Jackson
I WAS FINISHING UP MY lesson plans for when we moved on to Pride and Prejudice next week, but my eyes kept drifting up to the clock. Much like my students, I couldn’t wait for the bell to ring, signaling the end of the school day.
Normally, I stick around after school, grade some papers, straighten my room, and prepare for the next day, but today all I could think about was picking up Millie at three thirty.
I couldn’t remember the last time I was this excited about anything. Sure, it was only coffee, but it didn’t matter what we were doing, I couldn’t wait to see her again.
The bell rang and I jumped up from my chair, pushing through my students as I tried to beat them out the door.
“Where’s the fire, Mr. H?”
“Sorry . . . Sorry,” I muttered as I reached the hallway, then started speed walking toward the exit closest to the teacher’s parking lot.
“Jackson.”
I bit off the curse before it passed my lips, then turned to see who was currently stalling my swift exit.
“Oh, hey, Rebecca. What’s up?” I asked the history teacher, who was watching me nervously as she approached.
“Do you have a few minutes?” she asked, her voice timid, which was unusual.
“Actually, I’m on my way out,” I said hastily, looking at my watch to emphasize the fact that I was in a hurry. “Can it wait until tomorrow?”
“Oh, yeah, sure,” Rebecca replied, and I chose to ignore the disappointment on her face, because although we were always friendly with each other, whatever school-centric question she had couldn’t be more important than going on the first non-date I’d had in over ten years.
“Thanks, Rebecca,” I said, patting her arm distractedly before spinning on my heel and heading back for that door.
“Hey, Jacks,” I heard called, and this time didn’t hold my, “Son of a bitch” back, although I only whispered it under my breath.
I turned my head to see Ty jogging toward me.
“What’s up, man?” I asked, not stopping, but rather keeping my pace while he fell in step beside me.
“So, you ready for your big date?” my friend asked, making me immediately regret telling him and Rob that I was meeting Millie today.
“Yup,” I said as I pushed the door open.
“All right, brother, I just wanted to wish you luck, and tell you to be cool . . . Just be yourself.”
“Thanks, Ty,” I said, finally stopping when my feet hit the sidewalk. “I’m a little nervous, but more excited. Hopefully she’ll see I’m sincere about everything with Julie, and this will be the beginning of something great.”
“I hear that,” Ty said, running a hand over his short dark hair before adding, “You deserve that, Jackson, after the shit Julie shoveled at you. But, hey, can I ask you a favor, for all of us here at school?”
“Yeah, man, what’s that?” I asked, confused by his question.
“Can you let Rebecca down easy?”
“Rebecca?” I asked, looking over his shoulder to where Rebecca had just been standing.
“Yeah,” he began, then sighed. “She’s had a crush on you forever.”
“What? No, she hasn’t.”
“Yeah, man, she has. You’re the only one who hasn’t noticed.”
Shocked, I just looked at my friend, unable to respond.
“She’s just been biding her time, waiting for you to be ready after the fiasco with Julie, and today, it looked like she was about to make her move. I know you’re not interested, brother, I’m just asking that you go easy, yeah? You’ve got to see her every day. We all do.”
I nodded absently, still trying to wrap my head around what I was hearing. Rebecca had always been nice enough, and we often helped each other out after school, sometimes chaperoning events together, but I’d never thought of her as anything more than a friend.
My stomach clenched at the thought of that awkward conversation.
“Of course, Ty, you know I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“I know, Jacks, just wanted to give you a head’s up.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve got your back, you know that,” Ty said with a grin, then clapped me on the back. “Have fun, and don’t be afraid to be aggressive.”
I chuckled at my friend, having no intention whatsoever in taking his advice, then finally made my way to the teacher’s parking lot. My watch told me I still had fifteen minutes to get to Three Sisters Catering, and although I’d wanted to be early, at least I’d still get there on time.
I’d pulled up in front of Millie’s storefront with two minutes to spare. When I stepped out of my truck I saw Jericho Smythe standing outside of Prime Beef messing with his menu board.
“Hey, Jericho!” I yelled out, lifting my hand in a wave to my buddy, who owned the steakhouse. We were part of the same Fantasy Football league, and often got together with a group of guys to watch games. Plus, he served the best steak in town.
“How’s it going?” Jericho asked in reply.
I shot him a thumbs up and a huge grin, then jogged around the truck so that I’d make it on time. I’d fill Jericho in later on why I didn’t have time to catch up, being on time to pick up Millie was more important.
The door jangled as I opened it. The tables and chairs were empty, since they weren’t currently serving, but it only took a moment before Millie stepped out from the back.
In a pale-blue dress with her hair hanging long and straight around her shoulders, she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. I was momentarily stunned. Speechless.
I watched as Millie walked toward me, a small, uncertain smile playing on her lips, then I took a step toward her and reached out my hand. When she took it, I propelled myself closer and lowered my lips to her cheek, kissing her softly before saying, “You look gorgeous.”