Someone Like You (4 page)

“Anybody sitting here?” His voice gravelly. Was he feeling the same pull at seeing her the first time after their contact?

“No. I usually sit with Taylor, but she’s out today.” Brie shrugged her shoulders, trying to be as casual as she could, given she felt even more jittery around him today. “Seat’s open.”

He glanced at her hands. “No cookies or coffee? I’d be glad to fetch you some.”

“No thanks.”

Dropping down, he stretched out long legs encased in the navy pants of his sweat suit and settled in, his wide shoulders almost touching hers. He folded his arms across his chest.

She said, “I met with Matt on his free period, if that’s why you sat here.”

He gave her a cute smile. “It wasn’t. But how’s he doin’?”

“The outline I told you about is more than adequate. Now if he can write the paper well enough, he’s set for this week.”

“He will. I have faith in him.”

Brie had asked this once, but said again, “Why, Nick?”

“Like I told you before, I know kids.”

“No, there’s more to your interest. I--”

Dylan’s voice broke into their conversation. “If everyone could get settled, we’ll start now and have you out of here in an hour.”

People cheered.

The agenda was light and Dylan saved the item that interested Brie most until last. “Finally, I’d like to make you aware that senior students taking Dynamics of Citizenship this semester are starting their service projects. They’re excused from school the last period of the day, opposite their three times a week DOC class, to head out into the community. They’re also required to put in a certain number of hours on their own time.”

Dylan explained the project more thoroughly. When he was done, hands shot up. The principal seemed taken aback. He called on a science teacher, Tom Speranza.

The man stood. “Dylan, we appreciate all you’ve done here in such a short time. But because you’re new, there are some things you haven’t got a handle on yet. A lot of us aren’t happy about these projects. And rumor has it you’re thinking about filtering them down to other grade levels.”

Dylan’s expression didn’t change. “What is it you don’t like, Tom?”

“Mostly the time this work takes away from their studies. I meet with students every day after school and those DOC kids aren’t available.”

“Twice a week.”  The statement came from Nick, who stayed seated, didn’t raise his hand and spoke before Dylan could answer. Brie knew Nick was well-liked and respected and had been teaching here at the high school for twenty years.

Tom glanced at him. “What’d you say, Nick?”

“I said the kids are only out of the building two days a week.”

“Yeah, but they have activities after school that take up the other days.”

“Which they’re excused from if they need academic help.”  Brie watched Nick’s face turn completely innocent. “Unless our fearless leader here has changed the policy, in which case I object to his decision.”

He knew, of course, Dylan hadn’t changed anything.

Tom frowned. “Still, this project gets more…excessive every year.”

A woman in a leather skirt and leopard print blouse stood. The outfit immediately told Brie it was Delaney Dawson. “Helping out the community, doing good deeds is excessive? Even the president is encouraging volunteer projects in our schools. I’m totally behind the program and expanding it if we could.”

Freed from Speranza’s stand, several other teachers spoke up for of the service projects. Only a few, Tom’s friends, sided with him. Dylan let it go on and Brie knew what he was doing—using the teachers to make his point.

Nick spoke up again. “Tom, all my athletes are at your disposal during activity period when we usually weight train and, if you want, even into the first part of practice.” He cocked his head. “And I challenge other coaches and advisers to do the same.”

A rumble of agreement went through the faculty.

Someone tossed out jokingly, “Easy for you to say, Corelli. Your team is undefeated.”

“Tell you what,” Dylan finally intervened. “Why don’t those of you who have objections similar to Tom’s meet with me personally so we can be sure you all have your say.”

Another sound of approval.

Dylan glanced at the clock. “We went over by a few minutes but I’m glad we had this discussion. As always, thanks for your input, especially about the last topic we discussed. It’s important to clear the air. Have a nice afternoon.”

When the meeting broke up, Nick started to stand. Brie grasped his arm to keep him in place. His expression was more serious than usual. “Thank you so much for standing up to Tom and his cronies. And for voicing a viewpoint the other teachers could support.”

His navy blue eyes sparked. “I meant what I said. And besides, I don’t cotton to bullies. Anyway, it wasn’t much.”

