Page 51 of Guarded Deputy
“Oh, we need to go to…help at a game,” Andrea says, pulling my arm.
On our way, at least five more people stop me, and I’m so over having to explain the situation.
“I can’t blame them, your face is an angry red.” Andrea cringes apologetically.
“Wonderful. Let’s find Shelly. I’m desperate.” I shake my head and sigh.
As we walk, I can’t help but look around the area in case I spot Nate, but I haven’t seen him since I left the bathroom. Doubt creeps in as I question if he regrets the kiss, but I don’t have time to consider this because someone gasps.
I snap my head toward the sound and find Shelly with her hands over her mouth. “What in the world happened to you?”
“Funny story,” I begin sarcastically and explain what happened. “Any chance you have a hat in your classroom?”
“I have the ones the kids use for dress-up. Some of them are bigger since parents donated some of the siblings’ costumes. Let’s go.” She leads the way.
I have a feeling I’m going to wish I didn’t accept their help and just grab the megaphone and tell everyone what happened so I don’t have to explain it five-hundred-and-thirty times. Actually, Dani would probably lend me the microphone she has at the DJ booth.
Shelly unlocks her classroom door and goes straight to where she has the costumes. She rummages through the items until she holds up a few things.
“I have this hard hat, this fireman hat, although these are both plastic and I don’t think it’d be comfortable.” She tosses them to a side and continues looking. “Oh! This could work.” She throws me something, and I don’t catch it in time.
Looking down at the floor, I stare at the dark blue hat. It isn’t plastic, so that’s a plus, but it’s a cop hat, and well, that could be awkward. Andrea snorts beside me, and I glare at her.
“You don’t have a cowboy hat? One of those straw ones?”
“It broke, sorry. I only have these.”
I look at the hat on the floor as if picking it up would electrocute me.
“Maybe I’ll grab the microphone and announce to everyone what happened so they stop asking,” I say.
“The sun will irritate it more, though. Wearing something to cover it would help.”
I grab a shirt and place it on my head. “Head scarves are in style, so this could work.” I tie it in an attempt to make the shirt look like a scarf and by the laughter coming from the two, I’d guess it isn’t my best look.
“Maybe not.” I scratch my forehead, and Andrea slaps my hand away.
“Don’t scratch it. Wear the hat, who cares?” Andrea picks it up from the floor and hands it to me. “It could look cute.”
“I can’t.” My voice is tight.
The last thing I need is for Nate to take this the wrong way, as if it were a way of claiming stake on him. The way a dog pees on something to mark its territory.
“Wait…” Andrea tilts her head and looks at me. “Is this because of Nate?” Her eyes widen.
“Who?” Shelly asks.
“No one,” I say quickly.
“Deputy Moore,” Andrea says at the same time.
“Ohhhh…” Shelly’s eyes widen in understanding.
“Who cares, Lizzy? It’s not like you’re wearing his hat, you need something to protect you,” Andrea argues.
“It’s this or risk the rash spreading more.” Shelly shrugs.
“Fine,” I huff out, placing the hat on my head. It doesn’t even have a form to it. It’s flat and tight, but the bill does cover my forehead. “I can’t believe this,” I mumble, walking out of the classroom as I hear them announcing players for freeze dance.