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Miles smiles when he notices it’s me, but Brandon just gives me a bored look, turning his attention back to Mr. Rodgers. I roll my eyes, not at anyone in particular, but just because he pisses me off, and the action somehow makes me feel better.
We shuffle into seats, Scarlet next to Miles, then me, so we can listen to what Jerry has to say.
“Thank you all for joining me. As you all know, your department is very important to our school, and we rely heavily on you for our excellent reputation. This year will be no different. And with the recent additions to our team of you, Coach Lewis, and Miss Harper bringing a fresh edge to our dance and cheer, I think this year might just be our best yet.” He addresses us with a cocky satisfaction; he knows what trophies mean for the school. I have recently found out about donations being made from parents who want their superstar kids attending our school. I’m certain that's why I’m here, to make sure we are number one this year.
Mr. Rodgers is an interesting man, looks almost out of place in charge of a high school. I could see him more as a used-car salesman or something, with his slicked hair and protruding belly.
I glance at Scarlet, and she gives me a sideways smirk. We have big plans that we’re excited about ourselves. I’m nothing if not an overachiever, and since having my professional dancing dreams squished, I had lost a lot of my motivation, but having a new goal to work toward is igniting a fresh spark within me.
“So, with that in mind, I’ve decided to send two of you to a teaching conference in Austin for four days.” He smiles at the four of us, too many teeth showing, and all I can think is please, dear God, don’t let it be me and Brandon. My heart’s pounding a little faster in my chest already. There are six combination possibilities here. Let it be any of those except us together. “And since both Cassandra and Brandon are new to our team, I think it would be beneficial if they were the ones we sent this year.” He gives Scarlet a nod, like there is some private conversation passing between the two of them. I’ll kill her if she is behind this.
I sink down in my chair, my pulse racing so fast I can hear it in my ears. This is the worst-case scenario; I can’t be away with him for any period of time. He can’t be away with me. Working at the same school is only barely tolerable, and I survive that every day by avoiding him. But if we’re stuck together with no one else, away...
My skin breaks out into a hot sweat, and I wring my sweaty hands. The impending panic attack is only seconds away. I try to practice my deep breathing, searching for some control here. The others talk around me, but all I can do is focus on “in for three, out for three.” My breathing calms enough for me to concentrate on the rest of them again, and I push away the thoughts of what that could mean and find my voice.
“No, I can’t. I have only just started to teach the girls my new routine, and we have our first dance competition in six weeks.” My voice is louder than I intended, and I practically yell the words at the four of them. The idea of being alone with Brandon scares me that much. All eyes come to me again, and I want to shrink back. I wish I wasn’t so loud right now. But shit, the rest of them were just sitting there. Why didn’t he say something? He’s the coach, the one everyone respects and listens to. Where’s his protest? I glare at him, hoping he will back me up. He needs to fucking back me up.
“I have to agree with Miss Harper. The boys need their coach around with preseason games starting soon,” Brandon agrees. About time. I would have thought he had some say in this, but looks like he was just as blindsided as me, so I guess not.
Scarlet’s hand comes to mine with a squeeze, bringing my awareness to the tremble of my hand. She must see how this is working me up, and I realize I was probably more forceful and upset than I meant to be. “It’s okay, Cassandra, I know how seriously you’re taking the dance comp and making sure the girls’ choreography is perfect, but this is just four days, and two of them will be the weekend. And the timing really is perfect because we don’t have games started yet. I can cover any rehearsals you’ll miss. This is a wonderful opportunity for you as a new teacher.” She smiles and offers me an encouraging motherly nod. I give her a look, my eyes wide, like no, this is not something I want to do. Why is she helping with this?
“I can take care of training as well. This shouldn’t be an issue,” Miles agrees. I wouldn’t say he looks happy about the situation, but he is happy enough to comply, and he earns a glare from me. Not that he would understand why. I haven’t told him or Scarlet what is really going on between me and Brandon and the history we share. But now I wish I had, maybe they could have helped stop this.
Mr. Rodgers claps his hands together. “It’s settled then. I will have the administration staff email you the itinerary, as we don’t have a lot of time to plan. You will leave in a week. I’m excited to see what the two of you learn while you’re there. You should try to make the most of it. Opportunities like this don’t come around all that often.” He looks between us, and I get a sinking feeling creep in.
