Learning to Love by Julie Evelyn Joyce

Author:Julie Evelyn Joyce [Joyce, Julie Evelyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781999484231
Publisher: Julie Evelyn Joyce

14

Will arrived on Wednesday to an empty Phys. Ed. office. Rebecca was likely working out. He was beginning to learn her routine. He hadn’t figured out Pete’s yet, though. Some days he’d show up early; others he’d slip in ten minutes before the bell rang. But he always made time to check in with Will, make sure he had everything he needed for the day ahead, and reflect on the previous day’s lessons.

He sincerely hoped Rebecca hadn’t divulged what happened on Friday to Pete. Or anyone, for that matter. He doubted she would. The students had had the weekend and two school days to forget about it. If they didn’t bring it up, he wouldn’t.

Dropping his bag on his desk, he shoved his lunch in the fridge—leftover lasagna, thanks to Carmen—and headed off to the gym in search of Pete to discuss his afternoon lessons.

He spotted the big man right away, on his knees next to the equipment room, tearing open boxes. “What’s in the bo—” He cut himself off mid-sentence as he drew near enough to see the answer to his own question. New basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls.

“Hey, buddy!” Pete said. “C’mon over and lend a hand. It’s Christmas in October.”

Will had almost forgotten about the deal he’d made with his father. Edward had clearly held up his end of the bargain. Now Will would be expected to do the same. He tried to take heart in the fact that the greater good was in giving to a school in need. Every reward required a sacrifice.

Crouching down next to Pete, he started ripping into boxes, the scent of new rubber and leather filling his nostrils.

“Patrick told me early last week the school got a donation from some benefactor. Said I could put in some orders for new equipment. This is just for starters.” Pete stood to retrieve the basketball cart in the equipment room and rolled it out on its squeaky wheels. “We’ve got lots more money to play around with in the spring, but we’ll need to make some room for it. Get rid of the equipment that’s falling apart and make a plan. Ledgey doesn’t know yet, but she’s gonna flip.”

As long as it couldn’t be traced back to Will, that was fine. It wasn’t about him. And he didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.

“You guys having a party without me?” Rebecca called from the doorway of the gymnasium. She cocked her head to the side as she moved toward them. “What’s all this stuff?”

Pete grabbed one of the unboxed basketballs and tossed the wrinkled lump to her. “Christmas came early this year, Ledgey. Our department got a huge donation.”

She stared at the ball, then glanced at the boxes all around them. “Ah, right. The donation. I just heard them talking about that in the main office.”

Will felt the heat of her gaze on him, and he focused more intently on the task at hand.

“I didn’t realize you’d already made some orders,” she said to Pete.

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