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  ***

  After school, Amber was standing in front of Sal’s, a local pizzeria. Her blonde hair was long and straight and she was wearing a tight pink and black dress with heels. “Hey, Amber.”

  “Hi, Zach, are you ready to go inside?”

  “Sure.” We found a booth right by the entrance and our waiter, Antony, came right over. I told him to give me my usual steak bomb and cheese with fries and she ordered a crispy chicken wrap.

  We sat and talked for hours, which was weird. I wasn’t used to getting to know someone like this. We usually just had sex. By looks, she didn’t seem like she had anything worth talking about, but believe it or not, we had a lot in common.

  She’d just moved here from Missouri and wanted to get a lacrosse scholarship to Barnes University. We had been in the booth so long, I’d lost track of the time. It wasn’t until I got a text that I realized I was late for practice.

  C-man: Dude wtf? Where r u? Coach is pissed.

  Me: On my way, got caught up.

  C-man: Oh I’m ‘sure’ u did ;).

  I laughed after reading his message, he knew me too well, but he was actually wrong this time. I returned my attention to Amber and let her know I had to go.

  “We can hang out tomorrow if you want?” she said.

  “Sure, I’ll text you after practice.” I motioned for Antony to come over so I could pay the bill, but she insisted on splitting it with me. Another first for me.

  “She looks like a keeper, Zach,” Antony said to me.

  “Hey, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. We just met. For all I know, she could be a trained assassin, hired to kill me.”

  “It’s always the cute ones right, son?”

  “Right, Tony. I gotta go, see you tomorrow!”

  She was standing outside the door when I came outside. “Amber, did you forget something?”

  “Yes,” she said. Pulling me into her arms and placing a kiss on my lips, then walked away. That caused an immediate throb in my pants, and I knew there would be many more of these happening around this girl.

  ***

  Zeke

  After class, Ms. Sheppard asked me to stay behind. Zach gave me the evil eye and I smiled at him as he exited the room, envious.

  Ms. Sheppard walked by me and locked the classroom door and pulled down the window shade. Suddenly, I felt like the air changed in the room and my sweater felt like it was going to strangle me.

  “Uh-Ms.-”

  She walked back over to me and placed her hand on my shoulder telling me to hush.

  “It’s okay, Zeke. I just wanted some privacy, that’s all. No need to freak out, yet.” She grabbed the seat beside me and pulled it directly in front of me and sat down, slowly crossing her legs. “So, you’re willing to do ‘anything’ to alleviate my stress?”

  My palms started to sweat, and I swallowed hard, nervously shaking my head yes.

  “Good. Now I’d like you to help me sort and organize the papers on my desk.” I wasn’t exactly sure where she was going in that moment, but helping her with paperwork sounded a lot better than what was originally going through my mind just then.

  ***

  We spent the better half of three hours together. She signed and graded papers, while I sorted and filed every single one. We seemed to make a pretty good organizational team.

  After she graded the last homework assignment in the pile, I took it and filed it away.

  “Hey Zeke, thank you for your help tonight. Would you like to go and grab a bite to eat? I could give you a lift home afterwards.

  Part of me wanted to say, ‘Hell yes, we can do whatever you want.’ But, I said “Sure, I just have to let my mom know I’ll be home late so she won’t freak out.”

  Me: Going out 4 dinner, be home late.

  She gathered her things and I tossed my bag over my shoulder and followed her out of the room and into the parking lot. A black Mazda coupe was the only car left in the lot and I was quite surprised as she clicked the receiver to unlock the doors. “This is nice.”

  “It’s not what you expected, is it?”

  “No, not at all.”

  “I bet you thought I drove a van, or some beat up Toyota or something, huh?”

  “Maybe,” I laughed.

  “I’m in the mood for burgers. What about you?”

  “I’m good with burgers.”

  “I know a great place, Frankie D’s Burger Hut. They’re right on the oceanfront and have the best burgers in town!”

  “Then we need to get there as soon as possible, Ms. Sheppard.”

  “After school you can call me, Max.”

  We drove around for quite some time before I saw the water appear beside us. A huge neon sign that said Frankie D’s appeared and there were a bunch of people lined up in front of it. The building was small and I hoped we didn’t have to wait forever for a bite to eat.

  She got out of the car and I soon followed. “Ready, Zeke?”

  “Do we really have to wait this long?”

  “Nope.” She said unbuttoning the top clasp on her shirt.

  She grabbed my hand and led me to the front of the line. “Hey Max,” a tall bald guy said.

  “Hey, this is my friend Zeke, he’s a first timer.”

  The guy looked just like a club bouncer. He gave me a once over, laughed and let us right in. Once we were inside, I realized this was more than a burger joint, it was actually a club. “Uh, I feel like I shouldn’t be here, Max.”

  “Don’t worry, Zeke. We’re only here for food. We don’t have to dance, unless you want to.”

  She led us to a small window, where a guy with the name tag Marty was. She ordered two bottomless fry baskets and the ultra burger with the works. I had no idea what that was, but I made sure to let her know I was allergic to mayo.

