Breaking the Rules (5 page)

When he opened his eyes, Hope stared down in his face. “Colin, I'm so sorry.”

Dave ran up. “Are you okay, guys?”

Colin nodded his head. “I see stars, though.” He stared at Hope's face, her brows drawn together and her cute little nose scrunched up. “I'm fine.” He could stare at her for the rest of the afternoon — an angel peeking down at him with the sun behind her head. He cracked a smile to try to make her feel better.

“Then get up, the game's over.” Dave tried to push them up.

Hope carefully arched back and said, “I'm going to move now. Don't get up yet.”

“Whatever you say, Ms. Robinson. Just don't hit me again.” She rose to her knees and got him up without killing each other. Colin studied the sidelines and the spectators laughing around them. Shit. Talk about being on display in front of everyone.

Hope staggered to an upright position as Dave bent down to untie them. “I'm so sorry.”

Colin laughed and rubbed his nose. “It's actually funny,” he said.

Hope bit her lip. “Yeah?”

“Yeah and apparently we were a hit.” He pointed out toward the audience.

“Oh.” Her gaze bounced from side to side and she pulled the hem of her shirt down.

“No big deal. Let's get you to the lineup for the next game,” Dave said as he winked at her then cocked his head at Colin. “You okay, man?”

“Fine. Come on.” He didn't allow himself to touch Hope even when his fingers itched to do so. All eyes rested on them, and he didn't want to add fuel to the fire, knowing the rumor mills started in places like this.

After Colin shook some other father's hand to congratulate them and they moved back to the far side of the line, Hope asked, “Did I break it?”

“No. You have a strong elbow, though. Ever thought of sumo wrestling or joining the WWE?” He rubbed his face as Hope laughed with him. “You're pretty strong, Soxy.”

“Soxy?” Hope jerked her body into an army sergeant position.

Colin titled his head down and whispered, “You know … sexy, Red Sox fan … Soxy.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“You're talking to your son's principal, you know.” She crossed her arms across her chest.

Uh-oh. He crossed the line too soon. He shook his head. “Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.” Shit. What was he thinking? He wasn't thinking. He only wanted to hear her laugh some more. The sound sent warm tingles down his spine, something he hadn't felt in a long time. Spending time with Hope ended up as the highlight of his day, so far, and if he was honest with himself, she was the highlight in his last week. But, he just overstepped his bounds and she didn't like it, rightfully so.

He took his hat off, ready to continue the apology, when Hope began to laugh, a laugh she tried to hold in and sounded airy through her lips. Her hand came up to her mouth to try to hold it back. He lifted a questioning eyebrow at her.

“Soxy? I guess language wasn't your strong point, doctor. You were a science nerd, right?”

“Yeah, but you don't have to laugh about it.” Colin handed the rope to the assistant who stopped by. “And be quiet. I don't want everyone around to hear.”

“Oh, and it's okay if they hear you call me Soxy?”

He looked around the field, anywhere but in her direction. “Forget I said anything.”

She leaned into him this time and whispered, “It's kind of cute.”

He lifted an eyebrow and the megaphone sounded again, bringing their attention away from each other and to the place they should be focusing their attention. “Our next activity is the wheelbarrow race.”

Colin eyed Hope and she eyed him. This would not help their situation.

They both stood quietly without moving — a stare down. He pointed at Hope and then toward the grass. With a curt nod, he said, “Go on.”

“Oh, no … I'll hold you.” She shoved him, but he barely budged.

Colin thrust his chest out and stared down at her. She would not maneuver him across the field. “You're really going to carry me?” He motioned around. “See these other parents? The dads are up and the moms are on the floor. You, down.” He nudged her.

She stood on her tiptoes and pointed into his chest. “I'm not letting you stare at my butt,” she whispered.

“Already done that, so it's nothing new.” He smirked. “Now, down.”

Hope's mouth opened and she placed her hands on her hips.

“Countdown, folks. Three,” Dave yelled out.

Hope's mouth tightened. “Fine.” She scrambled down.

Colin grabbed her feet. “And let me know if your wrists start to hurt.”

