Page 1 of Extracurricular with Mr. Abbot
ONE
ERIN
I stare at the apartment, boxes surrounding me, and I try not to cry. Gary’s gone, and I’m alone. My big brother is the best person I know, and without him, I wouldn’t be here. He’s helped me so much and has continued to do so. When our mom died two years ago, it was Gary and me that was left. Our dad was long gone, already moved on, and started a new family. Losing mom was hard—probably the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, will ever experience—but I had Gary to lean on.
Being sixteen when I lost her, it was such a fundamental age, that I found it really hard to break through the grief, there was so much that would happen, and I’d be so excited for, and then it would hit me. Mom wouldn’t be around to see it.
Pain slices through me as I stare at the boxes in this empty room. I’m alone. For the first time in my life, I’m truly alone. Gary is already on his way home, a two-hour journey, and I’m here at Brightmore University, California. I should be happy, excited, and enjoying every bit of this experience, but I’m not. I feel as though I could cry. I’m scared that I’m going to be a failure and that I’ll be a disappointment to not only my mom but also to Gary.
My cell buzzes, and I see that it’s a message from my brother. I smile as I read the text.
Gary: Stop it. No crying. You’re going to have so much fun and anytime you need me. Just call. I love you, Erin. Never forget it.
I laugh. God, how did he know that I needed that message, and how the hell did he know that I was crying?
He’s right, it’s a two-hour journey and a phone call away. It’s not as though he’s on the other side of the world. I start to unpack the boxes, a little less sad than before, but also a bit excited for what’s to come. I hope I make friends.
* * *
I walk outof the pizza place with food. I’m starving, it’s taken me all day and most of the evening to get the boxes unpacked. Thankfully, it’s all done, and I don’t have to worry about it anymore. I’m a neat freak. I like things in a certain way, and I can’t deal with the mess. Having the boxes lying around for days was never an option. I thought I could leave them overnight, but I broke out in a sweat at the thought. It’s done, and now I have a week before college starts to unwind and get used to the campus.
As I exit the store, I’m jarred backward as a hard body collides with mine, and I rock back on my feet, my pizza box goes flying in the air, and I’m so focused on trying not to fall on my face that I can’t save it. It lands on the ground with a splat, completely ruined.
Hands reach out to steady me, managing to catch me before I fall to the ground. “Christ, I’m so sorry,” a deep gravelly voice says as they pull me toward them.
I glance up and look into the palest blue eyes that I have ever seen. “I’m okay,” I whisper to assure him.
His lips thin as he shakes his head. His dark brown hair cut short into an almost buzz cut. He’s got a square jawline that’s chiseled, and he’s freaking gorgeous. I’ve never seen a man that looks as good as him. “I should have been watching where I was going, I’m so fucking sorry, let me get you another pizza.”
I glance at the ground to see where the pizza lies and back to the guy. “It’s fine,” I say. “It was an accident, there’s no need.”
He shakes his head and takes my breath away as he smiles. God, so damn hot, it should be illegal. “There is, come on, let’s get you a new one.”
I blink as he takes my hand and steers me back into the pizza store. He orders his own and then lets me order mine. I reach for money to pay him back, and he gives me a sharp look. “You paid once already, I ruined that one, I’m not an asshole, I’m paying, so please, put your money away.”
I sigh, but truly grateful. “Thank you,” I say and give him a smile. His gaze moves from my eyes down to my mouth and back up again. I shiver at the intensity of his eyes. God, they’re so beautiful.
“What’s your name, beautiful?” he asks, and I roll my eyes, the corny lines don’t work on me.
“Erin,” I reply as I stick out my hand. “And yours?”
The moment he takes my hand, electricity courses through me, the air crackles around us and thickens. I look at him and see that his eyes are heated and he’s staring at me as though he wants me. “Jared,” he replies, his name rolls off his tongue smoothly.
“Well, Jared,” I begin, as I pull my hand away from his. “You really didn’t have to buy me dinner, I do appreciate it, though.”
“You’re not like most women, are you?” he comments.
My brows knit together. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask insulted for womankind.
“I mean, most women would jump at the chance for a free meal.”
I place my hands on my hips and glare at him. “It’s not a free meal, is it, Jared? I had already purchased my food, and some oaf knocked into me.”
His chuckle is husky and sends shivers down my spine. “You’re right. It’s not. So how about I take you out for dinner tomorrow night?”
I wrinkle my nose, unsure if I should.
“Cute,” he says as he presses a kiss against it. “What are you doing tonight? Do you have plans?”
