Page 2 of Make You Mine

The older teachers throw us a look and soon leave the room.

“Lower your voice, or you’ll scare off the rest of the school,” I warn my friend.

“Oh, you mean the puck bunnies? I’m sure they left because their blood pressure got high from all the heated talk or something and had to get checked.”

I chuckle. “You’re so mean.”

“Sometimes. But I’m funny too, admit it. You liked that one.”

I shrug. “Guilty as charged.”

“Back to dildos.”

“Yep. Underrated,” I whisper, voicing my opinion. “Better than most men.”

“Girl, you need to lower your guard when it comes to men. In the time I’ve known you, and that’s what—two years?”

I nod. It has been two years since I started working at this school.

“I have never seen you talk about a date. I don’t think you’ve dated anyone. Have you?”

“I have. I never mentioned it because, as usual, the men in my life only know how to disappoint me, and the failed dates I’ve gone on did exactly that.” They all either ghosted me before a second date or left before the fun even started, without even bothering to contact me.

“Men can suck ass,” Hannah says. “But are you going to let a few rotten apples define the rest of your life?”

“I have no interest in dating, Hannah. I’m too busy right now.”

“With your vibe and your slutty books?”

I roll my eyes and nudge her. I do not condone being called out like that. “With work.”

“You know, it’s okay to let go sometimes. You should let me take you out one of these days.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“Would it kill you to say yes?”

But I’m not listening to her words anymore, because right behind her, a man is standing and staring around the room. He’s tall, with short, trimmed black hair, a middle-part hairstyle, wide shoulders, and a chiseled jawline.

The new P.E. teacher slash hockey coach, wearing black pants, a long-sleeved black shirt, and a whistle around his neck to make it obvious who he is, is making his presence known.

“Earth to Maddy.” Hannah swings her hand in front of my face. “What are you so distracted with?”

It doesn’t take her but a second to spin and find out.

“Holy fuck.” She startles. “They were not kidding. He’s fiiine.”

But that’s not why I can’t stop staring.

Why my whole body is tense.

I’m paralyzed.

The owner of my wettest dreams and my worst nightmares just walked through the door.

The one who played me like a marionette seven years ago, in my first year of college, fresh out of high school.

I never thought I’d see him again.