It was to me,
she thought as she watched him go down the aisle.

o0o

Nick was minding his business, walking to the cafeteria to eat lunch when he saw kids gathering in a part of the hall wider than the rest. Shouts came from the inside the circle they made. Shit. A fight. Racing over, he threaded his way through the students and just when he got to the middle, two boys hurtled at each other. Nick grabbed one of them and pulled him back. The other lunged, Nick shoved the first to the side so the second came at him and landed a fist in his face. Nick stumbled back. Dylan, appearing out of nowhere, corralled the second kid.

“Stop it now!” Dylan shouted.

The boy struggled to get free and the first one tried to get around Nick.

Nick’s voice boomed, “Stop this right now!”

The two kids came to an abrupt halt. The assistant principal, Ben Rossettie, crawled his way through the surrounding students and took the one Nick was holding by the arm.

“My office. Immediately,” Dylan said. To another teacher, he asked, “Bring the other along, would you, Joe?”

Before he followed the staff and kids, Dylan turned to Nick. “Thanks, buddy. Better have the nurse check you out.”

Now that the adrenaline rush was fading Nick felt the pain radiating through his face. “Hell.”

Teachers dispersed the students and Nick saw Brie was among them. He waited until she approached him. “You okay, big guy?”

 “Yeah.” He touched his cheek and winced. “I gotta get ice on this.” He could make it to the nurse’s office by himself, of course, but he was never one to miss an opportunity. “Walk me down,” he coaxed. “In case I get faint.”

“Oh, sure, that’s a going to happen.”

“Hey, you never know. I’m injured.”

Brie shook her head but fell into step beside him. “A lot of teachers won’t jump into a fight like that.”

Nick scowled at one of his pet peeves. “If a teacher stood by as a fight broke out and my kid got hurt, I’d sue the school.”

“Me, too.”

He stopped. “You shouldn’t get in the middle of something like that, though.”

“Why?”

“You know damn well why. A pretty little thing like you would get pummeled between two thugs like that.”

“Lord save us from sexist southerners.” 

He scowled. “Doesn’t make me wrong.”

“I’ve done it before, you know.”

“Broken up fights?”

“Uh-huh. So has Annie.”

“I’ll have to get Dylan on that one.”

They reached the nurse’s office just as Angie Larson was closing the door. “Oh, I was going to lunch.” She frowned. “What happened?”

Nick said, “Guess.”

“A fight? Shit. We haven’t had one since Dylan took over.” Nick liked the no nonsense nurse. She reopened the door, let him in and went to the fridge for ice. When she handed the cold pack, he said, “Go on to lunch, Angie. Brie here can take care of me.”

“I--”

“She wants to. Can’t have you starving because of me, darlin’.”

Angie looked to Brie. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I already ate. Go ahead, I’ll babysit the hero.”

When Angie left, Nick held out the ice. “My arm hurts. I don’t think I can hold this to my face.”

Again she rolled her eyes, but took the pack and put it on his cheek. It stung for a minute. She was standing in front of him while he sat and he had a bird’s eye view of her breasts, today covered by a purple clingy shirt.

He let out a heavy sigh.

“You okay?” she asked.

He winked at her. “Just enjoying the view, ma’am.”

When she gave a chuckle, he sat back and did indeed take pleasure in the sight of her.

o0o

On Friday night at the Fox, the town’s movie theater, the antics on the screen made Brie giggle like a schoolgirl. Robert Downey Jr. was covered with baby powder that had toppled off a high shelf. Everything he tried to do to clean himself up backfired and he made the situation worse. “This is so funny,” she whispered to Ian, who was chuckling too.

“I had no idea that a romantic comedy could be this much fun. Guys don’t know what they’re missing.”

Briefly, she wondered if Nick Corelli would like the film. Then she cursed her thoughts. She was enjoying herself tonight with Ian, and she didn’t want another man to intrude. But the truth was she’d been unable to get Nick out of her mind. The feel of his biceps, rock hard under her fingers, the feral glint in his eyes at the unintentional close proximity were still vivid in her memory. But it was his spirited defense of the DOC program at the faculty meeting that came to the forefront. Not many people dared to stand up to Speranza’s crowd.

Damn it! Her date with Ian had taken her mind off him enough to have fun.

Hadn’t it?

o0o

“Hey, Coach, where are you?” His assistant, Mike Laramie, nudged Nick in the arm. “You keep looking up in the stands.”

