One of Them Girls by Cala Riley (the gingerbread man read aloud txt) 📕

Maybe that’s why I’m gravitating toward him. He makes me feel things I haven’t felt in a while. He makes me feel more like the old me. He makes me feel like I’m more than this one event in my life.

A pang in my chest hits me as I watch him pull Ryan’s old hiking boots on. Ryan liked to hike with me. I haven’t had the urge to bring anyone else with me since he passed. Even though Jared hiked with us from time to time, I couldn’t bear going with him now.

Yet yesterday when Xavier called, I smiled. When he teased me, I laughed. Not a forced laugh, but a genuine laugh. Then, before I knew it, I was inviting him with me.

Let’s not talk about the ride here. I don’t know why I called him Avi, but it stuck. I didn’t lie to him. It’s easier to say, and it’s a cute nickname. What I didn’t tell him is that it makes him hotter.

Maybe that’s why butterflies swarmed my stomach when he said only I’ve ever called him that. Or why my heart raced when he picked out his own nickname for me. One that’s only his.

“How long is this hike and do we have a game plan?” he asks, pulling me out of my head.

I shake my head and say over my shoulder. “Don’t get killed. I don’t have a very solid alibi.”

“True. I did leave my car at your place and I told Jack and Tinsley I was going hiking with you.”

“Tinsley?” I frown.

“My best friend from back home,” he says, falling into step with me.

“Ah. The infamous best friend from the video message.” I can’t deny the pang of jealousy that hits me.

“Don’t worry. You’re my only Adra. So this way?”

He breaks off, heading in the wrong direction.

“You’re going to get lost. This way, dummy.” I point toward the sign, telling us where to go.

“Ah that’s what those signs are.”

I smack his arm, taking up the lead. “Don’t stare at my ass.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he says, but as I peek back, he’s totally staring at my ass.

He glances up and gives me a cheeky smile. “Sorry. It’s like it’s the Earth and I’m the moon. I can’t help but gravitate around it.”

“That was cheesy as fuck.” I face forward.

“Cheesy, but you liked it.”

“Not at all,” I say, hiding the smile on my face.

Xavier

I follow Cassi up the trail, watching her ass sway side to side.

Do not pop a boner, do not pop a boner.

“So tell me something about you.”

“What do you want to know?”

“What are you majoring in?” she asks, looking over her shoulder.

“I’m going for my teaching degree. I want to work with kids.”

“Really?” I hear the skepticism in her voice.

“Really.”

“Uh.” She turns around, walking backward as she looks at me. “I can see it.” She nods. “You’d be the hot teacher all the high school girls want.” She winks, turning around.

“Yeah, because that’s what I was shooting for.” We both laugh. “What about you?” I ask.

“I’m undecided, much to my parents’ dismay.” She sighs. “I don’t know why they think I should decide now.”

“At least your family is okay with whatever you choose. My father is currently in denial and thinks I will switch to a business degree like he wants,” I say bitterly.

“Don’t want to run the family business?”

“Not at all.” I shake my head adamantly. “What about you?”

Cassi shrugs. “I could see myself living on a ranch. Working with horses and cattle. Is it what I want? I’m not sure. But I like the option to pursue something else.”

“I could see it,” I say, picturing her working with animals and living off the land.

“What made you choose teaching?” she asks, taking the attention off of herself.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the story before. There was a teacher when I was younger who listened, helped. Made me want to help the next generation.”

“Come on, it’s not that generic. Tell me the entire story.”

I let out a deep sigh. “Honestly? I didn’t even know what I wanted to be. Not even back then. I’ve always been groomed to take over Dad’s import and export business. Then, in the eighth grade, I met Mr. Roberts. He was a strict guy, but fair. He was never mean, just firm. Always pushing his students to be the best versions of themselves. I guess that’s where it started. I watched how he was. The way he could care for so many students at once. You could tell he cared too. No matter how many times a kid caught an attitude with him or how many jokes they made, he never gave up on them. I guess I realized that’s what I wished my father were like. It didn’t happen right away. I didn’t leave his class deciding to become a teacher. That was later when I realized if I continued to let my father lead my life the way he wanted, I would be miserable. So I thought about what I wanted to do. What would make me happy? That’s when I thought of Mr. Roberts. I realized what would make me happy is to do everything I can to help the next generation. So I came here.”

“That’s admirable you know.” She looks back over her shoulder, raising a brow.

“If you say so.” I huff, feeling the strain of the hike set in.

“So your father doesn’t approve?”

“He thinks this is some sort of rebellion against him. He is hoping that I decide to change majors. Honestly, the only reason he hasn’t cut me off completely is because of his image. In order to save face, he has to at least pretend to support me. Can’t let his associates see him disown me.”

“If that’s the case, why do you still use his money? I don’t mean that as an insult, but you could really make it on your own.”

I give her a sad smile. “If only it were that easy. This is really hard for