Page 39 of Love Me Not
We were not having little meet-ups.
“Coach Collins comes to rehearsals because he has players in the production. The only reason I was in his truck was because I locked my keys in my car and he wouldn’t let me wait for the locksmith out in the cold.” In all my years at Carnegie High, I’d never been the subject of school gossip, and I would not be gossiped about now. “Whoever is spreading these rumors needs to get their stories straight, and if anyone has questions, they can come to me instead of making up crap behind my back.”
Pepper held up her hands. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Why else would you finally be at a football game unless the rumors were true?”
“Because I teach these kids and I’m here to root them on for a championship.” I really hoped championship was the right word. “I assure you my being here has absolutely nothing to do with Trey Collins.”
“He did give us the tickets,” Megan mumbled.
“Irrelevant,” I growled back.
“I’m sorry,” Pepper said, sounding genuinely apologetic. “You’re right that people shouldn’t make assumptions. At least now you know what people are saying.”
“What people, Pepper? Who did you hear it from?”
Suddenly unable to stand still, she said, “It’s just going around. Mostly in the lounge, but some students have noticed, too.”
“There’s nothing to notice.”
“You’re right. People see what they want to see, I guess.” With a nervous laugh she looked past us and waved at someone. “I should go. Enjoy the rest of the game.”
As the choir director melted into the crowd Megan said, “I think you scared her.”
“Good,” I grumbled. “I don’t like being the subject of gossip. Especially when it’s something so outrageous.”
We moved with the line again. “Would you and Trey really be so outrageous? Two single, attractive people with a passion for teaching, and like it or not, he’s into you. Do you really think he’s coming to all of those rehearsals for his players?”
“Why else would he be there?”
She gave me droll look. “He’s there because you’re there, Lindsey.”
No way. “You can’t know that.”
“Yes, I can.” The couple in front of us strolled to the counter, leaving us next in line. “He spends a lot of time with the guys, and he isn’t keeping his feelings for you a secret.”
“How could he have feelings for me? He doesn’t even know me.”
“Apparently, he knows you well enough.”
“Can I help the next person, please?” called a parent from the concession stand. A familiar face to which I couldn’t put a name smiled as we approached. “Hello, Ms. Pavolski. I’ve never seen you at a game before.”
“We’ve never been up for a championship before,” I said with more force than necessary. Softening my voice, I added, “I’m here to support the students.”
“The boys are grateful for all the support they can get. This Bishop Masscio team has gone to state five years in a row. I hope we can pull off this win.”
“I’m sure they can,” Megan said. “Carnegie is undefeated and no doubt they’ll end the season that way.”
A crazy thought considering the last time we had a winning football season, I was in my first year of teaching.
“Our fingers are crossed,” the mom said. “They’ve promised a new practice field and new training facilities in the near future.”
Whoever they were had clearly not looked at the budget. If the school couldn’t afford my measly drama program, there was definitely no funding for all of that.
Megan put our order in for five hot chocolates, two hot dogs, and a box of popcorn. Donna and Josie needed to show up soon. They’d taken a side trip to the ladies’ room, but were supposed to meet us to help carry everything back. Becca opted to stay under the blankets, but we all knew that as soon as we walked away she’d called her mom to check on Noah.
“Let me get you a carrier.” The parent scurried down to the end of the counter before returning and filling the brown container with four drinks. “We can slide a hot dog in the middle here.”
Megan dropped the second foil-wrapped hot dog into her pocket, and picked up the last drink and popcorn.