I wave, and head for my car.
The Public Speaking classroom is still dolefully beige, regardless of another quickly approaching holiday or the fact we’ve been in class for several months now. I try not to think about it as I take my seat next to Brielle.
“Hey! How are you?” she asks. “Are you feeling better?”
I almost forget I’d told her I wasn’t feeling well on Monday. I nod. “Much. Thanks. How are you?”
“I got your text about book club. Are you sure they won’t mind me tagging along?”
“No. Definitely not.”
“And it’s okay if I buy the cookies I bring?”
I grin. “Yes.”
Her smile grows wider. “Good because I bought the book last night, and I stayed up until almost three because I couldn’t put it down. I’m obsessed.”
Professor Hawkins enters the class, ending our conversation. Her gaze pauses on me for a moment.
For a while, I had hoped that maybe Professor Hawkins would surprise me like a great supporting character from a book or movie, and instead of being the gruff and rigid teacher rumors claim she is, she’d pick me and a few others to mentor and we’d become eloquent and fearless in our pursuit of delivering speeches that would transform the world.
I’m disappointed the rumors are painfully accurate.
“Miss Foster, are you ready today?”
“I am.”
“Then why don’t you kick us off.”
She leans against her desk as I slip out of my seat.
I pull in a breath to steady myself, recalling Nolan’s reaction the first time I’d read it to him, how he’d laughed and smiled, assuring me it was my best work.
I begin talking, welcoming my future niece or nephew. This speech was my favorite to write and practice because unlike the others that have been about things I want to improve and emulate, this one includes all of my favorite things and is purely me. I talk about Lanie, Geoff, our family’s business, my parents, how I plan to teach them to cook, and play pranks, and love books as much as I do. I tell them about friendships and family. I talk for six minutes without clearing my throat, or stuttering, and I only say um once.
For the first time, I pass a speech on my first try.
Chapter36
Nolan
“Payne,” Krueger yells my name from his office.
A dozen guys from the team turn to look at me with raised brows.
“He sounds pissed,” someone remarks.
I pull a team sweatshirt over my head and cross the few yards to his office.
“Door,” Krueger barks.
I turn around and close it, wondering if this is about Saturday night or my missed practice.
Krueger’s gaze remains on the door for several seconds and then he turns to me, the shadow of a smirk on his face. “I don’t know who’s out there.” He takes a seat at his desk, officially becoming Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. “I don’t know what you and your friends did, but whatever it is I don’t want to know.” He pulls a playbook from under his desk.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, shaking my head.
He smirks and then his expression turns stoic. “Peters's injury has become aggravated. I’m sorry to say he’s going to have to sit out the rest of the season to get surgery.”