Page 86 of Can’t Say No

“None of your business,” I snap. “Fifteen minutes until the bell. Let's keep it silent until then and get these essays done, okay?”

He retreats, along with the rest of the class, behind their laptops. I ought to get up and walk between their desks, make sure they’re actually working on their essays. But the heaviness in my chest has me glued behind my desk.

I think I broke my own heart.

I got my hopes up. After she performed our song, I assumed she’d call. It’s been a week since The Valley and I haven’t heard a damn thing.

“Hey,” Caroline says in a loud whisper, popping her head through my classroom door. “Come out here for a sec.”

I throw a death glare at the class, silently daring them to talk, and slip out the door.

“What’s up?” I grumble.

“Crane wants to know if you’ve heard from her.”

Her.

We can’t even speak Delaney’s name now.

“Nope. And I doubt I will. By the looks of things, she’s not coming back. Tell Crane that.”

“Looks of things?” Caroline questions.

“Her Instagram stories. Seems like she’s pretty settled out in L.A.”

Caroline’s jaw drops. “Connor. Rule number one of a breakup, don’t check socials.”

I shrug. “Don’t know if this counts as a breakup. Don’t know if we were ever really together.”

Caroline rolls her eyes. “Okay, damn, Mr. Dark and Twisty. You’ve been spending too much time with Wells. Come out with me to Eddy’s tonight. You need a girl’s night.”

I grunt, then catch myself.

I really do sound like Wells.

“Yeah, okay. Thank you. Sorry,” I let out a shaky breath. “It’s just been a lot harder to lose her a second time.”

Caroline smiles a sad smile and gives my arm a squeeze. “I’m sorry, Connor.”

And I know she means it.

The rest of the day passes in a blur. I try to let myself catch some of the student’s energy, or at the very least, keep my sour mood from dampening theirs.

This is what I love about Ridgecrest. Our school is small enough to feel like a family. There’s always been an air of fun, like nothing is that serious. Our seniors aren’t too cool, and the freshmen have a confidence that I’m jealous of. It’s this intangible magic that tethers me here. Even Mrs. Rutledge, with all her diatribes and monologues, is about as good of a boss as they come.

How could I leave this?

My dad doesn’t understand. He might not say it, but I know he sees my job at Ridgecrest High as a distraction from the more important work at the orchard. In his mind, teaching is impactful, borderline noble, but keeping the family dream alive is legacy work.

And Delaney clearly doesn’t understand the draw to stay at Ridgecrest either.

Tonight, Eddy’s is a shit hole.

The floor is sticky, the music sucks, and the fries are suffering from a bad case of freezer burn. Caroline isn’t here yet, Vic is late for her shift, and the current bartender on duty, a trendy-looking guy barely out of his teens named Franklin, keeps walking by me without taking my order.

Eddy’s is a shit hole and the universe is out to get me.

Either that, or everything sucks a little without Delaney.