When I looked at my calendar, I shook my head. I planned to sit down with Caryn and Kendal and have them help me really practice some effective time management moving forward. There wasn’t much I could do with my current schedule, because I tried to be a man of my word—another life goal—and I’d committed to doing what was listed. This just highlighted the consequences of giving my word on something.
Why was learning a life lesson always so hard?
◊◊◊
When Paul dropped me off at school, Zoe was waiting for me out front. Paul would be with Fritz most of the day while the two of them reviewed our security, and Paul became more familiar with our area. Two things they would focus on were the farms and the new strip mall.
“Morning,” I said cheerily.
“I wanted to see if we could, uh, get together at lunchtime?” Zoe asked.
“Of course we can,” I said as my day seemed suddenly to get better. “I have my Junior Class Project meeting. Why don’t I just meet you in the same music room afterward?”
She nodded, then looked embarrassed and left me standing in front of the school. Apparently, her parents were keeping a closer eye on her, now that they’d talked to Rita James. I knew that they didn’t believe in sex before marriage, and I was sure they strongly suspected that Zoe and I had been together. I was just grateful they hadn’t decided I was a bad influence and told her she couldn’t see me.
What surprised me was that Zoe had arranged for us to get together at school again. I was impressed with her adventurous side. I knew she wasn’t 100 percent comfortable with this, but if she wanted to, I was okay with it.
Tracy and Pam saw me next.
“Was Zoe trying to get another date?” Pam pouted.
“Sort of. Why, did you want one too?”
“Halle said we all got one, except for Brook, of course. She’s had way too much alone time with you in Chicago for the past two weekends,” Pam explained.
“I think this’ll turn out badly if everyone tries to keep score,” Tracy predicted, making me smile.
“Finally, someone with some common sense,” I said, pointing to Tracy.
“I know what you’re doing, and I suggest you need to take more than your little harem out on dates if you expect to achieve your goal,” Tracy said.
“Hold on …” Pam started.
She didn’t seem to like the idea of me dating outside of Halle, Zoe, Brook, and herself. I had another issue, so I cut Pam off.
“What goal?” I asked.
“You’re finally over Tami. It’s time for you to find a girlfriend.”
I gave her a look as I cocked my head to the side to try to figure out how she’d figured that out. Suddenly it came to me … Tami!
“You’ve been talking to Tami,” I accused.
“Doesn’t mean she’s wrong,” Tracy said.
I sure as hell hoped that Tami didn’t believe she could wiggle her way back into my life like this. I stopped and took a deep breath. It amazed me that the mere mention of her name would cause me to have such an adverse reaction. There were still a lot of unresolved feelings there. Maybe I wasn’t as ready to find a girlfriend as I thought I was.
What had to happen was the Brandon situation had to be resolved. After that, I needed to figure out what type of friendship Tami and I might have. In my mind, I wanted to be just friends with her, much like Tracy had become. There was no way I would consider more than that.
“You think I need to date, play the field,” I said.
“I don’t think that’s what she meant,” Pam said.
“No, that’s exactly what I meant.”
Tracy might have just given Pam a migraine.
“I guess I could start saying ‘yes’ to all the inappropriate offers girls have been making,” I said thoughtfully.
“Now look what you did,” Pam huffed at Tracy.
The bell rang, so I acted as if I’d consider my last statement. I wondered how long it would be before one of my ‘harem’ cornered me and straightened out my thinking.
◊◊◊
At lunchtime, we all met about our Junior Class Projects. I made it a point to take a step back and push the others into the lead. It was decided we’d try to fill the bus for the homeless at our first Saturday home baseball game. Brit was in charge of that project. Alan wanted to test his app, and they planned to roll it out next week. Wolf had arranged everything with the school to build the picnic tables.
The goal had been to get the junior class involved. It was decided to let Alan send out text and email messages asking for volunteers.
◊◊◊
After the meeting broke up, I hurried to the music room. There was no sign of Zoe. The girl who’d caught us last time came up to me.
“Your friend asked me to tell you she had something come up.”
I must have looked disappointed.
“I’d be willing to help you out,” she blurted out.
The poor girl looked mortified she’d just said that. I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing. I raised my eyebrows and looked her in the eyes.
“Oh, dear lord, did I just say that?” she asked.
“I’ve been extra horny today,” I said to tease her.