I can’t be left alone with Brandon. No one cares how I feel, so I scream internally. I don’t want to be alone with him. Only bad things can come from that. Why are they all conspiring against me when I’m trying with everything I have to stay away? I look anywhere but at Brandon. He doesn't need to see the fear in my eyes. I can’t show him how badly he destroyed me.
“That concludes our meeting. Bring home the trophies for me, team. There is a lot riding on the four of you, but I know you're up for the challenge.” He strides from the room as if proud of his pep talk. I stare at the back of him in disbelief. He has just joined my shit list of men in this school who I despise.
I’m so frustrated, I hate when decisions are made for me. It makes me feel weak and small, and maybe I am. I try with all I have to control my life, but it never works. Every time I get comfortable and think I will finally be okay again, the rug is pulled from underneath me.
BRANDON
SCARLET CHASES AFTER JERRY, calling his name, which leaves me, Miles, and Cassandra in the common room. Four days in Austin with Shortcake. A small smile crosses my face at the thought. And I’m not even really sure why. The idea of it seems impossible. I can barely be in the same school as her without letting myself slip back into old habits, imagining what it would be like if we found a dark corner of the school to entertain the dirty thoughts I have on the regular. It seems impossible, but if we are so far away together, she will hardly be able to ignore me all weekend, so maybe I’m being given a chance. One I don’t plan on messing up like the last one.
She made it abundantly clear at the movie night that she wants nothing to do with me, got the hell away from me as fast as she could. I know it was only because she’s scared of the depth of her feelings for me, because for a split second when our lips met, I knew it was exactly what she wanted. She’s fighting her attraction to me, still trapped in the past and our poor choices, but she doesn’t need to be. I lost just as much as she did back then. But I have managed to come through it and move on with my life. She needs to do the same, and just maybe, we can move on together.
“See you at the back field for training,” Miles calls to me, leaving the room because I haven’t moved. And I won't until I talk to her.
“Yeah, I’ll catch up with you,” I tell him. Looking in Cassandra’s direction, I see she hasn’t left her seat either. She’s just staring into space, a blank expression on her pretty features. For once in her life, she looks lost. She’s quiet, her confidence gone. It’s clear she doesn’t want this; her protest was pretty strong against it. But she hasn’t thought it through properly.
When Miles is completely out of sight, her eyes rise to meet mine. “Don’t even think of coming anywhere near me at that damn conference. We may be forced to spend four days in the same location together, but it doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it or have anything to do with you while I’m there. And it doesn’t give you free rein to try anything again.” Her words are clipped and there is a tremble to her voice. She’s totally freaked out by this.
Her features are full of tension, her eyes cold, brow furrowed, her cheeks flushed with angry heat, her lips forming a fine line. I almost feel sorry for her—until she opens her mouth, and her words are filled with so much hatred for me that the pity evaporates.
“You won’t have to worry about that, Shortcake. I have no intention of spending any more time with you than I have to. Should be a fun weekend, though, these things often have an open bar at the end of the day. And lots of single teachers looking to let loose. I plan on making the most of it, you should too.” I don’t know why I say it, but the need to irritate her further, push her buttons, and see what kind of reaction I’m going to get is just too irresistible to stop myself.
Her eyes flick back to me, furious. “Oh, don’t you worry about me. I know how to have fun of my own,” she spits, and I guess that was the desired effect I was chasing. She is nothing if not predictable.
I give her a smirk. “I’m sure you do, Shortcake.”
The darkness in her eyes returns, and she stands, hands on her hips. "Stop acting like you know me. Gah, just stop everything!" She throws her hands up in the air, spins on her heel, and stalks from the room, her mane of red locks flowing behind her.
Angry Shortcake is sexy as hell, and I don’t regret pushing her. She thinks four days away with me is going to be a fate worse than death, but I think deep down she’s really going to enjoy it. And truth is, I didn’t fight it with Jerry because I want this. Time away from school, with her, is just what I need to show her there is something still here between us. Something she’s denying us both because she’s scared. Of exactly what, I don’t know, her dad maybe? I know I used to be. But things are different now. I’m different now. And whatever it is between us, we are going to have plenty of time to work through it, whether she wants to or not. Because we are long overdue for a real chat about the past, not one where she’s intoxicated like the other night.
I want some proper answers, and I’m not letting her leave until I get to the bottom of why she hates me with everything she has. I think she owes me that, at least.
CHAPTER EIGHT
