My team isn’t that bad. Even though we have Mrs. Gallagher, the oldest teacher in our entire district, we also have Rebecca, our computer teacher. She’s tall, and I’ve seen her crush a beer can on her forehead at one of our holiday parties. Maybe I can hide behind her and use her as a human shield.

“Mrs. Gallagher, you and Mrs. Stevenson can hang in the back,” Chris says. “I want you guys collecting the balls once they hit the floor. Rae and Michelle will stay off to the sides. You ladies are going to distract the other team. Aim low.

“Rebecca and I will be up at the front. They’ll be so focused on trying to take us out, Rae and Michelle should be able to pick them off when they’re not looking.”

The sound of a whistle slices through the room. When I glance up, Jaxon is front and center on his side of the court.

Shit. He’s here.

In a black T-shirt that stretches across his broad chest, sleeves snug around his muscular biceps, he stands tall and proud with a dazzling smile.

His good looks only make me angry. They’re wasted on such an asshole.

“Thank you all for coming,” his deep voice booms over the microphone. “And thank you to the teachers who volunteered to entertain everyone tonight. We’re all here for a great cause. Your donation will go towards feeding the underprivileged families in our town.”

My hands are shaking. Come on, Rae. You’re raising money for the kids who need it. You can do this.

When Jaxon’s speech ends, the room erupts in applause and cheers. Chris points out where he wants us to stand, and I slip my mouth guard into place. I expect Jaxon to take the spot opposite me, but he hangs back instead. I don’t have time to wonder what his plan is because the whistle blows and we all rush toward the balls in the middle of the room.

Game on, Fuckwad.

Jaxon

Everyone always runs for a ball when a dodgeball game starts.

Everyone but me. I wait. Watch. Look for the weak links.

It’s obvious that Mrs. Gallagher and Mrs. Stevenson are the easiest targets, but Chris put them in the back. Smart strategy. He and Rebecca are going to be tough to beat.

Michelle’s a new teacher. She’s pale with dark hair and thick black-framed glasses. She looks like she belongs in a tech lab rather than a dodgeball game. But when you don’t have tenure, you have to step up and volunteer for everything. Poor thing. She should be easy to pick off.

Then there’s Raegan. I almost laughed when I saw the black streaks under her eyes, but my gaze continued downward to her legs in those tight black shorts. I remember when I tossed those legs over my shoulders and buried my face in her …