out with the upper grades.”
Rob raised an eyebrow. “He?”
“Yeah, his name is Kyle.”
“Oh, I assumed you were talking about a woman.”
Alaina’s eyebrows drew down. “Why? Because teaching is women’s work?”
“No, no .” Rob was shaking his head as he spoke quickly, and his hands were up in a defensive position. “Honey, please don’t think that. You know I respect the hell out of what you do. I guess I was more thinking because all the other teachers are female the student teacher would be too.”
That made sense, she had to admit to herself. “It’s actually unusual to have so many women placed in one school, and in particular when a woman is the principal. Though we do have male staff, just not teachers.”
“So should I be worried about this Kyle?” Rob sat back and started drumming the fingers on the table. “I’d crack my knuckles if I need to.”
She could tell he was trying to dispel the tension he’d unintentionally caused and she let him off the hook. The comment had irked her, but Rob had never given any indication he thought her job was woman ’s work, as she’d accused him. “No. I mean, he’s very…enthusiastic. He’s not even assigned to me. They have him dealing with the upper grades, but he told me to ask him for help if I needed anything.”
Rob scowled. “Sounds like he’s hitting on you.”
Alaina waved away his concern. “He’s probably overeager to please.”
“In the classroom better damn well be the only place he’s looking to please you.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing to concern yourself over.”
He leaned forward, capturing her free hand in his. “Promise to keep your eyes open.”
“Okay.” He was overreacting, but he had admitted to being on the possessive side, which was why she hadn’t been sure if she should mention Kyle or not. The cat was out of the bag now, though.
Rob leaned back. “So when am I going to see you next?”
“Tomorrow.”
“After tomorrow, smartass.”
Alaina thought for a minute. “Tuesday? What time are you guys leaving?”
“We usually practice, break for a quick lunch then are in the air by one thirty.”
“Oh, that’s no good. Probably not until you get back.”
Rob winked. “I guess I better enjoy tomorrow then.”
One side of her mouth kicked up. “You can help me cut out construction -paper leaves for the kids’ art project on Tuesday.”
Deadpan, he replied, “Fabulous.” She laughed and he continued , “By the way, we’re watching the game at my place. I like my TV way better. The players are life-sized.”
“Yeah, yeah. I work at an inner-city school. My salary barely keeps me in clothes with a roof over my head.” Much as she wished that was different, Alaina still wouldn’t trade her job for the world. Of course there was something to be said for financial security, but the satisfaction she got from teaching couldn’t be replaced.
He turned serious. “That’s stupid. Really.” Leaning forward, he said, “I assume you know by now that I make millions every year. And I play a freaking game. Yes, not everyone has the talent and drive needed to become a professional athlete, but at the end of the day, we play a game . You’re changing the lives of children and getting boned. That’s criminal as far as I’m concerned. Athletes and actors and musicians rake in the cash, while teachers, nurses, and all those others who really make a difference in peoples’ lives get the shaft.”
Alaina had to admit she was surprised he felt that way about his own situation. In her experience, a lot of people with those salaries had a sense of entitlement, but Rob was the polar opposite. “But it’s very difficult to get to your level, Rob, and it takes years of hard work and sacrifice. You should be rewarded for that.” She couldn’t believe she was defending his ridiculous paychecks.
“I still feel bad.”
His expression was clouded, and she was sorry their conversation had degenerated
Rob raised an eyebrow. “He?”
“Yeah, his name is Kyle.”
“Oh, I assumed you were talking about a woman.”
Alaina’s eyebrows drew down. “Why? Because teaching is women’s work?”
“No, no .” Rob was shaking his head as he spoke quickly, and his hands were up in a defensive position. “Honey, please don’t think that. You know I respect the hell out of what you do. I guess I was more thinking because all the other teachers are female the student teacher would be too.”
That made sense, she had to admit to herself. “It’s actually unusual to have so many women placed in one school, and in particular when a woman is the principal. Though we do have male staff, just not teachers.”
“So should I be worried about this Kyle?” Rob sat back and started drumming the fingers on the table. “I’d crack my knuckles if I need to.”
She could tell he was trying to dispel the tension he’d unintentionally caused and she let him off the hook. The comment had irked her, but Rob had never given any indication he thought her job was woman ’s work, as she’d accused him. “No. I mean, he’s very…enthusiastic. He’s not even assigned to me. They have him dealing with the upper grades, but he told me to ask him for help if I needed anything.”
Rob scowled. “Sounds like he’s hitting on you.”
Alaina waved away his concern. “He’s probably overeager to please.”
“In the classroom better damn well be the only place he’s looking to please you.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing to concern yourself over.”
He leaned forward, capturing her free hand in his. “Promise to keep your eyes open.”
“Okay.” He was overreacting, but he had admitted to being on the possessive side, which was why she hadn’t been sure if she should mention Kyle or not. The cat was out of the bag now, though.
Rob leaned back. “So when am I going to see you next?”
“Tomorrow.”
“After tomorrow, smartass.”
Alaina thought for a minute. “Tuesday? What time are you guys leaving?”
“We usually practice, break for a quick lunch then are in the air by one thirty.”
“Oh, that’s no good. Probably not until you get back.”
Rob winked. “I guess I better enjoy tomorrow then.”
One side of her mouth kicked up. “You can help me cut out construction -paper leaves for the kids’ art project on Tuesday.”
Deadpan, he replied, “Fabulous.” She laughed and he continued , “By the way, we’re watching the game at my place. I like my TV way better. The players are life-sized.”
“Yeah, yeah. I work at an inner-city school. My salary barely keeps me in clothes with a roof over my head.” Much as she wished that was different, Alaina still wouldn’t trade her job for the world. Of course there was something to be said for financial security, but the satisfaction she got from teaching couldn’t be replaced.
He turned serious. “That’s stupid. Really.” Leaning forward, he said, “I assume you know by now that I make millions every year. And I play a freaking game. Yes, not everyone has the talent and drive needed to become a professional athlete, but at the end of the day, we play a game . You’re changing the lives of children and getting boned. That’s criminal as far as I’m concerned. Athletes and actors and musicians rake in the cash, while teachers, nurses, and all those others who really make a difference in peoples’ lives get the shaft.”
Alaina had to admit she was surprised he felt that way about his own situation. In her experience, a lot of people with those salaries had a sense of entitlement, but Rob was the polar opposite. “But it’s very difficult to get to your level, Rob, and it takes years of hard work and sacrifice. You should be rewarded for that.” She couldn’t believe she was defending his ridiculous paychecks.
“I still feel bad.”
His expression was clouded, and she was sorry their conversation had degenerated
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