“Nah. I never look up in the stands.”  Well, he didn’t until now, anyway. Damned if he hadn’t thought maybe Brie would come tonight—even if she had a date.

Disgusted, he faced the field again where bright lights beamed down on the players, the marching band finished playing and fans began to chant, “Go Spartans.” The quarterback called a play. Matt threw a pass and Nick watched it fly through the air and bullet into a receiver’s hands. The kid ran the ball into the end zone, nailing down their lead. He punched his fist into the air. “Yes!”

Matt was having a good day all around. This morning he got a B+ on the paper he’d handed in for DOC and Brie had sent Nick a copy of the email she shot off to the mayor. Matt had been elated before the game and it was so good to see him happy for a change.

And Nick was pleased by the performance of their team. So why, when he turned to the bench, did he once again scan the bleachers for Brie and Ian? This was the last place they’d come. So what? It was their loss. The night was a warm and they were probably stuck in some restaurant, talking, or eating. Or maybe they were at Ian’s bachelor pad doing…

Damn it, he wouldn’t think about what they might be doing!

Chapter 4

Ian had hinted he’d like to come in when he brought Brie home; she evaded him. She’d had a great time, but for some reason she wanted to end the date. Maybe she’d call Annie to see who won the game. Hell, no she wouldn’t!  What did she care, anyway?

Her face alight, Cella raced to the door as she always did when Brie had been out. “Mommy, you’re home.”

“Who’s this?” Brie asked.

“It’s me, Cella. Lisa did my hair in a French braid and put makeup on me.”

“That’s why I didn’t recognize you.”

“Silly Mommy.”

Lisa came up behind Cella. “You said it was okay.”

“I did. Thanks for playing with her.”

The sixteen-year-old grabbed her purse. “I can walk home alone. It’s only a few houses down.”

“Which is why Cella and I will escort you.” She paid Lisa and held out her hand to her daughter. “Come on, baby. Let’s enjoy the beautiful night.”

The three of them made the trek to Lisa’s house with Cella chattering away about the fun she’d had with her babysitter. On the way back, Brie thought about how she loved this down time with daughter, cherished it really. She had a good life now, once she’d gotten past Jared’s death.

When they reached her house, a black suburban pulled into the driveway next to hers. Oh, for God’s sake. Maybe she could get inside without…Nick exited from his car.

“Mr. Corelli. Hi.” Before she could stop Cella, the girl ran next door.

“Hi, there, sweetheart.” He squatted down. “What’s this? Does your mama let you wear that war paint?”

“It isn’t war paint. It’s makeup.”

“Hmm. You’re as pretty as a South Carolina sunrise.” He stood. “Miz Gorman. How was your evening?”

“Fine. Yours?”

“Super.”

She felt an odd sense of excitement. “Did we win?”

A huge grin spread across his face. How was it that she’d never noticed the dent in his chin? “We sure did.” His eyes danced. “Still undefeated.”

“How’d Matt do?”

He stared at her a moment, hands on hips, like she’d seen him do on the field when he was assessing a situation. She couldn’t help but notice how his jeans gloved his legs and his long sleeved navy shirt fit as well. “How ‘bout if I tell you that on your deck with a glass of vino. I got a good Cab in my wine rack.”

Tugging Cella closer, she tried to resist. “I, um, I need to put Cella to bed.”

“I can wait. Go ahead. I’ll meet you out back.”

Cella smiled. “’Night, Mr. Corelli.”

“’Night, pretty girl.”

Sighing, Brie admitted she didn’t want to object to Nick’s pushing himself on her. She didn’t want to refuse his offer of wine on the deck. “All right, I’ll be a minute,” and went inside. She could sense he watched her walk into the house.

o0o

Nick was shocked Brie accepted his invite. Even though he was her closest neighbor, he hadn’t socialized with her after Jared died. Oh sure, he helped her when she got in a jam with the boat, when her water tank broke, or when she couldn’t put away the outdoor furniture by herself.

So the fact that she said yes to his suggestion of a drink with him meant—exactly what did it mean?

With a spring in his step, he grabbed the wine and glasses, trekked across their yards and sat in a chair out on her deck watching the waves peak on the lake.