She seemed distracted. What had her father said during their brunch? What if she was so distracted on the ride home that she got into an accident, or like, hit a deer?
Fuck. She could be on the side of the road right now, unconscious.
“What’s wrong with you, Romeo?”
I snapped my head up from where I’d been standing with my hands on me knees in the boxing ring. “Fuck you, too.”
Sam shook his head in exasperation as he punched his gloves together.
“That was me asking how you’re doin’, asshole. Relax.”
Breathing out, I tilted my head back and forth, trying to keep my shoulders loose. I’d been on edge since Polly left the club, and now I was snapping at my best friend.
“Sorry.” I bounced on my feet and hit my gloves together. “Let’s go.”
Sam got in three more punches—three more than he should have—before he stopped and put his gloved hands on his hips. “Jesus, Jace. You sick or something?”
While some friends may take advantage of their best friend on their off days, Sam wasn’t one of them.
“My head’s not right today. I think I’m gonna take off.” I started toward the ropes, Sam falling into step with me.
“Anything I can help with?”
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. “If I tell you something, can you keep it to yourself?
Sam grinned around his mouth guard. “I knew it. You’re hitting that, aren’t you?”
I growled and started stalking toward him as he backed up. “Joking, joking.”
“Forget it,” I mumbled, taking off my gloves. “I gotta bail. I have to mow my parent’s lawn and then get back to home.”
I blinked, realizing it was the second time I’d called Polly’s home, my home.
Luckily, Sam didn’t pick up on my slip up. “I’m sorry, ok? Come on. Tell Uncle Sammy.”
“Don’t call yourself that again.” I hopped down from the ring and Sam quickly caught up to me in stride, wisely saying silent, for once.
As we walked to the locker room, I reluctantly admitted, “I quit my job at the club this morning.”
Sam stayed quiet.
“And I’m thinking of applying to college again. I’ve been turning over the idea of teaching for long enough. Working with kids every day, making a difference in their lives. Sometimes all it takes to change a life is having one person in your corner. I think I’d like to be that person.”
Ever since I’d worked with Max on magic, seeing his face light up with every trick he learned, I could feel it: this is what teaching would feel like.
Sam scratched his neck. “You’ve never told me your decisions ahead of time before. Usually, when you want to do something, you do it.”
“Your point?”
“I don’t think it’s quitting your valet job, or even college that’s bothering you. You haven’t been acting like yourself for over a month now.”
Sam had a point. He also wasn’t an idiot.
“It’s the girl.” Sam stopped short, just before the locker room, crossing his arms.
I narrowed my eyes. “She’s not just a girl.”
Wry smile in place, Sam rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I figured that out when I was moving a ton of flowers behind a shed in the middle of nowhere.” I was silent as he continued. “And I also figured out that you’re not just in it for the puss—” his words cut off at the sharp look I sent him.
