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‘charms’ of guys like you are normally remedied with topical creams.” The words were out before Ireland could even attempt to filter them. She kept the file up high so he couldn’t see her aghast shock at her own statement.
    L eaning forward, he tried to force a smolder. “What was that, sweetness?”
    Ireland pressed her lips together in a firm line and calmly laid his file on her desk. The flaring of her nostrils was the only indication of the storm that raged within. One simple little pet name, that was all it took to make her pulse pound through her veins, feeding into the white hot rage that made her want to grab him by the hair and smash his face into the corner of her desk. Rational thought tried to weigh in, whispering that this innocent youth had no way to know that her asshat ex used to call her that. Ireland held firm to that reminder as she took a cleansing breath and leaned forward with her elbows on her desk. “I get this little act of yours, believe me I do. Before your voice changed, and your balls dropped, the girls didn’t really notice you. Did they, Mason?”
    His brown eyes widened in shock , a rosy glow filling his cheeks. “I … I don’t know what you’re—”
    Ireland held up one finger to stop him. “Oh, I’m not done. I’m guessing you were probably picked on, too. Bullied, and downright made to feel like a nothing. Am I right?”
    “What’s the matter with you, lady?” He slumped back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. Mr. Swagger seemed to have run out of leers.
    “Then,” Ireland knew she was toeing the line of effective guidance counselor, but couldn’t seem to stop her rolling rant, “puberty hit and you went and got yourself a makeover. Worked out, started tanning, discovered some random sport you actually have a knack for. Heck, maybe you even had one of those fun music montages like in the movies. End result? A whole new Mason. You could’ve had your meathead happily ever after ... but no. You’re so afraid of fading into the background again that you have to go out of your way to stay in the spotlight and make sure no one ever forgets you again. I’d ask if I’m right, but those white lines around your clenched lips tell me all I need to know.”
    “You bitch,” Mason growled through his teeth.
    “I have been called much, much worse. So, here’s what we’re going to do. You and I will meet here a couple times a week. We’re going to start planning for your life after high school, make goals for when you’re no longer surrounded by kids that know about the time you got a stiffy in P.E.—”
    “ How do you know about that ?” Mason raged, his face blooming a deep tomato red.
    Ireland held up both hands in surrender as she bit down hard on the inside of her cheek. “I didn’t, I swear. It’s just a random thing I threw out there because it happens to a lot of guys your age.”
    Mason exhaled, fading back to dull pink.
    “We just need to work together, to get you looking at the bigger picture of your future and passed the BS of high school. Along the way if we can get you to graduation, and maybe have a few days thrown in there where you can get by without being a total d-bag, that’ll just be an added bonus!” Feeling pretty damned good about herself, Ireland offered him a warm smile as a proverbial olive branch. She had gotten her point across in a way, which she felt, spoke his language. Maybe she could be that cool school counselor that all the kids come to love.
    Mason let his chin fall to his chest, and rubbed one hand over the back of his neck. “Wow, you just have it all figured out, don’t you?”
    Ireland noticed a hint of amusement in his tone. For reasons she couldn’t yet explain , it reminded her of a ticking time bomb.
    “ See, you’re new here and really don’t get how things work just yet. So, let me enlighten you.” The smug golden boy leaned in, glaring daggers across the desk. “Why don’t you go out back and