“Two.”

“Yes, doctor,” she answered back.

“One.” A whistle blew.

Hope tried to crawl and Colin froze. She peeked over her shoulder, “Are you going to move?”

He flinched. “Oh yeah, just enjoying the view.”

She jerked her feet in his hands trying to bring them down, but he held tighter. “Just kidding. Remember the rhythm. One. Two.”

They started off. This time their rhythm continued without incident. At the end, they high fived each other to celebrate the victory.

Jason ran over from the sidelines. “That was totally cool. How do you guys move so fast?”

Hope's face reddened. Colin had a feeling she went faster because she thought he actually stared at her butt. Even if he did, he wasn't going to let her think that, not after his dumb Soxy comment. He held his hands up. “We make a good team.”

Jason nodded and handed over his Blackberry. “Look, I took a picture.”

Hope squealed. “What? Let me see.” The proof spilled right in front of them. She eyed him with her mouth open. “Maybe we shouldn't continue.”

Jason grabbed the phone and stared at the picture. “Why? I thought it was a good picture.”

“Just don't put it up on Facebook, Jas.” Colin patted his shoulder and then turned toward Hope, holding his hands palms up. “I'm sorry. Let's go line up for the next game.”

Dave announced over the megaphone, “Last relay, folks. We'll come around with a ball. You need to take this ball to the end of the field holding it between your bellies. No dropping it or you start over at the beginning.”

After a few minutes, Dave came over and handed Colin a squishy ball. “Good luck you two.” He eyed them both curiously and walked away.

Hope held her lips together. “This is a little too close for comfort.”

Colin rubbed her arm and tried to lighten the mood. “You forget we've already reached second base.”

Hope glanced around to make sure no one listened. “Colin — ”

His shoulders dropped. “Not funny? Okay. Look at Jason.” He pointed at his son on the sidelines. “You don't want to let him down, do you?”

“Oh, hell. Give me the ball.” She pulled Colin toward her and put the ball between them. “Don't forget I'm Jason's principal.”

“Sure, ma'am.” Colin smiled.

The whistle blew. He placed his hand on her waist and surveyed her face.

She tried her best not to look up at him as he counted off his rhythm. They actually got halfway through the field before Hope said something. “You're enjoying this, aren't you?”

“Like you wouldn't believe.” The ball dropped and Colin picked it up and they ran to the starting line, Hope giggling by his side. As he stuffed the ball between them again, he said, “And don't lie to yourself. You're enjoying this, too.”

“If we're doing this for Jason, of course I am. Now, let's win. Squeeze and get closer.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

“Don't drop the ball,” her voice was hoarse with frustration, “and stop looking at me.”

He smirked. “I make Ms. Robinson nervous, don't I?”

“Shh,” She said. “One. Two. One.” Her lips puckered with annoyance. “You don't make me nervous. All these people around us do.”

He grabbed her waist tighter. “Almost there.”

On the sideline he heard Jason scream, “Come on, Dad. Faster, Ms. Robinson.”

Hope jerked her head towards the crowd. “See? Everyone's watching.”

“Well, if you like it, we can work something out later when we're alone.” He paused. “Ouch. You stepped on my foot.” The pain shot up his leg and for a moment he was thankful she didn't still wear a cast.

“Oops.” She smiled innocently. “Now, quicker. Step. Step.”

“Are you always this bossy?”

“A principal's job never ends, I guess. Step. Step. Don't let go.”

“Promise?” He asked right as they stepped across the line. The ball stayed in place as he focused on her, a smile passing between them. “Second place,” he said softly.

Dave walked over patting them on the back. “Game over.”

Damn. Dave contemplated them with a knowing eye. Colin shouldn't let his attraction to Hope get in the way, but he had no control of himself when he was around her. He should stop flirting, no if, ands or buts. How he would do that was another question.

Anyway, Hope was Kelly's friend — he learned they had gone to school together. Tim was his best friend. That made
them
friends. Right? Acquaintances wouldn't suffice — and neither would lovers, damn it — so it had to be friends.

Hope stepped back and the ball fell. “Are you always such a flirt?”

