“Yes.” I nod.
“Interesting…” She nods slowly.
“It’s not that interesting. She’s a teacher at the school, and I now have some kind of mentoring role,” I shrug like it’s no big deal.
It shouldn’t be a big deal. Ms. Andrews is kind of like a co-worker at this point. All the teachers will be, not just her. She isn’t the only one my attention should be focused on. I can ignore the way her round green eyes stare at me expectantly or the way her bottom lip is puffier than her top one, making me wonder what it’d be like to bite it.
“But—“
“No buts,” I cut my sister off. “Ms. Andrews isn’t the kind of woman for me.”
“What does that mean?” Brooke’s eyebrows pull tight.
“She seems like a nice woman. Innocent, a bit naive. I’m rough around the edges and don’t have the best track record.”
“That’s because you don’t give yourself a chance to open up.” She shakes her head. “You’re a great guy.”
She’s always telling me the same thing, but I don’t listen. There’s no way to know that I won’t be just like my father, leaving the woman I promised to commit to. Or worse, open up to someone just for them to leave me. I’ve always heard history repeats itself, and I’m not up for that part of my family history to do so.
“I’m gonna go work out.” I stand from the couch.
“Now? I was going to make dinner.”
“I’ll eat after.” I ruffle my sister’s hair and laugh as her complaints trail behind me.
Changing into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, I head out of the house and start to jog down the street. Each breath melts away the memory of my father and of Ms. Andrews’s awkwardness and cute smile. The way she teases Sheriff McCall gives me a sense of family I haven’t felt in a long time.
I love my sister and nephew, but ever since my mom died, I’ve felt like that family camaraderie has been missing.
It’s actually been missing much longer than that. I think the last time I felt a glimpse of that feeling was when I was ten and my dad still lived with us. When he abandoned us, so did the joy that filled our home.
Shake it off, Nate. He doesn’t deserve your attention.
I breathe evenly, inhaling the lingering scent of saltwater and hear seagulls wailing in the distance. I make a right, running down a street that will lead me to the beach. I’ve become addicted to running along the boardwalk so I can take in the ocean as I do so.
As soon as I hear the waves crashing, I exhale deeply and release the memories that haunt and soothe me like the world’s greatest contradiction. It belongs in the Guinness World Record book for contradictions.
Ms. Andrews probably has the best family, like so many other people in this town seem to. I understand why Brooke moved here. Besides starting a new chapter in her life, Walker’s grandparents live near here.
When David passed away, she needed the support more than ever. Being Walker’s only living grandparents, it was the logical choice. I also suspect that she feels guilty and wants them to have a piece of David closer to home.
My feet pound the ground as I clear my mind. Too many memories of the dead are filling my thoughts.
I wanted to stop thinking about Ms. Andrews, but that doesn’t mean I want to focus on the people who are no longer with us. Ms. Andrews is a much better topic to pour my attention into, even if it’s dangerous territory.
When I spot the park in town a block away from the beach, I slow my pace and walk toward the pull-up bars. Gripping the handle, I start to pull my body up and silently count backward from ten.
As I’m reaching one, I hear a voice behind me. Turning, I see the woman who’s conquered my thoughts talking into her phone. She’s wearing leggings that accentuate the curves in her hips and a T-shirt that falls off the shoulder.
“Can you believe thatheis who will be working at the schoolin my classroom? This is karma, or dharma. Which of the two is supposed to be the punishment? Whatever, Mr. Hot Deputy is going to run this program, and I don’t stop acting like an idiot. How do I channel cool, calm, and collected?“ Her words run together as she rambles, and I can’t help but choke at the nickname.
Her head snaps up, and her eyes bug out when she sees me standing a few feet away.
“Either a mirage of him is in front of me or the man just heard me talking about him. Where’s that magic wand to make me disappear?” she says into her phone before pocketing it.
“Uhh…” Her cheeks are covered in a flush.
“Ms. Andrews.” I arch an eyebrow. This woman is a walking Murphy’s Law.