, and I nod along, offering reassurances while watching Callie work the room. She’s always been good with people. She has a natural charm that makes everyone feel like they’re the most important person in any space she occupies. Right now, she’s helping a dad figure out the waiver form while his daughter clings to his leg. He eyes her like he’s hungry and she’s his next snack.

Like fucking hell. When I finally catch a break, I make my way over as she’s finishing up.

I give the guy a pointed look. “How’s the wife, Mr. Carter?” My gaze slips to the ring on his finger.

He narrows his eyes. “Fine. Thanks for asking.”

I smirk, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Tell her I said hi.”

Scowling at me, he nods. Oh he’s pissed, but what did he expect? Callie would never go for a married man. He’s a creep. There’s no way I’m letting him near my girl.