  He told us our order would be ready in fifteen minutes and gave us a huge red table sign with the number twelve on it. Max brought us to a table out back. We had the perfect view of the water and it was surprisingly quiet.

  “So, Zeke, can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Why don’t you and your brother get along? Sometimes I can’t stand my sister, but I don’t have as much hate for her as I can sense between you and Zach.”

  “I don’t even know where to start. Uh, I guess things changed between us about three years ago.”

  “What happened?”

  “A girl happened.”

  “Oh, well if you don’t feel comfortable telling me the full details, I totally understand.”

  “I’ll tell you when the time is right.” I wanted to bask in the moment and not kill it with my past. The moon reflected off the water and illuminated the area around us. She was even more beautiful under the moonlight. I could feel my forbidden love for her grow at that moment.

  Chapter 11

  Day 7

  Zach

  “And where the hell were you at so late last night, Zeke?”

  “None of your business.”

  “It’ll always be my business. You’re never out past eight, especially on a school night.”

  “All right, Mom. I was out grabbing dinner with a friend.”

  I could tell he was getting pissed off at me and I loved every second of it. We haven’t really gotten along since I stole his girlfriend three years ago. So I tormented him every single chance I got, just to get a rise out of him.

  I decided to leave him alone and let him get ready for school. As much as I loved to piss him off, we had another important game tonight and I had to focus my attention on that.

  On my walk to school I received a text from Amber.

  Blondie: Hey, I know this is last minute, but I’d like to hang out again after school today.

  Me: Can’t, I have a game.

  Blondie: What time?

  Me: Six, feel free to come and watch.

  Blondie: Offer accepted. C u then.

  ***

  Zeke

  I was on cloud n
ine today. Nothing, not even Zach, could bring me down. Max and I connected on such a deep level last night, it was surreal.

  All we did was share a huge half-pound burger and talk under the stars all night, but I felt so comfortable around her. I felt like I could be myself, talking to a beautiful girl, not my teacher.

  I made sure I left the house after Zach this morning. I wanted a peaceful walk, alone. Not an interrogation session on my way to school.

  ***

  “You look awfully happy today, Zeke,” said Rachel.

  “I guess you could say that.”

  “Don’t forget, we have our first Mathlete competition in two weeks! I hope you’ll be able to focus then.”

  If only she knew how hard that would actually be. The person who was responsible for my distraction was going to be there.

  ***

  Zach

  Amber and I were really starting to hit it off. She actually showed up at my game last night and we hung out all night afterward. I never really got to know a girl before I met her. Usually we’d bang and that would be the only connection we had.

  This almost felt like it was too good to be true how well we clicked.

  I was on my way to lunch when she yelled my name from the opposite end of the hallway. Chris was with me and he gave me the go ahead to leave. I sprinted down the hall, trying not to seem so desperate to hang with her.

  “Hey, Amber.”

  “Hey, I figured since I’m still pretty new around here, we could sit together at lunch.”

  “Sure, sounds good.” She smelled so good, good enough to eat. Her hair was in a ponytail and she had a tight pink sweat suit on.

  We walked into the cafeteria together and all eyes were on us. I was used to it, but it was clear she wasn’t. Whistles and cheers went surging through the crowd, and she grabbed my arm clinging to it. “What’s wrong, Amber?”

  “I have severe anxiety. I’m not used to this many eyes on me at one time.”

  “Well, welcome to Sheercrest. If you chose a less popular guy to walk in with, this would be no big deal. But you chose the star quarterback babe, so you get the royal treatment now,” I laughed.

  Chapter 12

  Zach

  “So Zach, who’s the blonde you’ve been hanging with?” Chris questioned.

  “Amber. She’s smokin’ right?”

  “Yeah. Is she new? I’ve never seen her around here before.”

  “Yeah, I met her at the diner a few nights ago. She came up to me and handed me her number.”

  “Hmm, seems suspicious.”

  “What do you mean, Chris?”

  “I don’t know. A smokin’ hot chick meets you at the diner, hands you her number and y’all have barely even said more than two words to each other?”

  “True, I didn’t even question it. I’m so used to random shit like that happening.”

  “I know. I still smell a set up bro, so be careful.”

  “Will, do. See you at practice tomorrow.”

  Coach had finally given us a night off. He wasn’t totally over the Highlander loss last week, but he could tell we were exhausted.

  I went to toss my books in my locker and forgot I left my football in my Creative Writing class. I went back to get it but the door was locked. I knocked a few times, and could hear someone moving, before they finally came to the door.

  “Yes.” Ms. Sheppard asked.

  “I forgot my football, can I have it back?”

  “Uh-sure. Give me one sec, okay?” She locked the door back and I heard her fumbling around.

  “Are you all right, Ms. S?”

  “Yes, I just hit my foot on a chair. I’ll be right there!” She came back to the door and opened it just enough to hand me the football. Curious to what she was up to, I pushed it and saw him, sitting behind her desk.

  “Zeke? What’s going on here? Are you two—banging?”

  “No, why would you think that?” she said with a suspicious look on her face.

  “I don’t know. The door was locked; there were a lot of weird noises coming out of here. Looks pretty suspicious if you ask me.”

  “We’re just doing paperwork, you jealous douche,” Zeke huffed.

