Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 111089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 555(@200wpm)___ 444(@250wpm)___ 370(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111089 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 555(@200wpm)___ 444(@250wpm)___ 370(@300wpm)
He looked like a real fucking nerd.
In the best sort of ways.
And that same charm he’d shown me earlier seemed to be working on the other kids too.
After that comment, he only looked my way occasionally, as we both seemed to silently acknowledge our initial exchange.
When the bell rang, I intentionally lingered behind so that, if he wanted a moment to discuss our encounter, we would have a little privacy.
“So,” he said as I passed his desk, fully prepared to keep on walking if he hadn’t said anything.
“Yes, James?” I teased with a wink, hoping he would take it in the playful spirit I’d intended.
“Apparently, I was making a bigger idiot of myself earlier than just falling into a puddle.”
“It looked a little more like rolling into it.”
His cheeks turned pink, and he lowered his head, looking up through his glasses, his beautiful brown eyes set on me. His dirty-blond hair was styled in a fresh crew cut, the slightest of cowlicks poking out at the crown of his head. The bangs were a little longer than the rest of the cut and somewhat disheveled—I couldn’t tell if it was from his tumble earlier or from how he’d run his hand through his hair occasionally, a nervous tic I’d noticed while he was going over the syllabus. A thin layer of scruff accented his jawline, clearly as well cared for as the body I’d seen on him earlier. A man didn’t have a bod like that without spending some hardcore time at the gym.
I couldn’t help admiring the way he filled out the shirt he wore, certain several of the other students had appreciated this whole beefy nerd look he had going on. Like a dirty-blond Clark Kent. Mmm…
No, I didn’t have an issue admiring a sexy man. Or fucking one for that matter.
“It’s all good. Shit happens,” I said. “I was meeting up with my boy Ben—”
“Another student, I’m guessing?”
I laughed. “Yeah, that’s right. He was supposed to be helping a teacher, so I showed up to give them a hand. But looks like it worked out. Maybe the universe sent me to save the day.”
“Still, I should have been a little more mindful and considered that.”
“Don’t worry. You aren’t the first person to mistake me for a teacher. Miss Kritch did the same thing last year at a town hall event, and it was a little more…inappropriate, if you get what I mean.”
He laughed, but then made a face like he knew he probably shouldn’t have.
“Well, since we are now teacher and student, do you mind if I ask why you were tardy to class?”
“Oh, yeah. I was taking a cigarette break.”
“What?” His entire demeanor transformed in an instant.
“Man, that was a joke. I just sort of spaced at lunch, and then I wound up being a little late. And now I’m here.”
He appeared viscerally relieved.
“Sorry. Not everyone can read my sense of humor. Gets me into trouble sometimes. And you can see why.”
“I really can,” he said with an uneasy chuckle. “I saw a Kyle on the roll, but honestly, I was so busy that the most I thought was, Hey, like that guy who helped me earlier.” He shook his head, like he thought he’d been an idiot for not even considering the possibility. “Anyway, thank you again for your help, and it’s nice officially meeting you, Kyle.”
Despite seeming like a relatively laid-back guy, he had a nervous tension about him. I tried to decide if it was from his hectic morning, the misunderstanding, being new to the school…or something else. Of course, it was a lot to figure out for a guy I barely knew.
“Nervous for your first day?” I pried.
“Nervous? Who, me? Yeah, a little bit,” he said, but I knew such an admission could only come from someone who was confident enough to cop to their insecurities. I sure as fuck didn’t know many teachers like that, and I was intrigued.
“I’ll get it together, though,” he went on. “Worst-case scenario, I know where to find the hand dryer in the downstairs bathroom, right?”
We shared a smile, and I caught myself staring at that pretty face, admiring him until he glanced around like it was becoming awkward. Hell, it probably was getting awkward.
But at least I knew that, even though I wasn’t particularly excited about British Lit, I would have something pretty to look at throughout fourth period.
He glanced at the clock behind him. “I don’t want to make you late to fifth period.” He turned back to me, avoiding my gaze. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Kyle.”
“See you then, Big Man.”
He must’ve known I was teasing him about being so much shorter than me, but once again, he didn’t appear bothered by the remark, only offered a pleasant smile like a cool guy, not some stuck-up asshole teach.