“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Mr. Cooper,” Dylan snaps.
I pull out of Dylan’s arms and look at Gavin. “It’s okay, Dyl. Can you give us some privacy?”
“Oh, hell no!” Dylan growls. “Not after what he did to you.”
The crowd is disbursing so Dylan’s words garner the attention of a few onlookers.
“Dylan, it’s fine. Give me a minute.”
“What the fuck ever,” Dylan grumbles as he takes a few steps to the side. “I’m giving you five feet of space and no more.”
I roll my eyes at Dylan but appreciate his protectiveness all the same.
“How are you?” Gavin asks in a hushed tone.
“I’m good,” I lie. “Busy packing and stuff. I’m heading to Florida in a few weeks so I can get settled before school starts.”
“Oh…that will be nice, I guess. I hear the summers are pretty hot there.”
“Yeah…I guess,” I hedge. “How’s Frodo?”
“He’s having a blast with all the moving boxes.”
“Oh…so you’re leaving soon then?”
He nods. “Next week.”
“I’m going to miss the little guy.”
“He’s going to miss you too. We both will.”
I stare at my shoes. “Gavin, please don’t do this. It’s too hard.”
“Kat—”
“All right, that’s enough time,” Dylan announces as he rejoins us.
Gavin ignores him. “Kat, please just talk to me. It doesn’t have to be like this.”
My throat thickens. “I don’t think—”
“Kat!” Bree shouts. “There you are!” She runs up to me and pulls me into a hug. “We did it!”
Dylan tugs on her elbow. “Bree, come to the vending machine with me to get a drink. I’m thirsty.”
Bree is undeterred. “Oh, keep your pants on, Dylan. There will be plenty of tequila to wet your whistle at the bonfire.”
Gavin clears his throat again, getting Bree’s attention.
“Oh, shit!” she shouts. “I mean…uh, hi, Mr. Cooper. I didn’t see you there.”
Gavin smirks. “I picked up on that, Miss Hanson. Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” she beams. “Oh my God! You have to get a picture with Kat while you’re here!”
“What?” Gavin and I shout in unison.
She gives us a strange look. “Well, Kat’s been going on all year about how you’re her favorite teacher. I think she should at least have a picture to remember you. Don’t you?”