He pulled his hat down and smiled. “Only to someone I like.”

Jason ran over. “That was awesome.” He fist punched Colin and then Hope. “My basketball game is about to start, Dad. You coming?”

“Sure, Jas.” He turned toward Hope. “Thanks, Ms. Robinson. I appreciate you stepping in.” He held his hand out to shake hers, to prove that he could be a gentleman, even though she didn't think so.

She shook his hand and nodded. “It was fun, Dr. Calaway.”

He grinned to himself as she took on the calm and collected demeanor of middle school principal. “Are you going to let go of my hand now?”

She dropped her hand and held her head up high. “See you later, you two.” Her back squared and for a moment, she looked fearless as a shark. But he knew otherwise. He scared the crap out of her — in a good way — and he wasn't about to let her slip from his fingers.

Hope watched Colin and Jason head toward the basketball court. Again, she couldn't take her eyes off them, staring like a lovesick teenager. Okay. Off
him
. Why did Colin have to be so fun? She sighed. Earlier, when he stood at the relay races with his eyes wide-open, the obvious odd man out, her heart melted. Even though she knew it was best to steer clear of him, she couldn't let him stand alone in that awkward situation. Before she had thought about it clearly, she'd stepped in to be his partner. Now look where that led her — staring after him with her knees wobbling and her girly parts dinging to life.

Kelly approached and cleared her throat. “So, I saw you with Colin in the races.”

Hope covered her face with her hat. “Uh, everyone did. Was it obvious?”

“That you two were giving puppy dog eyes to each other? Nah.”

She lifted her hat. “What am I going to do? Now I have to cover my steps and stay away from him.”

“No, don't. He's totally into you. It's cute.”

“How do you know?”

“Since Beth's accident, he's dated a little, but I've never seen him flirt so much.”

“Really?” She smiled. “It's too bad he's a parent. Now what am I going to do?” She stopped walking. “I should flirt around with someone else. Maybe I'll just seem extra friendly.”

“That won't work.” Kelly shook her head. “It doesn't matter. I think I noticed more since I know you both so well.”

Hope looked around and then whispered to Kelly. “Why does he have to be so cute? Those dimples, damn it.”

Katie Harris's father, who hustled over breathlessly, interrupted her. “Ms. Robinson?”

“Hi, Mr. Harris, you're looking handsome today.” She winced as Kelly kicked her in the shin.

“I thought you might want to know that a student got hurt playing basketball,” he said.

“What? Where?” Her heart raced, and she turned toward the court. Seeing a student on the ground, she jumped and started to run.

“Don't worry. Dr. Calaway is there,” Mr. Harris said running next to her.

“Of course he is.” She eyed Kelly, who ran beside her. “Dr. Calaway to the rescue.”

At the basketball court, an eighth grade student, Ian McKnight, sat on the side with a group of students huddled around him. Colin squatted next to him holding his arm and Ian's parents stood behind the two, his mother twisting her hands together and his dad rubbing his bald head.

Hope took a deep breath. A sense of dread overwhelmed her. She couldn't allow something to mess up the big day. But Colin was talking in a soothing voice and looked them in the eyes. Even though Hope didn't know what happened, she knew the student would be in the best hands. Strong, lean hands. She shook her head.
No, forget that.

“How is he?” Hope asked.

They all turned their heads. Ian smiled brightly and tried to lift his arm, then winced. “Hey, Ms. Robinson.”

“Looks like a broken arm. I was just telling Mr. and Mrs. McKnight that he needs to go to the hospital.” Colin exchanged glances with the parents. “Nothing to worry about. Just a simple cast.”

Mr. McKnight helped Ian up and slapped him on the back. “You always have to play rough, don't you son?”

“Accidents happen,” Colin answered the father.

“Sometimes I don't know with this boy. Come on.”

“Don't move his arm. Keep it close to his chest,” Colin instructed.

They made their way through the small crowd with Mrs. McKnight behind them. “Thank you, Dr. Calaway. We'll see you at the hospital?”

“I'll be right behind you.” He signaled to Hope. “Will you help me find Jason?”