Page 29

Allie

Rachel

Jack Bradford is my hero. I haven’t stopped crying all week.

Liv

He said it was Austin’s idea to put him in the game.

Rachel

Austin is my hero as well. But Jack didn’t have to do it.

Dylan

I have the best big brothers in the whole world. You’re all welcome

True—and Logan’s pretty great, too!

Raven

Hey—just finished the noon report. What’d I miss?

Hey, Stormy Spice! What’s the weather like in LA?

Raven

Sunny with a high of 79 today.

Dylan

That’s the same as us!

Raven

Would you like to hear about the traffic on the 405 or will somebody please tell me why Jack made everybody cry???

Rachel

He put Edward in the game, and he scored the winning field goal!!! I’ll send you the video. It’s kind of hard to see, because I was not prepared AT ALL…

Raven

Your Edward? When did he join the football team???? Y’all aren’t telling me the important stuff!!!

I’m sorry, but to be honest, we didn’t think he’d play! He’s just a freshman, and Jack’s very protective of him.

Raven

Just got the video—hold pls…

Dylan

What am I going to do about Dare Night?

Liv

What’s wrong with Dare Night?

Dylan

Oh…

You might as well tell. Craig can’t keep taking the heat for those dishes.

Rachel

OMG, what? Is it…

Dylan

I’m pregnant

Liv

DYLAN!!!!

Rachel

DYLAN!!!

Raven

I said hold, and now I’m crying!!! First, that kick—Edward is so poised! Like he never doubted for a moment it was good. Second… DYLAN!!!!

Dylan

I know! And Logan’s baby hates peppers

I think your baby hates food. Last week’s dish was inedible. I think I saw someone actually spit up in the trash.

Dylan

That’s just mean.

Liv

It was pretty nasty. What did you do?

She put cloves in the pepper salsa! Then she tried to blame poor Craig.

Liv

That’s the sign of a true friend. He took the blame and everything.

Raven

Oh no! cloves in salsa sounds… interesting?

Rachel

It was bad.

Dylan

My taste buds are all wrecked. I can’t tolerate heat. Foods taste different.

Liv

This is what happens when you burn your taste buds off.

Raven

Sounds like you need some backup—I can spot you when we get to town, Pepper Spice

Dylan

Raven–of course you can!!! What a perfect idea!

Raven

In the meantime… good luck

We’ll figure it out, but we’ve got to announce it this week, otherwise, we’re losing business

Dylan

I’ll tell everyone. Six months…

Bell rang—more soon!

We all sign off, and I slide my phone into the pocket of my dress. Today I’m wearing a forest green-and-navy-plaid dress, and my hair is up in space buns. It might not be classic librarian, but with my glasses and red lipstick, I’m feeling sassy.

I notice Sadie and two of her friends from the cheer squad surveying the poetry graffiti wall. I hung a large sheet over the bulletin board across from the blind date with a book shelves. Then I added Sharpies on strings, and I have poetry prompts all over it.

I’ve been happily surprised by all the additions to the “wall.” Most are variations on well-known verses mixed with Taylor Swift lyrics and some nursery rhymes. I don’t judge. I know they have to feel free to be silly if they’re going to open up and be deep.

“Hey, ladies!” I walk over, smiling. “Looking for something in particular?”

“Oh, Hi, Miss Allie!” Sadie turns to me, smiling. “We need a poem about love.”

Lifting my chin, I try to think. None of the English teachers alerted me they’re starting poetry units. Usually they give me the heads up.

“Senior-level poetry?” I walk to the donated books I arranged on the shelves near the wall. “I’ve got Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni… Or the classic Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?’”

The girls’ noses all wrinkle at once—as if on cue.

“Shakespeare is…” Sadie shakes her head. “No.”

“I can’t understand any of it,” her brunette friend adds.

“How about Nikki Giovanni?” the other girl asks. “What did he write?”

“Nikki Giovanni is a woman, and she’s famous for the phrase ‘We love because it’s the only true adventure.’”

“I like that!” Sadie brightens, and I hand her the slim volume .

“You should reconsider Shakespeare.” We walk to the front center of the room where the circulation desk is located. “It’s easier than you think.”

“Can I ask you something?” Sadie leans on the desk as I scan her card.

“Of course!” I smile. “That’s what I’m here for.”

“You had Austin when you were sixteen?”

My back straightens, and I hand her the book. “I was eighteen, which isn’t much better.”

“It’s better than sixteen,” she laughs. “At least you’d finished high school.”

The three girls stand around my desk, and my brow furrows. “Is there a particular reason you’re asking about this?”

My heart is in my throat. Sadie and Austin have been spending time together, and I’ve worked so hard to help him be safe and careful.

“You’re like Lorelei Gilmore!” She smiles, but I’m not sure if I should be relieved.

