Page 34 of Bad Man on Campus

Lifting my chin, I say, “This is Beau and Belle.” I take their hands and bring them in front of me. They’re shy with the cameraman hovering over Phoebe’s shoulder. The red light is off for the moment and she has the mic dangling at her side, but I’m mindful that we could go on at any second, at her whim.

She lifts her mic then as if she’s read my thoughts and the cameraman straightens and the red light goes on.

“Beau and Belle, how adorable. I didn’t realize you had children, Glory. It’s good to know the university makes it possible for students with children to participate in—”

“No, no, these aren’t my children.” I should be angry with her, but I can’t, it’s just not there, because I know she’s lashing out because she’s hurting. Like Mrs. Jennings, she’s had a loss and she’s having a hard time with it. And we all have our imperfect ways of dealing with loss.

The hot mess that I am, how can I judge Phoebe?

As if to defy me, Beau clings to my leg and Belle reaches up asking to be lifted into my arms. “I take care of them at the campus day care.”

Phoebe smiles, lowering her mic. “Oh, my mistake. An honest mistake, as they seem so fond of you.” She turns and circles her hand at the cameraman then says to me, “See you later at my sorority party.”

She leaves and I let out a heavy breath, still feeling the sting of heat in my cheeks.

“I don’t like that lady,” Beau says.

“You didn’t think she was pretty?”

He nods because he thinks every woman is pretty. “But I didn’t tell her.” Smart boy.

* * *

At halftime Kace manages to meet me and the twins in the tunnel, using his charm or status or a bribe I’m not sure which, but I don’t care because I’m too glad to see him. The team is winning, the dance routines went flawlessly, and the atmosphere is festive and light. He’s carrying a small white paper bag. I decide he bribed his way in as he reaches us, giving me a quick hug and a smile at the twins.

“You know they have food for us in the locker room,” I say.

“Nothing this good.” He opens the bag and the scent of my favorite food wafts out, warm and crispy apple cider donuts. I want to mangle him with a kiss and climb his body, but we’re in G-rated company so I give him a small but heartfelt kiss on those panty-melting lips of his. Belle squeals and Beau screws up his face. I grin at them and bring them in to join the hug.

“Wait till you taste these donuts Kace brought us, then you’ll want to hug and kiss him too.”

Bending down, Kace lifts Beau from the ground and puts him on his shoulders. Then he lifts Belle into his arms. They squeal with delight.

“Are you Miss Glory’s boyfriend?” Belle asks with big round eyes.

“Yes, I am.”

Beau kicks him in the shoulder and squeezes his head.

“Watch it there, sport,” Kace says.

“Glory is my girlfriend,” Beau says.

“You can share me,” I say and hand Beau half a donut. I hand Belle the smaller half.

“Is this a bribe?” Beau says.

“You’re smart for a four-year old.”

“You deserted your friends to come down and visit me?” I accuse.

“They gave me shit—I mean heck, but it was worth it.” He puts the twins down and I take their free hands while they munch on their donut.

“We do have to go inside. Mrs. Perini is picking up the kids. Coach says one of the stadium officials told her they can’t be on the field without official clearance and no way are they going to clear a couple of toddlers to be on the football field to possibly get trampled by an overly zealous stray tackle. We were lucky to sneak them in.” I wonder again if Phoebe had anything to do with it. I purposely don’t mention my encounter with her to Kace.

“Not surprising.” He pulls me to him and lowers his voice. “But you’ll need to give me a real kiss before I go.”

“In front of the children?” I say, breathless and giddy.