“Aunt Adri?”
“Yes, Ivy?” Her deep brown eyes look up at me. Aunt Adri is classically beautiful with dark features and olive skin, she rarely wears makeup.
“What happened with Mr. O’Connor?”
“He’s on vacation with his partner Mr. Pratt.” Her eyes never wander from mine but I can sense a lie, she’s just gotten good at covering them up. “Why? Do you have anything to tell me about them?”
“No.” I shake my head, “but Mr. O’Connor didn’t mention a vacation.”
“Must have been impromptu.” She shrugs. “Are you worried about my teaching skills?” Her grin is wide and I find myself giving her one back.
“No.”
“Alright, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She chuckles and goes back to grading.
“Goodnight.” I call as I leave the classroom.
I get to my locker and Carmelo has Cam in a headlock.
“Heathens,” I kick Carmelo in his ass as I walk by them.
They break apart, laughing and swatting at each other, as I open my locker.
“Your teacher buddy is gone.” Carmelo says as he leans against a locker, trying to catch his breath.
“So is his boyfriend.” Cam chirps from my other side.
“And?” I ask them.
“Did you get him fired?” Carmelo asks and I shut my locker door.
“I didn’t. Why? What have you heard?” I look at Cam because he’s always been the eyes and ears.
“Alright,” he stands up straight, “here’s the thing, my friend Andrew lives two houses down from Mr. Pratt, okay? Andrew says Mr. Pratt is a little strange and that girl scouts don’t knock on his door.”
“What the fuck does that have to do with a vacation?” I huff.
“Hear me out.” He raises his hands, “so, he watches his house because Andrew is a fucking loser and only has me as a friend.”
“Also a loser.” Carmelo laughs when Cam gives him the finger.
“Andrew says Mr. Pratt’s car didn’t come home last night. Not weird, right? He could’ve been at Mr. O’Connor’s place having his ass rammed… I digress.”
“I’m slightly turned on.” Carmelo mutters.
“Same.” I agree. “Mr. O’Connor does like a good ramming.”
We’re all fucked.
“Moving on.” Cam says as we begin to walk out of the school, “Andrew is somewhat of an insomniac and says he heard Mr. Pratt’s car arrive home late in the night, like two in the morning.”
“So?” Carmelo snorts, “was he walking funny?”
“That’s the weird part,” Cam stops and looks at us. “A woman got out of the car and went into Mr. Pratt’s house.”
“That is strange.” Carmelo states.
“Right?” Cam nods, “if he’s catching home runs from Mr. O’Connor’s bat then why is there a woman?”
“Can you not?” I stare at him.
“Sorry.” He shrugs.
“Did Andrew see what she looked like?” Carmelo asks.
“Nah, dressed in black, went into the house, and never came out.”
“So, she’s still in there?” I ask.
“I doubt it. Maybe she went out the back.” Cam says as we resume walking to our cars.
“This shit is weird.” I murmur.
“Whatever.” Carmelo shakes it off. “I have a fight tonight and you both are coming to watch.”
“I hate watching you fight.” I whine. “You always take such a beating. Plus, there’s going to be a storm.”
“You love driving in the snow, stop giving me excuses, and it’s at the strip.” His smile is wide. “The word is getting around and it’s going to be a huge turn out.”
“You’re fighting in the fucking snow?” I hiss at him.
“Should help with the swelling.” Cam high fives him.
“You’re both losers.” I unlock my car door.
“Ten tonight.” Carmelo kisses my cheek. “Don’t be late.”
“Neil!” Amelia skids into the kitchen. “There’s going to be a fight at the strip tonight and you’re taking me.”
“I’m fucking tired.” I shake my head. “I can’t tonight.”
Vincent Greene has been riding my ass all week, having me drive all over the place, and being an all around gopher. I get home every night, put some food in my stomach, and die in my bed. Only to do it all over again the next day.
“Carmelo is fighting.” She stomps her foot, “he’s really good.”
“Ivy’s cousin?” I ask her.
Ivy, I haven’t spoken to her in a few days and even though I miss her, I had to put the brakes on our hooking up. I don’t want to carry on any further without figuring shit out. I refuse to be that guy.
“Yeah!” Her eyes light up like she’s convinced me.
“Nah, I’m good.” I stand up from the table. “I’m seriously tired.”
“Fine,” she walks out of the kitchen, “I’ll just drive myself.”
I try to ignore the words, knowing exactly what game she’s playing, and trying to just get my ass to bed. But nope, big brother conscience steps in and clocks me in the chin.
“Fuck.” I curse and walk out behind her. “We are not staying late, I have to be up early tomorrow morning.”
“Okay!” She squeals and grabs our jackets.
By the time we get to the strip, snowflakes are coming down in thick white puffs, and the ground already has a few centimeters gathered. It’s not frigid cold though and that means we can chill outside to watch two guys beat the shit out of each other.
The human race has come a long way.
“There’s Cam!” Amelia exclaims, grabbing my hand and dragging me to Cam and Ivy.
Cam scoops Amelia up into a big hug while I stand off to the side, my eye on Ivy. She gives me a glance and a slight nod of her head, but that’s it. I guess I deserve that. She looks just as compelling as always in a black puffer jacket, loose beanie, and furry boots. Her hair is loose around her shoulders and her cheeks are rosy from the cold.
I want to pull her in my arms and give her my warmth. See? This is the shit that happens whenever I see her and all intelligent thought leaves me. I lean against a light post, waiting for these guys to start the fight so I can go home and sleep. It’s been a long week and