  “Sure, and I’m the queen of England. It’s okay, your secret is safe with me, brother.”

  She shut the door and I couldn’t contain my laughter. She dissed me? For Zeke? Give me a fucking break.

  ***

  Zeke

  “Great, just great. Now he thinks we’re having sex.”

  “Well, we’re not.”

  “That doesn’t matter, though. To him, we’re banging and now my life will continue to be a living hell.”

  “You’ll be fine, Zeke. And besides, who cares what he thinks? We know the truth and that’s all that matters.”

  I couldn’t argue with her about that. Part of me wished what Zach thought was true, but it wasn’t. I enjoyed helping her everyday but my heart wanted more.

  After two hours of brainstorming and paperwork, we were finally finished. Max looked like something was bothering her, so I came right out and asked her. “Is everything all right, Max?”

  “No, but you don’t need to hear about my stupid problems.”

  “It’s okay, that’s what I’m here for. To help alleviate your stress, any and all of it.”

  “Well, last night, my boyfriend Tommy broke up with me.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. May I ask what happened?”

  “I found him cheating on me. With my sister of all people.”

  “Are you freakin’ serious? I’ll kill him! I mean, what a jerk!” She looked at me with her dark brown eyes, tears began to form in them and I instinctively grabbed her and pulled her into my chest. I don’t know what came over me, but I felt the need to protect and nurture her. She was too beautiful, too special to sit here and cry over some jerk that never deserved her in the first place.

  She cried so hard she soaked my shirt, but I didn’t care. I kissed the top of her head and let her know that everything would be okay.

  Suddenly, she broke free from my grasp. “I can’t do this Zeke, you’re my student. I shouldn’t be crying in your arms. I could get fired for this!”

  “You could get fired for crying on me? That’s one I’ve never heard before.”

  “No, it’s—complicated. I appreciate you letting me vent, but this can never happen again, okay?”

  “Yes.” I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on in her mind. This was just an innocent act of comfort and nothing more.

  She offered to give me a lift home, but I declined. It was a cool fall evening and I needed some fresh air.

  Chapter 13

  Day 8

  Zach

  Son of a bitch. He was winning. Never did I think he’d actually beat me at something. Especially not a prize like Max.

  Amber sensed something was up with me last night. I couldn’t focus for shit. I didn’t expect to be like that.

  I was in the kitchen eating a protein bar and drinking a shake when Zeke entered the room. He looked depressed—like he lost his pet or something.

  “What’s wrong, bro? Couldn’t satisfy her? That’s okay, it was only your first time,” I joked, but he didn’t respond. It was like he was stuck on zombie mode or something. “Zeke, you okay?”

  He glared at me as he slammed his bowl on the table, but still—no answer. I decided to quit busting his chops, since it was obvious something bad must have happened last night. Something so bad I wasn’t able to get under his skin.

  ***

  Zeke

  I woke up late today hoping he would already be gone. But low and behold, he was sitting at the kitchen table when I walked in.

  I was so hurt by Max’s actions last night that I practically drowned him out. I felt like I caused her more pain and that wasn’t my intention.

  The sheer look of horror in her eyes as she broke free from my grasp gave me chills. It also let me know that I should steer clear from her for a
while.

  After Zach left, my mom came into the kitchen and asked if I was all right, too. Damn, how bad did I look this morning?

  ***

  After a quick shower, I tossed on my sweats and a black shirt and made my way to school.

  I ran into Rachel on the way. The last person I wanted to see this morning. “Rough, night?” she asked.

  “That obvious?”

  “Yep. What’s wrong, bestie? You can tell me.” If I told her the truth she’d be crushed—so I lied.

  “Zach took things a little too far. You know him, the practical joker.”

  “Well, that’s terrible. I should really give him a piece of my mind when I see him later.”

  “No! Don’t. I have it all handled.”

  “Okay, okay. Jeez don’t bite my head off!”

  She remained quiet the rest of the trip to school, which was a godsend, and—rare.

  During homeroom, she didn’t say one word to me. This gave me plenty of time to think, I needed to find Max and clear the air.

  ***

  Zach

  I was sitting in my history class bored as hell until the teacher, Mr. Geoffrey, gave us our homework assignment.

  “Class, I would like you to write a research paper about any event or discovery that happened during The Great Depression.”

  Sally Langston, the class pet and goody two-shoes raised her hands.

  “Yes, Ms. Langston?”

  “I have a question. How long does this have to be? And can I choose more than one subject to talk about? There were so many awesome things that happened during that time. Hemmingway, Ford, just to name a few.” She sat back with a huge grin on her face, pleased with herself.

  “Three pages—typed and double spaced. Due in two weeks. Yes, you can choose more than one topic, but they need to be connected somehow.”

  All I heard was blah—blah—blah. I’m such a smarty pants, no one will ever screw me.

  The bell rang, ending my misery and saving the day. I practically ran out of the door, pushing everyone out of my way.

  I saw Zeke moping down the hall and held my tongue. I walked beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder instead. He was my brother and like it or not, even he needs a break from my tormenting.

  I knew he was upset because of Max, what I didn’t know, was why?