There were a variety of programs set up at the education center for underprivileged kids and their families after school. There was everything ranging from ballet and gymnastics to soccer and swimming.
“I don’t know.” He looked at the floor. “Football, I guess?”
I felt a small wave of relief. Today would be a good day. I wouldn’t have to prod and convince him. Normally he chose not to participate in any of the clubs, but for some reason, football had sparked his interest.
I hoped it pulled him out of his shell.
Something had to work.
“Well, come on then.”
We scurried through the maze of halls past my third grade classroom door and out the exit door to the playground, where just a few minutes ago I had spotted Hunter watching the other kids play.
I couldn’t say what the exact date was that I decided Hunter was going to be my project. Or when I decided that I would do everything I could to watch over him and protect him. It just sort of happened. Like when the leaves changed in fall. It happened in front of my eyes day after day until I was the one responsible to pick him up in the morning from the foster home where he stayed. I enrolled him in the center’s community club program and was responsible for returning him home at the end of the day.
Some days I kept him a little late and we’d get dinner. Or if we had an early release day I’d take him to a movie.
One look at those big green eyes and a face that was constantly covered in smudges. Shaggy blond hair that fell into his eyes and my heart fell for this kid.
“Have fun, Hunter. I’ll be inside grading the writing assignments, ok?”
He had wandered to the outside of the circle. I was worried he might not make it inside the group and would spend the afternoon on the perimeter. I couldn’t hover. I couldn’t intervene every time. I knew that.
“Excuse me, Julie?” I heard someone call my name and I turned on my heels.
Raising my hand to my forehead, I blocked the sun from my eyes and squinted trying to get a better view of the person with that deep booming voice. But I knew who it came from before he came into focus.
7
Kane
“You are Julie Bristow? This has to be a fucking joke.”
I stared at the woman I had defended last week. But instead of tight cutoff shorts and a barmaid apron, she was wearing heels, a pencil skirt, and a cardigan.
“Oh God.” Her mouth dropped open.
I chuckled. This was fucking sweet.
“What are you doing here?” she hissed, tugging me away from the group of children near her.
“Reporting for volunteer service. You are my sentence.” I felt a primal urge kick in. Something from last week was unearthed when I laid eyes on this angel-turned-devil again.
“I don’t get it. What are you talking about?”
“The judge today assigned me to the community center. Something about helping a bunch of fucking kids.”
I saw the fury in her eyes. “Don’t you dare say that here.” She moved me farther from the group. “You aren’t going to march in here and start dropping f-bombs around my kids.”
“Then why don’t you sign off on this damn piece of paper and I’ll be out of here?”
I lifted my arm and extended the court order I had received only a few hours ago. The paper was crumpled and folded four times. I had almost shredded it in front of the judge, but my attorney stopped me. Savannah was right behind me too. She would have never forgiven
me if I did that in the courtroom.
“I don’t need to read it.” She folded her arms across her chest. It was hard to believe the woman I had taken in the back room was living in the same skin as the uptight teacher in front of me.
“Guys! Guys! It’s Kane Hawkins.”