Breaking the Rules Read online

  As if he knew what she was thinking, Colin reached out and stroked her arm. “He won’t talk outside of this house. I’ll make sure of it.”

  His words brought her back to reality. “I appreciate it.” She was suddenly anxious to escape from his disturbing presence. If she didn’t escape soon, she was scared her body would take over again.

  “So, you didn’t like the kiss?” He rested his arms behind his head as he observed her.

  Folding her hands in her lap, she lifted her chin. “It was nice.”

  He tipped his face closer and asked, “Only nice?”

  She rushed her words out, “Okay … gob smacking. It was gob smacking.”

  “Whoa, that good, huh?” He smiled, those damn dimples captivating her.

  She laughed to cover her annoyance, then she sighed deeply. “Colin, even though it was the best kiss I’ve had in a long time, we can’t let this go further.” She stood. “It pisses me off as much as I know it does you. I know you want to take this further, but I’ve told you it’s impossible.”

  Colin brought his cap down on his head further. “Yeah, you’ve told me already. Only friends. Friends who have fun. Wasn’t that fun?”

  “Colin — ”

  “Okay. I get it. No fun.”

  “I’m Jason’s principal. Don’t you think it’s a little weird to kiss your son’s principal?”

  “Not at all. He has nothing to do with it. In fact, Jason didn’t cross my mind at all until now when you mentioned him. Besides, Jason already told me he likes you.”

  “It doesn’t matter what Jason thinks. It matters what I think, what the board thinks, what other parents think. Other teachers, like Dave Hunter. He knew something was going on.”

  Colin stood to face her and crossed his arms. “Well, truthfully, nothing was going on, and nothing has really gone on because you won’t let it. So, stop worrying about it. I’ll stop pestering you. I get it. I don’t need any more rejections tonight.”

  “I’m not trying to make you feel bad. I wish we could take this down the road it was heading, but we can’t. Imagine if you were making out with a patient — it’d be the same kind of thing.”

  “Well, actually, you’ve been my patient — ”

  “Exactly!” Hope pointed at his chest.

  “So, only friends. I won’t continue to beat a dead horse.”

  “Am I the dead horse here?” She wrinkled her nose.

  “Yeah, in a way.”

  “Perfect.” She held up her hands. “All I ask is that we’re friends. We’re obviously going to see each other outside of school. Kelly’s been a friend for a long time. We can just be civil to one another and move on.”

  “Fine.”

  She was irritated by his mocking tone. Why did that make her feel deflated? She should be happy he finally understood where she was coming from. “Fine.” She put her hands on her hips and turned away without waiting for a reply. She stared out across the patio into the swampy area behind the house and she found herself inexplicably dissatisfied.

  Colin let out a huff. “Nice knowing you.” When she turned around, Colin had turned to leave just as his phone beeped in a message. As he checked who it was, Kelly slid the door open.

  “Is everything okay out here? I brought your margarita, chica.”

  “Everything’s perfect.” Hope grabbed the glass and sipped, while glancing at Colin.

  “I’ve got to head to the hospital. Broken bone.” He eyed Kelly. “Thanks for letting us invade your house again.”

  “I don’t mind. And I’m sorry about Tim, you guys.” She half hugged both of them. “He actually feels bad. He’s in there moping.”

  “I need to talk to him and then I’m out of here.” He kissed Kelly on the cheek. “Thanks again.” Walking out, he looked over his shoulder and half smiled. “Bye, Hope.”

  “Yeah, bye.” Hope turned and plopped down in her chair. Mixed feelings surged through her.

  Kelly stood next to Hope’s chair. “What was that all about?”

  “I told Colin we can only be friends. He was hurt, called me a horse, and left.”

  “Wait a minute. Slow down. Start in the laundry room.” Kelly sat next to Hope.

  Hope sat deeper into her chair. “Oh, Kelly, he kissed me. Or I kissed him. Whatever. It was the best kiss I’ve ever had. But damn it, we can’t kiss. I like him, but we can’t do it.”

