14. Callie
Callie
“You’re a teacher? That’s really cool. Um, teachers don’t get tickets. That’s my personal motto.” The man had switched his tune so fast that my head nearly spun. “I’m Officer Randy. I’ll come and visit you at school, ma’am. Anytime. Just give me your number and we can set it up.”
Oof. I was trying to think of a way to get out of giving a stranger who’d threatened to arrest me for not having my ID my number but I didn’t need to worry.
Cole cleared his throat and stepped forward.
He gripped me under my arms and lifted me to my feet so fast I swayed backwards and I only managed to not fall over because he was at my back, bracing me.
“I’ll give you my number and you can set it up through me. I’m her secretary.” Cole’s rumbling voice rattled from his chest straight through my back and sent a warm wave straight to my core.
Then his words registered. My knees nearly buckled as I let out the biggest laugh I’d ever laughed. I slumped against him as I cackled at the idea of him being my secretary. After binge watching Mad Men with Tessa I couldn’t help picturing him in a tight pencil skirt and a sleek bun.
“Actually, I’ll take your number, Officer Randy.” Luke gripped the top of Emma and Noah’s heads and steered them out of the way. “I’m Callie’s classroom aid so I’m much more useful. As soon as we have something on the books, I’ll call you.”
“But… I wanted her number.” Officer Randy sighed. “Fine. Just be sure to call me.”
I just barely got myself together enough to thank him and tell him goodbye.
My cheeks hurt and my stomach ached by the time he was out of sight and I got ahold of myself.
As soon as I turned around and faced the guys, though, I lost it again.
I was starting to think that duck shit had some sort of laughing gas effect.
“Well, I came for fishing, so I’m going to do just that. Come on, Cupcake.” Ben took my hand and pulled me with him towards the hellish water I’d just escaped. “I bet I can hook your pole and get it back.”
“Leave it. That’s the devil’s pole. And to think I almost killed an innocent worm for that thing. At the first drop of blood it probably would’ve grown a serpent tail and slithered off to start the apocalypse.” I gently tugged Ben to a stop. “I shouldn’t stay. I can’t. Teachers aren’t supposed to-”
“Fraternize. We know, we know. But there’s no one here to tattle on you except the devil pole, the fish, and the game warden who has a crush on you.” Luke nodded to where Oliver was staring at me with his version of puppy dog eyes and leaned in to whisper. “I think Ollie wants to fish.”
If I said no I didn’t just feel like I’d be punishing Oliver. I wanted to stay with them, too. I needed to follow the rules but I followed the rules my entire life and I’d never felt as alive as I had since meeting the three men looking longingly at me.
“Fine. We’ll stay.” I looked down to hide my smile. “But I have no interest in fishing ever again. I’ll be soaking up the sun while you guys touch worms and sniff duck poo.”
“You’re already sunburned. I’ve got some sunscreen in my bag.
” Luke knelt by his backpack and opened it to reveal a perfectly organized interior.
He knew right where the sunscreen was and grabbed it without getting his hand stuck to a single piece of old candy that was always somehow unwrapped and present in my bags.
One look at Oliver told me he’d just found his dream parent. He inched closer and stood still with his hands balling into fists and releasing. “Wow.”
“Alright, alright. Come on, everyone. If we act too impressed with Luke’s bag he’ll turn into Mary Poppins and float away.
” Ben flashed the inside of his own bag and nearly choked on a laugh at the horrified gasp Oliver let out.
“Sorry, buddy. Don’t look closer or you might see fish bones hidden in there somewhere. ”
“We’re going to hang out with Miss Morgan.” Emma took my hand and tugged me away from the guys. “Beth, too.”
“I read about fishing in The Old Man and the Sea. Giant marlin live in the open sea so it won’t be the same.
I still want to learn, even if I just catch the Ictalurus punctatus, more commonly called the channel catfish.
Did you know some large specimen can weigh, on average, up to forty pounds?
That’s only fifteen pounds lighter than me. ”
Cole palmed the top of Oliver’s head and flashed him a surprisingly warm smile. “I once caught an Alligator gar that was as tall as me and weighed two hundred pounds. I fought that fish like it slapped my momma but I won. Want to see a picture?”
I watched them go, Ben and Noah at their sides. Luke pointed the girls to a strip of grass under a tree and then looked at me with that sunscreen gripped in his hand. I reached for it but he shook his head. “What?”
He stood in front of me after pouring what looked like way too much sunscreen into his palm. “Stand still.”
Who was I to argue? Even if I should’ve, I froze.
He started at my shoulders and worked the lotion into my skin with rough fingers.
They slipped under the straps of my overalls and bikini top and left goosebumps in their wake before moving down my arms. The massage made me sway on my feet and I had to bite my lip to keep from moaning.
When he moved closer and wrapped his arms around me to rub the sunscreen into my back his smirk said he knew just what he was doing.
“Do you think that’s the best way to put it on my back?” I tried to keep my voice normal but I knew it was breathy from his touch.
He leaned closer as his hands moved up my neck and into my hair.
I was also suddenly very worried about my hair and its UV protection.
He moved on too soon but then his hands were on my chest, rubbing and rubbing.
They moved up my throat and then he dealt the death blow.
He slowly, gently rubbed the sunscreen into my cheeks and down the center of my nose, all while holding my gaze.
“Meet me after work one night this week.” His eyes were molten and his hands even hotter as they moved back down my throat to cup my neck. He pulled back suddenly and knelt in front of me. The moment he reached for my thigh I let out a shrill laugh and danced away.
“I can do that part myself!” I grabbed the sunscreen and waved it in his face. “I’ll make sure the girls are covered. Thanks so much!”
“Chicken.” He caught my hand before I could slip away. “Which day this week, Cupcake?”
“I can’t-”
“You need help organizing before the next meeting. If I have to see that Samantha twat looking smug I’ll be forced to flip the conference table.” He stood up and tapped the end of my nose. “Pick. A. Day.”