by Jaci Burton
“How disappointing. I mean, not for the kids, of course. But I was hoping you two would end up making out on your desk.”
Josie laughed. “I don’t think the principal would appreciate that.”
“Who cares what the principal appreciates? I would have appreciated it immensely.”
“I think you need a hot guy to come make out with you across your desk.”
“Don’t I ever.” Jillian waggled her brows.
“He’s out there for you somewhere.”
Jillian waved her hand. “Not looking for him. I’m busy.”
Josie sighed. “Aren’t we both. Which doesn’t mean I’d turn down some hot guy throwing me across anything and making out with me.”
Jillian pointed a finger at her. “See? You wouldn’t have turned down Zach throwing you across your desk.”
Josie laughed. “That wasn’t the topic of conversation at the time.”
“But you like him.”
“Yes, I like him. Most days, anyway. Just not this afternoon.”
They fortunately got off the topic of Zach and onto other things, mainly Loretta and Deacon’s deck party this weekend and what they were going to bring, food-wise. Then Josie left so Jillian could get back to work.
But she still stewed about Zach on the way home. He could be so sweet to her when they were all out with their friends. Today, though, he’d been hot.
Angry hot, not sexy hot.
Then again, angry hot could be sexy. Just not when the mad was directed at her.
Then again, at school, they had to be all business. Teenagers had the uncanny ability to zero in on any type of flirting or attraction.
Working with someone you were attracted to had its disadvantages. And she didn’t know how she was going to handle it. Because she and Zach had been dancing around each other for months now.
So far, nothing had happened between them other than friendly hanging out in groups with their mutual friends.
Maybe that was all it would ever be. But as she thought back, there’d been glances. And touches that felt like a lot more than just casual friendliness.
So maybe it wouldn’t be just friendship between them.
It wasn’t like she was looking for a relationship. The last one she’d been in had ended badly—really badly—and she wasn’t looking forward to wading in those waters again.
But still … Zach was impossibly tall and had great biceps. She really had a thing for biceps. Plus, he was incredibly good-looking, with dark hair and those steely gray eyes that could catch and hold her attention like nothing Josie had ever experienced. That man could make her melt faster than a stick of frozen butter in the hot August sun.
So maybe she’d just dip a toe in and test the waters.
She just wouldn’t go for a swim.
Chapter 2
* * *
IT HAD BEEN a tough Thursday. Zach had given a test in his American history class, and every kid had groaned about it as if they hadn’t known for a week the test was coming. In his other classes his students hadn’t been paying attention. Some days it seemed like all he was doing was talking to himself.
Anyone who thought teaching was easy should try it for just a day. It was always a challenge, but then you had that one good day when everything clicked and the kids really got it, and it made all the shit days worthwhile.
After he wrapped up practice for the day, he sat in his classroom with Paul and Chase, who were the only ones who hadn’t been grumbling at him this week. Not after he’d laid down the law with them on Monday. He’d pretty much told him they were going to get caught up on their assignments, they were going to do the reading and all the work, and he was going to check their work first. If it wasn’t good enough, they’d have to do it again.
He’d had conversations with their parents earlier in the week. Chase’s parents were horrified and told Zach he could do whatever needed to be done, and that Chase would spend the entire week and weekend at home getting caught up on all his schoolwork, and that “just passing” wasn’t good enough for them. Paul’s parents were a little less enthusiastic about academics other than wanting to make sure Paul stayed on the football team.
Since their assignments were due in to Josie by tomorrow, he stayed and read everything. Zach wouldn’t have considered anything they had written to be the best prose ever, but he hoped it was enough to get them up to a C grade.
By the time he’d finished with all of that, he needed a drink. He drove over to Bash’s bar, hoping for a nice juicy steak and a tall beer.
Since Bash had expanded the bar to include food service, the place had really picked up. The No Hope At All bar had always been a popular place for the drinking crowd. Now it catered to not only the bar crowd, but also couples and families.
Lou, Bash and Chelsea’s Chihuahua, greeted him with a tail wag when he came through the door.
“Hey, girl.” Zach crouched down to give Lou a few rounds of petting before Lou scurried off to chase after a couple of kids who were eating in the separate dining area outside, so Zach made his way up to the bar and pulled up a seat.
Bash was there and had just served a drink to a customer. He spotted Zach and smiled.
“Didn’t expect to see you here the night before a big game,” Bash said.
“I had a long day. I need a tall glass of beer. And a thick steak.”
Bash poured the beer and placed it in front of him. “I’ll get that steak ordered for you. Medium rare, with fries, right?”
Zach grinned. “You got it.”
While Bash was off putting in the order, Zach swiveled around on the barstool to check out the crowd.
He’d grown up in Tulsa, which was about thirty minutes from Hope. He’d been in Hope about a year, and he was getting to know a lot of people. He frequented Bash’s bar on a fairly regular basis, so some of the regulars looked familiar to him. He smiled and waved at a few people he knew.
