9. North

nine

North

"Gia," my voice hangs on to every letter in her name, and it feels so right. I had heard Glen harassing someone in the hallway, the voice teasing familiarity, but when I heard her say her brother was Rocco Bella, my heart puttered to a screeching halt, and I knew I had to rescue her from creepy Glen.

I step into the hall, making up a story as I speak, "Sorry if you got lost. I should have given you better directions." I look back at Glen, my irritation with him growing with each passing second. "She's my guest. You can leave us alone now. I'll make sure she's properly escorted out when she's ready to leave."

Glen stutters out tsks, like an old engine that won't turn over but can't quite form a word. Obviously, his ego got deflated, and he takes a minute to regain his composure before he finally hmphs and heads out.

Gia places a perfect hand over her mouth, suppressing airy giggles. Not wanting to risk Glen circling back to find us laughing at him, I wave her inside my classroom. "Come on in here." She flashes me a sweet smile, sending a shiver down my spine. I couldn't help but follow her every step with my eyes, captivated by her graceful movements as she disappeared inside. I might have let out a giant sigh of relief that she didn't have a permanent limp. I dart inside right behind her, and we burst out laughing once the door closes.

"Thanks for saving me from whoever that was." She dramatically stares in the direction Glen went.

"It's Glen. He does the nightshift and gets a little carried away. I'm sorry you had to deal with that." My smile lingers, but I pause and remind myself to breathe. Even though I had just spoken to her the other day, it's the first time I've seen her in years, and she's stunning. A rush of excitement and nervousness spirals together. Her intense eyes lock onto mine. With the chalkboard as her backdrop, I can't help but feel like I'm sixteen again, staring at her. "I, ah, saw your car in your dad's driveway. How's he doing?"

"He's good." A single lock of dark hair falls in front of her shoulder as she thoughtfully shakes her head. "And thank you for rescuing him. I'm sorry I didn't make it back in time to help you. I had no idea things had gotten that bad, but I'm cleaning stuff out today. That's actually why I'm here." She peers down at the cardboard box she's holding. "I'm trying to donate some of Rocco's football trophies. I don't care to ever see them again, but I promised Dad I wouldn't throw them out. I know Rocco and you had a falling out, but he does still hold the school records. I thought the kids might want to see them. Do you think there's room somewhere for them?"

A deep heartburn sizzles in my chest, and I twitch at Rocco's name. Having lived in his shadow the entirety of my football career, I thought after I left the NFL, I'd finally break free from it.

That didn't happen.

Even now that I'm coaching a winning football team, I still get asked almost daily about Rocco.

I'm never going to get away from him.

But yet, this is Gia asking for a favor.

I'll do anything for her.

"Sure. You came to the right person." I tilt my head thoughtfully and reach forward. "I'm the head football coach now. I can put it up in the locker room."

Not that I really want to have to look at Rocco's dumb stuff, but if it makes her happy, I'm doing it.

A relieved sigh falls from her throat. "Thank you. I was getting nervous for a minute, thinking I might end up hauling it back to the house." A smile blooms on her lips, lighting up the whole room with her radiance, and reminding me how she always had that ability to spread joy just from the expression on her face. People just felt welcome around her. "One box down, at least a hundred to go."

Pulling my gaze from her smile, I force myself to walk the box over to my desk, pushing a mountain of still-needed-to-be-graded papers over. Doing my best to sound relaxed. I call back over my shoulder, "So, how long will you be in town?"

"Through tomorrow." She scratches at her earlobe, appearing a little extra fidgety than I remember her being. "I'll have to head back in the evening because I work Monday, but I'm hoping to be able to get through the garage before I leave."

I throw my head back, forcing a sarcastic laugh. "Good luck with that."

"Right." Her smile is still growing, which makes mine larger, too. It's been years since I've seen her, but this feels so different than previous times I've chatted with her. In the past, Rocco was always loitering near, with his nostrils flaring.

Rocco isn't here now.

This may be my only chance to spend some time with her.

I cocked my eyebrow. "Do you have time for me to show you something?"

"Ah, yeah." She nods, her eyes widening, becoming even more captivating. "Please do."

With my index finger, I point behind her where a fish tank lines the back wall, and it is home to one of the coolest creatures on the planet.

"You finally got a real axolotl?" She steps forward, all the features on her face are etched in anticipation. "It's exactly like the one you gave me but waaay smaller."

She remembers the gift.

My heart rockets into my ribcage.

Swiping my tongue over my bottom lip, I force my lips to keep moving. "I'm impressed you still remember what they're called. Most people have no idea they exist."

She's standing in front of the fish tank now; her button nose almost presses glass. "I wouldn't either if it weren't for you. That stuffed animal is one of my favorite gifts I've ever gotten."

I turn my head, doing my best to hide the heat on my cheeks.

"Oh, look how cute he is!" She gushes as she pushes her finger on the glass, and he swims right to her. "I can't believe he's in school."

"The kids love him too, and since I teach biology, the school actually gives me a little stipend for projects, so it was a no brainer."

"I love that you got one finally." She rotates back to me, and I wouldn't have believed it is possible with her previous smile already radiant, but now her whole face is beaming, emitting so much exuberance, it's hard not to think it's genuine. I'm vastly aware this is one of the few times I've been alone with her. Except for the stolen moments we used to have under the bleachers, and that night at her house, there aren't any other times I can think of. That night is a haunting reminder of the time I failed at asking her out. I still think about what might have happened if her dad hadn't barged in.

Shoot, that was years ago, and who knows when I'll see her next.

I might not ever get another chance to ask her out again.

My palms are awash with sweat. It really is now or never. We aren't going to be able to small talk for much longer. "Gia." I clear my throat, my heart fluttering with nerves and uncertainty. I've never wanted anything more than for her to say yes.

"What?"

"Ah. I know it's late, but I'm done here, and headed out. I'm, ah, wondering if you want to grab a coffee with me?"

Her eyes flick side to side before replanting on me. "You mean right now?"

"Yeah, if you don't have anything else going on, I'd love to catch up."

She doesn't pause for even a beat. "I'd love to."

I swallow a larger than average swallow. Okay, it's a gulp. It took me years to do this. An immediate surge of relief washes over me, until I realize asking her out is the easy part. That was one sentence. Now, I have to remain calm for the next hour.

My heart constricts, begging me not to blow this.