  Kelly mimicked Hope’s slump. “Well, hell.”

  “I could get fired. I worked too hard to become a principal. I can’t lose this job after only a few months in the school.”

  “Would they really fire you? He’s single after all.”

  “I don’t want to sit around and find out. There’s got to be other guys out there who make my heart hum just as well as Colin. I have to ignore these feelings stirring in me and move on.”

  “He really likes you, too. We’ve set him up on dates before and we’ve never seen him take it to another level. I mean, he’s a gentleman, usually.”

  “You’re not reassuring me. I don’t want to hurt him, but I think I did.”

  “He looked a little mad, not hurt. Things will smooth over. But darn it, you guys would’ve been cute.”

  Lifting her hands up in a helpless manner, Hope practically yelled, “So, set me up with someone else. I need to rattle these feelings out.”

  Kelly circled the margarita glass with her finger. “I can’t believe you’re going to let me set you up.”

  “Do it before I change my mind.”

  “You’re on.”

  Chapter 7

  Hope sat on the bleachers overlooking the indoor pool. The Harbor Bay Prep team huddled in the back near their coach, Dave Hunter. To her left one mother adjusted the bathing suit of a swim member. Next to her sat Kelly, who promised to attend the meet until her afternoon ESL class. She needed the moral support, and the kids always loved to see their teachers there.

  Two pre-teens walked by and waved, “Hi Ms. Robinson. Mrs. Weeks.”

  Kelly talked to them while Hope nervously looked around. Swimming was Jason’s sport, and she would most definitely see Colin here. After their fiasco at Kelly’s house last weekend, she was nervous about seeing him.

  Once the girls walked away, she looked around the pool area until she found the younger Calaway at the far end next to the coach. “There’s Jason. I wonder where Colin is.”

  Kelly whispered back, “Oh, Colin’s parents are two seats behind us. I guess I should’ve pointed that out.”

  “That probably means he won’t be coming.” She felt a weight off her shoulders. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him, but since their talk at Kelly’s last weekend, she felt an overwhelming guilt. She knew she must have hurt him or at least angered him. Seeing him again would only add to her lapse in judgment.

  A whistle blew and several teens lined up on the diving platforms. Jason wasn’t among them. Coaches lined the other end of the pool with eagerness in their eyes. A win would be excellent for the Harbor Bay Prep reputation. She clapped her hands and yelled to her team.

  As the second whistle blew, a tall figure appeared to her side — a tall, well-built figure with a Yankees’ cap. Oh, hell. It was him. That low ping settled in her belly again, the one she always experienced when she first saw him. She tried not to stare in his direction and focused on the swimmers in front of her, all the while keeping a sideways glance on Colin — she couldn’t help it.

  He looked really good. He wore relaxed jeans and a dark blue medical shirt, the kind doctors wore in the surgery room. Just came from the hospital, no doubt, not even time to change. On top of his head, he wore that darn cap. She smirked to herself. That hat was his security blanket, obviously.

  Colin ascended the bleachers and sat behind them, next to his parents. He
didn’t even look her way. She didn’t blame him, but at least he could’ve acknowledged her. Clapping her hands some more, she whistled and tried to think of other things. Impossible.

  Hearing his cheers behind her, she briefly turned, trying not to look obvious. His eyes were on her. She smiled and he smiled back, then turned his attention to the swimmers. So, that was it? No hello, no how ya doing, no “I want to kiss you again.”

  Hell! What a mess she was. She was the one who said they could only be friends. And that was the way it had to be. Leaning back and crossing her legs, she turned to Kelly, who looked at her with knowing eyes.

  Kelly gave a curt nod. “You better go talk to him.”

  “Not now. He’s with his parents.”

  “You sound like a teenage girl. You’re the principal, for goodness sake.”

  “I know. I will. Just let my heartbeat get back to normal.”

