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My brow furrows. “Do you know who—”
Roy laughs loudly, interrupting me. “It was a joke,” he says.
“It’s not funny,” I grouch. But I can’t get past Mason’s remark. I hold the ball with one hand, resting it on my hip, and peer at the kid. “I think you’re confused. He behaves like Casanova because he considers himself a gift to women. Like when he hit on me.” I scoff out a humorless laugh. “But Mason, Roy acting like a bullying baboon is not an example of Casanova.”
“Aw, snap.” Mason’s eyes go wide. He has heard one thing. “You hit on Miss Benson, Roy?” The freshman bellows with a laugh, and those around us join him.
Roy’s lips lift in what I think is supposed to be a smile. He sniffs, trying to play it cool. But I’m not falling for it.
I sigh. “Okay, guys. Enough.” With the ball stuffed under one arm, I set my free hand on my hip. “Just lay off. All right, Roy?”
“Whatever you say, Olivia.” His brows rise, and he winks at me before stalking off.
It’s a reaction I don’t understand. But then, I don’t think I will ever speak teenage boy.
“Miss Benson?” A junior girl whose name I can’t recall stands in front of me.
I toss the ball to Mason and turn back to her. “Yes?” My jaw tightens. Anyone calling me Miss feels way too formal.
She runs one hand through her dark hair. “Who was Casanova?”
“Oh.” The tension rolls out of my shoulders. This, I can answer. Where did basketball originate? would have baffled me. “You’ve never learned about Casanova?”
She shakes her head.
“He was a famous womanizer.”
She smirks. “So, he’s like a real guy?”
“Oh yeah. He was from Venice. He wrote an autobiography all about his life and his many loves. He’s known as the world’s greatest lover.”
Her eyes widen, skirting playfully to her friend. “Wow. Where’d you learn that?”
I lift one shoulder. “I read,” I say. I can’t recall the exact place I learned about Casanova but I’m guessing a book was involved.
The girl titters. “I’d read about him too.” Her friend giggles along with her.
I watch the pair, feeling lighter in the moment. Even helping Mason hadn’t been terrible. Terrifying and nerve-wracking, sure. But I got Roy off his back.
I’m very aware that Roy keeps one eye on me the rest of the class period. He will be off to college in the fall. I helped with his paperwork. And I think it will be the best thing for him. I don’t need to stress about putting him in his place. Soon, the big wide world will do it.
Yikes—I’ve only been working here a week and already I sound like an assistant principal.
Back in the office, Rachel crosses one leg, bouncing it over her knee. “How’d it go?”
I swallow. Rachel is a woman that shouldn’t be encouraged… “It wasn’t… awful.”
“Wonderful.” She peers back to her computer screen. “Mr. Ice needs you to substitute for him on Monday and Tuesday.”
“What?” I choke on the word. “Rachel, no. That’s too much. Gym is one thing; I don’t know how to teach.”
“You’re subbing. You’ll be fine. Jamie will have lesson plans for you.” She waves her hand like a music conductor. “You just follow the plans. Get here half an hour before school starts so you can look things over. It’s extra pay, lucky duck.”
“Lucky? No. Rachel—”
She holds up a finger. “Oh, and Logan called. He wants to know how class went.” She glances away from her computer to flutter her lashes at me.
I press my lips together, silent. But Rachel only giggles.
