Chapter Four

Quinn flipped on thelights in her classroom, pulled out her laptop, and hit the start button. She set it on the nearest table, and as it booted, stowed her purse in her locker. The morning sun blazed through the windows, painting lines across the room. The chairs were upended on the desks from the night cleaning crew. She stepped to the nearest desk and began putting the chairs on the floor around the table.

"Ms. Weldon?"

She spun around to find Jamaal Pinster. A tiny part of her was disappointed Dre wasn't with him. Which was ridiculous because she'd already come to the conclusion she'd more than likely never see him again. "Good morning."

He held up a sheaf of papers. "I completed the homework assignments I missed."

She crossed the room to stand in front of him and noticed how different Jamaal's dark brown eyes were from Dre's light ones. How his mocha skin looked a shade darker. Why am I comparing them? Why can't I get Dre out of my head?

Quinn took the papers. "Thank you for handing these in, but I'm afraid I can't change your progress report grade for this week's game."

"I know. I also want to apologize. Since I remembered everything from last year, I never even read the syllabus. I didn't realize homework counted for so much until my uncle told me yesterday. I thought you'd made a mistake on my grade."

"I said it in class a few times."

"I must've zoned out or not been in the room when you mentioned it. Sorry about skipping and showing up late too." He guiltily glanced around before meeting her gaze. "Can you sign this transfer slip? I'm moving to Algebra II."

"It's where you belong. You're too smart for this class."

His lips made a straight line. "I hope I'm not too behind."

"I'm sure you'll do fine." Quinn kept her tone encouraging. "If you need help, come by for tutoring."

"My uncle gave me your study room hours."

Excitement skittered through her at the mention of Dre. "What made you sign up for the same classes in the first place?"

"Coach Moon mentioned it to my parents. He thought it might be helpful for me to adjust to public school since I've always been in private schools."

Anger rushed like a roar through her head. "This is Coach Moon's doing?"

Jamaal shook his head. "It was my decision."

While furious at Coach Moon, she respected Jamaal for taking responsibility.

"Uncle Dre had no idea about it."

"I could tell when he stopped by," she replied. "You're a lucky young man. You have many people who want the best for you."

"Yes, I do."

"It's only one game," she said. "I'm sure it's the only one you'll have to miss."

"I hope you're right."

He left, and Quinn checked the wall clock. Ten minutes until the first bell. She decided to let her students take care of the rest of the chairs and sat at her computer.

The door squeaked open, and Principal Cheek walked into the room. "Might I have a word with you?"

"Of course." She stood up, ready to defend herself if necessary.

"I'll get right to the point." His voice wasn't exactly condescending, but it also couldn't be described as friendly. "Coach Moon came to my office yesterday and told me about Jamaal Pinster's progress report. I ask that you reconsider his grade. He's made hundreds on his tests."

"And zeros on his daily work—that averages to fifty." She folded her arms. "The last time I checked, fifty was failing."

"Is daily work relevant? Colleges care about test scores."

"They also look at GPAs." Her voice got louder as her frustration heightened. She hesitated a second to get herself under control. "Mr. Cheek, if I pass Jamaal, I'll need to alter every student's marks. Some of the students wouldn't pass without the daily work boosting their averages."

His nostrils flared. "Jamaal's situation is an exception."

"I disagree." She should have said she respectfully disagreed, but she was questioning her respect for the man. "A learning disability, sickness, a student's home life, and so much more are exceptions. Not turning in homework is not an exception."

"You don't understand. He's an exceptionally talented athlete."

He opened his mouth to say more and she cut him off. "Perhaps I don't understand." She couldn't believe he was supporting Coach Moon. "You have access to the grading system and can change whatever you want. Just know, if you choose to do so, I will not be quiet about it. No telling what the media would do with the story."

He let out a long sigh. "Well played, Ms. Weldon."

She shrugged. "I may bring light to this if I'm approached again about giving a student a passing grade who hasn't earned it. Just because Jamaal's already taken Geometry doesn't mean he's exempt from the assigned homework."

The principal's expression blanked.

"By your reaction, you didn't know. Check his transcript. The classes he signed up for this year are ones he'd taken before, on the suggestion of your head coach. Luckily, his uncle found out, and Jamaal will be transferring into the right subjects today. He came in earlier to turn in the work he missed, and I signed his transfer slip."

"I'll check into it. I understand you're new to teaching in Texas, Ms. Weldon, so let me warn you, high school football is important to the people here. Very important."

"More important than a student's education?"

"Students excel at many different things. It's our job to support each individual's strengths."

She just stopped herself from snorting, being snarky wouldn't help anything. "I'm supporting his education, sir."

He scowled before walking out of the room.

Once he was gone, she sent a text to her closest friends. Jolene, Sandy, Siobhan, Harriett, and Gabby kept a group text going to support each other. My new boss believes football is more important than a student's education.

Jolene, Oliver's sister and a stay-at-home mom of three, instantly responded. Oh, hell no.

Harriett, a newly married interior designer, fired off a mad, red-faced emoji.

Siobhan, who now lived in Ireland, sent a picture of a leprechaun with a green hat and angry red eyes.

Sandy, also a schoolteacher, responded with, Don't get me started.

Gabby's text put it succinctly in one word. Prick.

Quinn wondered what Dre would say about her principal's words. No, she didn't wonder. From the little she'd learned about him yesterday, she knew he'd be on her side. That thought brightened her day.

~

With a tug, Dre yankedthe jersey over his shoulder pads and tucked the hem into the waist of his pants. After playing football since the age of eleven, the practice uniform had become second nature to him. Players were talking and laughing while getting dressed in the large locker room that looked more like a nightclub, complete with red neon lights and padded benches. Lockers lined the walls, and the painted Scorpions' logo took up the entire ceiling.

Jude hadn't wasted any time putting together a contract extension, and to Dre's surprise, management accepted. He'd been called into the office early this morning to sign the agreement.

Tall and thin, with blond hair and a five o'clock shadow barely visible because his hair was so light, Jacob Pellegrini sat on the bench in front of his locker next to Dre. He and Jacob became fast friends six years ago when Jacob was drafted by Dallas. Jacob was quick and had reigned as one of the top safeties in the game since his rookie year. "Flo's starting fertility drugs today. I tried to talk her out of it. Research I've read says they cause moodiness in women." The couple had been trying to have kids for a while.

"Florence is a sweetheart." Dre bent down to tie his shoes.

"Yes, and I'd like her to stay that way."

Dre chuckled and raised his head.

Wyatt James stood in the entryway glancing around, a huge bag hanging off his shoulder. A pang struck in Dre's gut. It wasn't a surprise to see him. The news of his trade to the Scorpions circulated yesterday.

"Wondered when he'd show," Jacob muttered.

After storing his street clothes in his locker, Dre walked over to Wyatt and held out his hand. "Welcome to Dallas."

A guarded smile came to Wyatt's face. "Thanks, Andre."

"Call me Dre. We're teammates now."

Their first-string quarterback left Sunday's game after suffering a hit that broke his ankle, and their backup was a rookie who played like one. Wyatt started for Washington two years then got traded to Cleveland to back up the best quarterback in the league, so he hadn't seen much game time the last four years.

"I can't believe Cleveland let you go, man. But we're happy you're here. We need you."

Other players approached and welcomed Wyatt.

What happened in the past was ancient history as far as Dre was concerned. He held no ill will toward Wyatt. They'd both been deceived by Anita.

The best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. ~ Andy Rooney