Outside the Lines Read Online Free PDF

lead him back through the hall. “The doors all look the same, so look for the big yellow four,” I say, pointing to our room number. I push through the door and realize I don’t know where I have a free desk. I decide to put him up front, next to the cabinet of curiosities. “This will be your desk, okay?”
    He slips into the seat and sets the shark jaw on the desk in front of him.
    I lean against my desk. “Did you bring your lunch, Sherm?”
    He shakes his head.
    As if on cue, the classroom door opens and Big Brother is back with a lunch card. “Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to . . .” He holds up the card between his index and middle fingers, and the light flashes off a chunky ring on his right pinky. It’s identical to Sherm’s, but heavier—proportionate to the size of his masculine hands. It has a topaz the same size as Sherm’s diamond set in the center of the band.
    â€œIt’s fine,” I say, pushing off my desk. “We were just taking the tour and getting Sherm settled.”
    He moves deeper into the room and crouches in front of his little brother. “What you got there, champ?”
    Sherm pulls the shark jaw closer without looking at his brother.
    The older brother’s mouth presses into a line, and concern creases the corners of his eyes as he slips the lunch card onto Sherm’s desk and stands. The tension between them is so thick it’s nearly choking me.
    â€œExcellent, Sherm,” I say, tapping the card. “Now you won’t have to miss out on our famous peanut butter and pickle sandwiches.”
    Sherm’s nose scrunches as he glances up to see if I’m serious. When he sees my grin, he smiles back.
    â€œYuck,” I say making a face. “I’m only joking. We’re really having frogs’ legs and fluff sandwiches.”
    Sherm breaks into a giggle, his whole face lighting up for a second.
    Big Brother’s eyes pull into saucers as his gaze lifts to me. He opens his mouth as if he’s going to say something, but then closes it and focuses back on his little brother. He grasps Sherm’s shoulder and gives it a squeeze, making Sherm flinch. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll be back when school gets out at two thirty. I want you to wait right here for me, okay? Not outside, but right here in your classroom.”
    Sherm nods grimly, and it strikes me again how odd this whole situation is. Granted, I don’t have a lot of experience in the classroom, and I know families come in all shapes and sizes, but there’s definitely something off here.
    â€œOkay, champ,” Big Brother says, moving toward the door. “See you in a few.” His eyes catch mine just as the door closes, and I curse under my breath at the prickle of goose bumps I feel.
    I think I was in this very classroom when I had my first real crush. This feels exactly the same—weak knees, sweaty palms, pounding heart. This building must be some kind of time machine. The Hormone Portal. I step inside and am instantly transported back to prepubescence.
    I shake the feeling away and move to my desk, pulling open Sherm’s file. I scan the page and find it lists Robert Davidson in the Parent/Legal Guardian box of his paperwork.
    Is that a father? Or guardian? Could it be Big Brother?
    I can still feel the press of his gaze on my body. There’s no doubt Big Brother is hot . . . in a frighteningly intense sort of way. But even if he was interested, then what? I’d be pretty shocked if dating the guardian of one of my students isn’t grounds for getting fired—or at the very least, severely frowned upon. This is a tree I definitely shouldn’t be barking up.
    Especially because there’s something about Big Brother that isn’t quite right.
    Maybe if I can get Sherm to talk, I can solve that particular mystery. I just hope it doesn’t end with a call to child protective