  Kelly laughed and side hugged her friend. “Hey, we won!”

  Both of them stood and clapped. Hope heard a “whoop” behind her and refused to turn to look again.

  Next up, she saw Jason. Colin trotted down the steps to the railing and looked down to the pool, yelling, “Come on, Jas!”

  Jason looked over and waved, then adjusted his goggles and swim cap. Standing on the diving block, he took the stance of a professional swimmer. It was impressive. Glancing at Colin, she saw his nervous posture and wished she could go stand next to him. Not giving into her desire, she only clapped and called Jason’s name. To support my team. That’s all I’m here for — to support my team.

  Colin pulled down his cap. When the whistle blew, he leaned forward on the railing, calling Jason’s name. It was sweet. He supported his son, as any father would. Colin stopped once Jason was in the middle of the pool and chanted his name. Watching them together brought Hope’s longing for a family to the forefront. Jason would make the perfect son and Colin the perfect husband.

  She flinched because the thought startled her. Where the hell did that come from? Hope stood to get her mind back on the swim meet. She hoped like heck Jason would win. It looked like he was in the lead, but it was close.

  Once Jason reached the end, in first place, Colin jumped up with a fist punch to the air. Jason snuck a peek toward his father, and the two smiled at each other. A warm snuggly feeling entered Hope’s heart. So sweet. Hope walked to the railing, and held up her thumb. “Great job, Jason.”

  Colin eyed Hope quickly, then looked back at Jason. “Keep it up, Jas.”

  When Jason walked away and Colin didn’t say anything, she started the conversation. “That was awesome. He really is good.”

  Colin glanced in Jason’s direction. Jason was banging the side of his head to get water out of his ear. “Wait until the butterfly. That’s his best stroke.” He finally looked at her, his eyes boring into her. A small smile crept up his face. “How are you?”

  She shuffled her toe on the tile floor. How could she bring their awkwardness back to normal? “Really good. And you?”

  He swallowed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Great.” When Hope didn’t say anything else, he looked toward the bleachers. “I guess I’ll go sit down.”

  She reached out and pulled his arm to stop him from walking away. Her eyes looked up to where Colin sat earlier. His parents watched them. Weren’t they here to watch Jason? Looking down at her hand on his arm, she realized they were quite the spectacle for the stands. There was no denying their attraction with the way he smiled, warming her to the bone, and her hand on his arm.

  She let go of him. “Are those your parents?” They had to get out of the spotlight, but she didn’t want to be rude to Colin — again. “I’ll come with you.”

  “Yeah, come meet them.”

  Colin walked her to his parents, his hand on the small of her back. “Mom, Dad, this is Hope Robinson, Jason’s principal.”

  Mr. Calaway stood and reached out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Robinson. Our Jason is a prize swimmer.”

  “I see that, Dr. Calaway. It’s great you’re here to support him. Harbor Bay Prep thrives on our parental support. Grandparents, too.”

  Mrs. Calaway held her hand out. “Would you like to sit?”

  Hope bit her lip and glanced at Colin, who gestured to the empty spot next to his mom. “Just for a bit.”

  Colin continued to stare out at the pool, ignoring the conversation between his parents and her. But she saw that nervous twitch in his jaw, and he pulled his hat down.

  “So, you and Colin know each other well?” his mother dived right in.

  “Oh, uh, yes. We’ve — ” Hope stumbled. How did she explain they were just friends to his mother, for crying out loud?

  Colin stepped in, still without eye contact. “We’ve met about Jason’s detention. Remember, I told you that. Plus, she’s good friends with Kelly, Tim’s wife.”

  “I see. So, you’ve seen each other outside of school.”

  “Yes, Mom, we’ve seen each other at Tim’s place.” He looked at his mom and shook his head, eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

  His mother backed down. Interesting.

  She smiled at Hope. “Jason’s one of the best swimmers, Ms. Robinson.”