The door opened, and Bash’s wife, Chelsea, walked in. She was pregnant, and she looked amazing, as always, her flaming red hair pulled into a high ponytail, her full-length dress flowing around her ankles as she walked. Normally, Chelsea wore those high heels that women seemed to like, but he noticed lately she’d changed to flat shoes. He couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to carry a baby and maintain your balance, though he knew women were capable of anything.
He also zeroed in on Josie coming in behind Chelsea, along with Jane Griffin. They were all teachers at Hope High, so it didn’t surprise him they’d hang out together. Plus, they were all part of the group of friends that Zach hung out with. He was friends with Bash, Chelsea’s husband, and Will Griffin, Jane’s husband.
Chelsea saw him and headed his way while the other women grabbed a table.
Josie smiled and waved, too. He waved back. He felt a little weird about their altercation at school the other day. Or maybe it had been more of a heated conversation, since it wasn’t like they had come to blows or anything.
“What’s up, Zach?” Chelsea asked.
“Not much. What are you up to?”
“About fifteen pounds more than I’d like to weigh right now, but, you know. Baby.”
He laughed. “You’re gorgeous, as always. But don’t tell Bash I said that or he might kick my ass.”
“Why do I need to kick your ass, Powers?” Bash asked as he reappeared behind the bar.
“Because Zach said I’m gorgeous despite being in my third trimester of pregnancy and feeling as big as a cruise ship.”
Bash’s lips lifted. “You get a pass, Zach. And yeah, you are gorgeous, babe.”
“I’d lean across the bar and kiss you, but … ugh.”
Bash stepped around the bar and pulled Chelsea into his arms, laying a hot one on her. The entire bar oohed and clapped.
Chelsea blushed. “You did that on purpose.”
Bash laughed. “I’ll always kiss you on purpose. I’ll send Monica over to the table to take your drink orders.”
&n
bsp; She sighed. “Okay. I’ll just float on over to the table. See you, Zach.”
“Later, Chelsea.”
Lou wandered in through the dog door and followed Chelsea to the table. Chelsea picked her up and set the dog on her lap. His gaze shifted back to Bash, who smiled.
“Yeah, she treats Lou like her kid.”
“Ready to add a baby to that?” Zach asked.
“Yes and no. The whole baby thing hit us like a tornado. But I’m so excited to meet our little girl.”
“I’ll bet you are.”
“Chelsea’s going to be an incredible mother. She keeps telling me she’s out of her element and she has no idea what she’s doing, but she’s more prepared than she gives herself credit for.”
Zach could see that. “She’s an incredible teacher. Her students love her. She’s relatable, she’s got a fun sense of humor, but at the same time, she knows when to draw the line with those kids. She’s going to be an amazing mother, Bash. And you’ll be a great dad.”
“Thanks for that. I’m just ready to hold the baby in my arms, to know she’s okay and she’s healthy, and to just … see her, ya know?”
“Yeah.” Having never had kids, Zach really had no idea. But he’d been around his brother and sister-in-law and his nephew, and the whole kid thing was pretty awesome. He could imagine the excitement and anticipation Bash felt. It had to be monumental. He could see himself wanting that, too.
Someday. When he found the right woman.
Right now, all he was interested in was getting through football season and winning State. His football team was his baby. He might have lost out on the chance to continue his pro career when he’d blown out his knee, but coaching these kids was the second career he’d never thought he’d have. Turned out he was a pretty damn good football coach. And hanging out with teenagers didn’t suck, especially teenage boys who loved football as much as he did. He’d spent last season sharpening them up and getting them focused and healthy and prepped.
It was a good team. A unified team. They were tough and formidable, and they could beat anyone.
As long as everyone played.
That part needed some work, apparently.
Despite the noise level in the bar, he zeroed in on the sound of Josie’s laughter. Bash had made his way over there. Jane’s husband, Will, had come in and was now sitting with them.
Since they were all his friends, normally he’d go over and join them.
So what was stopping him from doing that?
Maybe after he had his steak. After all, they were just drinking, and he didn’t want to eat in front of them.
Yeah, that was it.
Or maybe you’re avoiding Josie.
He frowned at his inner voice and swiveled around in his chair to check out the TV. There was a baseball game on, so he focused on that.
“Why aren’t you sitting with us?”
He looked up to find Josie standing next to him. She looked pretty—hell, she always looked pretty. Tonight, she had on a flowery long skirt and a black top, and she wore silver bangles on her wrists that made him want to touch her arm.
Not that she had to be wearing jewelry to make him want to touch her.
Plus, she smelled good, like some kind of seductive wildflower.
“I was watching the game.”
“You can do that with us.”
“I ordered a steak, and I didn’t want to eat in front of all of you.”
She slanted an exasperated look at him. “We’ve ordered food, too, Zach.” She laid her hand on his arm. “Come on. Sit with us.”
Obviously, he was being a standoffish jerk for no reason. He grabbed his beer. “Sure.”
He followed her to the table.
“Hey, buddy,” Will said. “I didn’t see you when I came in.”
“What’s up, Will?”
“Keeping the highways safe, as always.”
There was an empty chair next to Josie, so he sat there.
“Tell Zach about the lady you pulled over today,” Jane said. “Oh, and hi, Zach.”
“Hey, Jane. How are you feeling?”
