Why does that sound so dirty, and why do I like the idea of him bossing me around?
“Teagan, don’t be chauvinistic,” I say just to appease the feminist part of me that’s shaking her head in disgust.
“Ach! I’m not! I just don’t want you to be out the money. Was Charlie going to pay you for hers?” he asks, catching me off guard.
With a heavy sigh, I say, “Fine. I’ll allow it.” Tickets are only ten dollars, so it’s not a huge deal.
“That wasn’t so hard, was it? I’ll give it to you when I see you next. That work?”
My thoughts turn dirty again. This is a problem. “Sure, sure,” I say quickly, then change the subject again. “What are you doing with the kids at work right now? My brothers and I used to go to an after-school program like that in Texas.”
Teagan’s tone changes from soft and almost sultry to energetic and excited. “Yeah? Did you have a good experience with it?”
“Most of the time. Being a predominantly Hispanic town meant a lot of soccer was played. That’s part of the reason my brothers still play.”
“Did you play too?” he asks curiously.
“Meh. I’d kick the ball around a bit when I was younger, but when I hit middle school, I switched to the dance classes offered.”
“Dance classes? We don’t offer those, not that I’d stand a chance at teaching them,” he jokes.
I’d like to teach him some moves.
“Salsa dancing. I’ve been doing it since I could walk, but the classes were more formal. Also, again, Hispanic community, so it’s a given.”
“Hmmm. I’m going to have to research this. I’ve been doing soccer with the kids since it’s in season. We’ve been working on goal-keeping this week,” Teagan says proudly.
“They have a good teacher! I bet they love it.”
“Aye, they’re a great group.” The pride and affection in his voice melts me. “We’ve had a good time. I wish you could meet Gabriela and her brother. She reminds me of you, actually.”
“Why’s that? Because she’s Hispanic?” I can’t help but tease him.
“Ach, don’t insult me,” he says with a scoff. “Yes, her big brown eyes make me think of yours, but she’s a sweetheart with an undercurrent of sass. She keeps me on my toes, love.”
I laugh nervously. “And that’s a good thing?”
“To be sure. I like a bit of mystery.”
My nerves disappear as I burst out laughing. “Mystery? I’m the least mysterious person you’ll ever meet. I work at a grocery store and study computer science, and I rarely go out or do anything spontaneous.”
“No, lass,” he says seriously. “You are the most mysterious creature I’ve ever come across. I never know what you’re thinking, and it drives me mental. I can’t tell if your smiles mean you’re laughing at me or hiding some sort of secret. When you’re looking at me, I can’t tell if you like what you see or if you think I’m a big eejit. And I like having to work to get you to laugh.”
Ay no. I’m in trouble with this one. He has to have a flaw somewhere. I’m about to tell him that he’s definitely not a “big eejit” when my phone beeps through another call. It’s Papá.
“Hey, I’m so sorry. My father is calling me. Can I takethis and call you back?”
“No worries, Lovely. I know how important your family is to you. I need to at least try to do some homework anyway. Talk tomorrow?” he asks hopefully.
“Yeah, okay.”
“Bye, love.”
“Bye.”
Chapter Eight
Teagan