  “I see that.” Hope looked out toward the pool. Again, she saw Jason lining up for the breaststroke. “I should be going, so you can concentrate on your grandson.” She stood and shook their hands. “So nice to meet you. Good seeing you again, Colin — I mean, Dr. Calaway.”

  Colin stood. “Will you be coming to the team luncheon?” Even though the whistle blew, his eyes rested on her face. “The team celebrates after each match. Today’s lunch is at the Burger Shack down by the beach.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Colin nodded and looked out at the pool.

  “See you, Colin.”

  He clapped and yelled Jason’s name. “Yep. See you.”

  Hope looked down. Mrs. Calaway stared at the two. Great. His mother had that sixth sense, just like Kelly. Before Hope meandered away, Colin’s mom winked with a twinkle in her eye.

  • • •

  The chaos among the twelve swimmers from Harbor Bay Prep swelled into Hope’s ears. Once several students saw her by Burger Shack’s front door, they jumped up calling her name and dragged her to their group table. Many parents stood up, shook her hand, and thanked her for coming.

  One parent, Lisa Graham, pulled another chair by her so that she would sit down. “So glad you made it. Usually the principal is too busy to hang out with us folks.”

  “Of course I made it. I’m so proud of our team for taking eight medals.”

  “Can I get you a tea or a salad?” a voice asked behind her. She looked over her shoulder. Colin stood with his hands in his pockets, looking down at her. He had changed from his blue surgery shirt into a black polo and he still donned the to-die-for jeans.

  “That sounds great. Thanks.”

  Colin signaled a waitress over and ordered her usual. Funny he knew her so well. Once he ordered, Colin sat down next to her. She hadn’t noticed the other empty seat. He must have been in the bathroom or something.

  “Glad you made it.” He smiled her way. “You met Lisa? She’s Kyle’s mom.”

  “I’ve spoken to Mrs. Graham a few times in the hallway.” Hope eyed Lisa, who smiled and then tapped the table and told a few boys to quiet down. She then moved to talk to her husband, which gave Colin and Hope a little privacy, if you could call it that at a table with twelve swimmers and their parents.

  “You must be a proud dad. Three medals.”

  He swung his arm around Jason’s shoulders. “Couldn’t be happier.”

  “Hey, Ms. Robinson. Did you see the meet?” Jason stuffed the last French fry in his mouth, which made Hope laugh. He was a great eater, in addition to a swim
mer.

  “You did great, Jason. The whole team did.”

  “I wish I had a mom to come watch me.”

  Colin sat back and wiggled in his chair. It tore at her heartstrings. This must be something Jason said regularly, or if not, at least something that wasn’t easy on Colin.

  “Well, I promise to come to your next meet, too. I had a lot of fun.”

  Jason smiled. “Remember the Racer game? There’s another one over there.” He pointed to the back of the room. “You should’ve seen Dad go crazy just now. He beat me, Kyle and Steven, who’s like the best player ever.”

  “Well, you haven’t seen me play.”

  Colin laughed. “I’d like to see it.”

  “Yeah, Ms. Robinson. You versus Dad would be a great game.”

  Colin shrugged his shoulders. “What do you say?”

  “You’re on.”

  Again the fun took over whenever Colin was around. She didn’t even hesitate when Mrs. Graham and her husband looked up as they scooted in their chairs. Some of the other kids saw them and followed them to the arcade games.

  When they reached The Racer, Colin made a sweeping motion of his hand toward the game. “Ladies first.”

  She sat in the seat and took a breath. It had been a long time since she sat at an arcade game like this. And here she had pretended she was good at it.

  Colin bent down to eye-level and looked at her. “I’m gonna belt you in.” He pulled the belt around her waist and tightened it. He put in the quarters and she felt the seat jerk to life. “Hold it steady. The seat and the wheel have a life of their own.”

  Now she was scared. She had to be belted in? “Maybe you should’ve been first.”