Jane laid her hand over her belly. “Much better now that I’m through the first trimester. I don’t feel like barfing up everything I eat.” She winced and looked around. “Sorry I was so graphic.”
“Please,” Chelsea said. “Quit worrying. You’re in tough company. Dudes don’t care, and I definitely don’t since I’ve been through it. Unless Josie is squeamish.”
“Stomach like iron over here,” Josie said. “I don’t think you can be a teacher and have a weak stomach.”
Chelsea nodded. “Isn’t that the truth? I remember my first few weeks as a student teacher. One of the kids had the flu and puked all over his desk.”
“He couldn’t have raised his hand and asked to leave the room?” Jane asked.
“Come on, Jane,” Josie said. “That would have been too easy.”
Zach grinned. “At least it came out that end.”
Josie gave him a horrified look. “I don’t think I want to hear whatever horror story you have.”
“No, really, you don’t.”
“I dunno,” Bash said. “I might.”
“Let’s just say some students take their test taking very seriously,” Zach said. “Maybe too seriously.”
“Like maybe foregoing an urgent need to use the bathroom?” Will asked.
Zach nodded.
Chelsea wrinkled her nose. “Ew.”
Just then, their food arrived.
“On that gross topic, I’m going back to the bar,” Bash said with a grin. “Enjoy your dinner.”
Bash rubbed Chelsea’s shoulder, then disappeared.
“I guess we’ll find out just how ironclad that stomach of yours is, won’t we?” Zach asked.
Josie looked over at him. “You think stories like that bother me?”
“I don’t know. Do they?”
“I’m made of much stronger stuff than that.” She picked up her fork and dug into her fish.
“Strong stuff, huh?” Zach asked.
She swallowed and took a sip of her wine. “Yup.”
“I’ll have to test that theory sometime.”
She nodded. “Go for it.”
Zach enjoyed a good challenge, so he filed that away in the back of his mind. Will told them his highway story for the day, which had been forgotten earlier, and then they all launched into conversation. One of the reasons he liked his group of friends was the conversation. It always flowed from one person to the next. Everyone joined in, everyone was welcome, and it was always easy, as if they’d been friends forever.
“How’s the team, Zach?” Will asked after he swallowed a bite of his burger. “Game ready for tomorrow night?”
“Yeah. Are you all coming to the game?”
“We’ll be there,” Jane said. “Ryan and Tabby wouldn’t miss it, especially with Ryan playing football on the middle school team this year and Tabby cheerleading. Tabby will want to watch the high school cheerleaders. They’re like her personal heroes right now.”
“Loretta said she and Deacon were coming,” Chelsea said. “Hazel loves football.”
“Everyone loves football,” Bash said as he stopped back by. “Except for Chelsea.”
“Hey.” Chelsea tilted her head back and leaned against Bash. “I love football. Sort of. I’m learning to love it, aren’t I?”
Bash squeezed her shoulder. “You’re doing a great job.”
“I’ll have you know that I am fully aware that Hope High’s Eagles are undefeated in the three games they’ve played this season.”
Zach grinned at Chelsea. “See, Bash? She’s following the school team.”
“I’m impressed,” Bash said.
“It’s not like I can avoid knowing that. All the kids are buzzing about it. So we’re going to do a section on statistics in each of my math classes and start following the team and players. And maybe throw some pro football statistics in there as well
.”
“Ooh, that’s such a great idea,” Jane said. “I’m stealing your idea for my math classes.”
“Go right ahead.”
Zach loved the idea of Chelsea and Jane using football stats. “I like anything that tracks back to football,” Zach said. “Unfortunately, I don’t think I can make that work for my history classes.”
Josie laughed. “Unless you do the history of football.”
“I doubt that would fly with the administration.”
“Probably not.”
“Who wants refills?” Bash asked.
Zach did, and so did everyone else, so Bash waved the server over, and then he left to return to the bar.
“What about you, Josie?” Zach asked.
“What about me?”
“How can you weave football into your language arts classes?”
“I can’t. Unless we read some books on some athletes who played football.”
“How about a biography on Jim Thorpe?” Jane suggested.
Josie’s eyes brightened. “Now, that’s an outstanding idea. Native American, Oklahoman, Olympian, pro football player. There’s a lot to study.”
“So many discussion points,” Zach said. “He even played a college football game against future president Dwight D. Eisenhower.”
Josie got out her phone and started typing in some notes. “You’re so right. I’m going to look up some books and make a curriculum adjustment. I think my students would be fascinated and, you’re right, Zach. So many discussion points.” She looked up at him. “Maybe I could even get some of your players interested in reading a book about Jim Thorpe.”
Zach nodded. “If my players aren’t interested in a biography about Thorpe, I’m kicking them off the team.”
Will laughed. “Let me know how that goes.”
“Oh, he’s just mad because a couple of his players are on probation and I put them there.”
“Oh yeah?” Will asked.
“That’s about to change,” Zach said. “I read their papers.”
Josie put her phone back in her purse. “So they’re caught up?”
“They are. Their writing isn’t Hemingway or anything, but hopefully it’s good enough. Their assignments will be on your desk in the morning.”