“I never watched that show.”

“She got pregnant at sixteen, and she moved to this small town to raise her daughter, and it’s all quirky and fun. Just like you!”

“First of all, that was a fictional show, and second, looks can be deceiving.”

“I think you look great, and you’re so young and cool.” Sadie smiles, lifting her chin. “I’d like to be like you.”

“I’m no role model.” I look down, reconsidering my sexy librarian attire. “You’re not… pregnant, are you?”

“No!” She bursts out laughing, and I almost collapse with relief. “But I want to be a young mom.”

“Just finish your education first. Having a baby is a lot harder than it looks. I got lucky landing in Newhope, but it wasn’t always easy.”

“If you say so!” She twirls around, and I decide to have another chat with Austin .

I need to be sure he’s got everything he needs to be safe—and that he’s using it.

“Hi, Coach!” Her chipper greeting stops my heart.

“Hi, Sadie, Lana.” It’s Jack.

I turn around to see him standing there, looking like a dream.

“Coach Bradford…” I’m breathless.

“Hello, Miss Sinclair.” His gaze levels on me, and electricity flashes in my veins. “What do you have here?”

He looks at the makeshift poetry wall, and I do my best to get control. We’re standing right in front of the girls, for heaven’s sake.

“It’s a graffiti wall, where students can leave poems for others to read and comment on or write their own.”

“It’s very romantic, Coach.” Sadie’s eyes slide from him to me, and I hold my expression steady, not giving anything away. “The guys are leaving love poems, and the girls are supposed to write poems back.”

“They are?” My lips part, and it all makes sense now.

“Well, yeah,” Sadie laughs. “Why did you think I was asking? Only, some of them are originals… I’m not that good.”

“Wow, okay… in that case, add ‘Love’s Philosophy’ by Shelley or ‘Wild Nights’ by Emily Dickinson to your list.”

Her eyes light up with her smile. “Thanks, Miss A!”

“No problem.” She dances away, and my eyes drift up to the wall where I see a few new couplets have been added.

I can’t help a smile. It’s working …

“Hi, Coach.” Edward sits at one of the long tables and takes out a textbook.

“Hi, Edward.” Jack smiles at the school’s newest star athlete before turning that naughty grin back on me. “Can I see you in your office?”

Heat is in his tone, and I look around to be sure all the students are focused on their studies.

“I don’t… have an office,” I answer quietly .

“Is there somewhere private I could speak to you?” His tongue wets his bottom lip, and I lose the ability to breathe properly.

Is he really doing this here? I know what’s on his mind, and there’s no way in hell I’m saying no. I just can’t believe it.

“I have a, um… supply closet. This way.”

Walking quickly, I lead him through the tall rows of books to the back of the room where a metal door is situated in a corner.

My body vibrates with anticipation, and every brush of my thighs against each other stokes my arousal hotter. My underwear is already damp.

Glancing all around, I don’t see any students in this part of the library.

My hands fumble with the lock, and I quickly open it, hitting the first switch, which illuminates a row of pale green lights in the rear of the room.

The metal door slams, and he turns me, pushing my back against it.

“Oh!” The word escapes on a gasp right before his hand grips my chin and his mouth covers mine.

Full lips open mine, and I’m breathing fast, doing my best to keep up. His hard body is firm against me, and he reaches down, clasping both my wrists in his hands before raising them over my head.

“Jack,” I gasp as his lips move to my ear.

“This week has been torture.” It’s a low growl, and his hand is between my thighs. “I can’t concentrate on the game. I can’t focus on the plays.”

His fingers jerk my panties aside, and he rubs my bare clit firmly, up and down, around and around as I whimper with need.

“All I can think about is how you sound when you come on my cock. ”

His hand moves faster, and I’m on my toes with my back arched, rocketing higher with every firm stroke of his hand.

“Oh, God, yes.” I gasp as he slides two fingers into my slick core.

Warm breath flows down my neck as he bites the side of my ear, speaking directly, softly into my brain.

“Every time I jerk off, every time I have my dick in my hand, I picture driving it into you. Every place, every hole, from your pretty little mouth to your round sexy ass. My dirty little secret.”

He kisses me again, and I’m right on the edge. Energy floods my veins, rising higher in my thighs. My orgasm twists tighter in my belly, and I’m whimpering, writhing against his body.

“You’re so wet.” He looks at me. “Spread your legs.”

“Jack…” My sigh turns into a moan as he quickly unfastens his pants.

Anticipation floods my lungs when I feel his hard cock against my thigh. I want to touch him, but my hands are bound in his firm grip.

“I’m going to fuck you now. Don’t make a sound.”

“I can’t…” I moan, his fingers still circling my clit. “I’m going to come.”