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“Have you tried asking her what she wants?”
Mya’s brows knitted together. “What do you mean?”
“Like you said, she’s had her whole world tipped on its side. And everyone’s so eager to fix things for her, but has anyone stepped back and bothered to ask what she wants?”
Surprise shone in Mya’s eyes. “You know, you ever want to quit football, I could use an extra pair of hands in the guidance counsellor’s office.”
“You’re joking, right?” I didn’t know the first thing about giving advice and guidance.
“I’m serious, Xander. After everything you’ve been through, I think the kids could really benefit from having someone who understands what it’s like.”
“What it’s like?” I asked, choosing to focus on that rather than the fact it sounded like she was offering me a job.
“Yeah,” her expression softened, “being an outsider, trying to find your place in the world.” I didn’t like the way she looked at me, through me, as if she saw straight past my defenses.
“I’m not that guy, Mya.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. I really think—”
“Mrs. Bennet, can I have a minute please?” A student chose the perfect moment to interrupt.
“Sure, Terri, what’s up?”
“Can we… uh… go inside?” The girl motioned to Mya’s office.
“Sure. Go right in and I’ll be there. Sorry,” Mya said to me. “Looks like duty calls.”
“It’s fine. I need to get back anyway.”
“What I said… It’s just another option, no pressure.” She gave me a warm smile before disappearing back into her office. I didn’t speak to Mya a lot, sometimes in passing and at the occasional gathering I attended with my brother and Jase, but that had to be one of the strangest conversations I’ve ever had.
I wasn’t guidance counselor material. I barely had my own life on track. Not to mention the fact I was thinking highly inappropriate things about one of her students.
Shaking the thoughts from my head, I continued on to the cafeteria, only to walk straight into Kaiden, Bryan, and Gav.
“So the rumors are true then?” I said to Bryan, noting the bruise along his jaw.
“Why don’t you ask that fucker Farrow,” he grumbled.
“I thought I warned you not to do anything stupid.” My brow arched.
“Yeah, well, you didn’t hear what he was saying to Peyton.”
My spine went rigid. “So you were fighting over a girl.”
“Not just any girl, Coach, and you know it.” His eyes met mine, and for a second, I wondered if Bryan knew more than he let on. But there was no way… I was just being paranoid, it was just because he was aware I knew her outside of school.
“You’re lucky Coach Ford isn’t making you sit out Saturday’s game,” I said, knowing full well that Jase would fight tooth and nail to keep his best defensive tackle in the starting lineup.
“He started it,” Bryan protested.
“Yeah, but you should have known better,” Gav gave him a pointed look. “Farrow is a real piece of work, but he isn’t worth getting benched for.”
Bryan ran a hand through his hair, glancing up at me, and I knew exactly what he was thinking. Sean Farrow wasn’t worth it, but Peyton was.
I knew because I was thinking exactly the same thing.
She’d been with Farrow Saturday night; she’d been drunk with him.
