THE HOLITOPA TRESTLES

CHAPTER 15: STRINGS

Jasper and I walk away from the stadium lights and the roar of the crowd. It's mostly silence, sneaking the occasional peek at the other, like kids with their first crush. The air is filled with something new and familiar at the same time. He stops by the historical marker sign for Rowley's--an old wooden rotunda that gets a fresh coat of white paint every few years. Named after the first President of Magnolia State---Burke Q. Rowley, it's a coveted location for engagement and graduation photos.

"Rowley's has been closed off since August for some renovation, and they always put guards out there during games." I feel smug that the great 'Jasper Mabry' doesn't know that. The guards are a precautionary measure since South Carolina A&M students splattered it with red and black paint after a game several years ago.

"Yeah, I know about Rowley's," he says, cool as a cucumber then motions for me to follow him further.

As expected, there are two security guards posted at the entrance of the short bridge. I see one snicker then look over at his colleague. "Rowley's isn't accessible right now, kids. Y'all get back to the game." He shines his flashlight towards us. His tone is mocking like we should know better and, well, I do.

"Fellas," Jasper steps closer so his face is illuminated by the lights posted around the perimeter.

"Well, shit. That's Jasper Mabry!"

"Mr. Mabry," the other one says in greeting.

Mr. Mabry? My God. This guy isn't even thirty and people around here act like he discovered the mainland. I roll my eyes.

"I wondered if y'all might make an exception for me and Miss Lamar here." He signals for me to step further into the light. I do, but avert my gaze because, all the sudden, I feel like the girl who snuck away from the game with an easily recognizable face and body. Good Lord, what a body.

"Georgie?"

My eyes shoot upwards and away from his ass. His quick, smug smile tells me he didn't miss the lapse in judgment.

"You comin'?"

Tucking my embarrassment away, I follow him to the pavilion surrounded by shallow water and off limits to anyone but the two of us right now. With the exception of a piece of railing that's taped off, the place looks just like it did the last time I saw it--after Britt's graduation that was supposed to be our graduation.

"So I guess this is one of your usual moves with the ladies? You high five your fans, and they let you in places other folks aren't allowed to go?"

"Now, Georgie. I'm offended. I don't need to bribe folks to do anything." The corner of his eyes crinkle in amusement. His arrogance is on another level. I wish it didn't make me want him more. I know that's not a good sign.

"Well, now that they let us waltz on in here, what's your plan?"

"Thought I might get to know you a little better. Then, see if you might like to go on a date with me. That's the extent of it." There's an unavoidable sincerity in his tone, but I'm struggling to buy that all this is just to ask me out.

"OK. What do you know so far?"

"I know you're a teacher who's brave enough or crazy enough to take on middle schoolers."

He chuckles, and I'm surprised by my own quiet laugh.

"I get it. My mom is a retired teacher. Elementary school, but still."

His mom was a teacher. Maybe I shouldn't find that endearing, but maybe I shouldn't have wandered out to Rowley's hand-in-hand with the Deep South's version of a Greek God.