Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“Excuse the smell. It’s rather strong. They cleaned the carpets this week, and although they are dry for the most part, the smell of cleaner is still lingering,” she told me as she turned and led the way down the short hallway past Henrietta, who stepped out of the way and gave me a small nod before going back to her spot in the office.
I had been so focused on the interview I hadn’t noticed the smell until now. “My mother overuses cleaning products daily. I hadn’t even noticed,” I replied.
“Your parents own the Stop and Shop,” she said. It was a statement, I realized, and not a question. She had done her research on me. “On Fridays I treat myself to a cinnamon roll before coming in to work. It has put about five pounds on me this past year, but I feel as if it is worth it.”
We entered the office at the end of the hallway. “Please have a seat,” she told me, waving to the two plush royal-blue chairs across from her desk. She didn’t go sit at the chair behind her desk, but she sat down in the royal-blue chair closest to the wall.
“I moved here last year from Arizona. It was an adjustment for me. Your mother has been very helpful more than once with ordering items I went into the store looking for that she didn’t have in stock. Several times I went in on Friday, and she had three dozen cinnamon rolls set aside for the faculty. You have generous parents.”
Those things didn’t surprise me. That sounded like something my momma would do. I nodded. “Yes, I am very lucky.”
Belinda smiled. “Now, tell me, Ezmita. Why history and why high school students?”
I hadn’t known what kind of questions I would be asked, but this one I was prepared for because I had asked myself the same thing when deciding what I wanted to do with my life. Settling back in the chair, I placed my folder in my lap and began to tell Belinda Campbell just that.
CHAPTER SEVEN
ASA
Unable to stop being curious about Ezmita’s interview, I turned back and headed toward the field house, where I had left Nash. He had picked me up this morning from the hotel to work out with him and the team, but I had planned on running the six miles back to the hotel. That was going to have to wait.
It was empty except for Nash when I returned. Nash was the youngest coach, which meant he was the one with the responsibility to be here every morning to see who showed up and make sure they worked out properly. At least during the summer months. Workouts weren’t mandatory, but if you wanted a chance to start in the fall, you came every morning at six. However, with school having just let out last week, I could see in their eyes this was the last place they had wanted to be today. That would change the closer the summer grew to August, and real practice would begin.
Nash was inside drying off from the shower when I walked inside. His head shot up, not expecting someone, which was obvious since he was barely clothed. The relief in his expression when he realized it was just me was comical.
“Thought you left,” he said.
I nodded. “Yeah, I was, and then…” I paused, not sure how to say this without making it seem like I cared. Which I did, but not to the degree Nash was going to assume. “Uh, I saw Ezmita Ramos.”
Nash nodded his head once, then dried his hair before pulling his shirt over his head. “Yeah, I heard she’s interviewing with Ms. Campbell for the history position,” he replied casually. As if this were no big deal. It shouldn’t be. It was just that I hadn’t even known Ezmita had gotten her degree in history or that she had decided to be a teacher.
“Ms. Campbell is the new principal,” I clarified, making sure that was who he was referring to. When I had been given my job offer, it had been through Coach Rich. However, my meeting would be with the new principal and Coach Rich. It was a chance for me to ask questions about the job and find out details that hadn’t been explained yet.
Nash nodded. “Yep” was his only response as he continued to stare at me. I could see the smirk in his eyes even if it wasn’t on his lips yet. He was fighting it.
“I’ve seen her a couple of times since my return, and she never mentioned teaching. It surprised me is all.” I was explaining this as if I had to. Which I didn’t.
Nash just nodded again, and the smirk began to tug at his lips. Asshole.
“I’m leaving now,” I said, turning to head back toward the door.