Always You(26)

I thought about Dan. Had he told Layna about our talk? Probably. In fact, I hoped he had. I probably didn’t express myself very well to them, and I should. I’d never been shy about telling my family I loved them, why did I find it so hard to show my aunt and uncle? Maybe I was afraid of losing them too?

That was a big part of it.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t let myself feel close to people, but more that I was afraid of telling them how I felt, because in the past, everyone I had loved had left me. It was like my mind contradicted my heart. Yes, you can love that person, but be careful how much emotion you show. Or maybe I have no idea why I am the way I am.

The latter was much more likely.

I lay in bed, thinking about how different everything was now, from then. I hated that my family had been taken away from me, but there was nothing I could do to change that. With Dalton, I could. I could sit back and accept that this was what he thought was best, or I could fight for what I wanted, for once.





Chapter Seventeen


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Dalton

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I was dreading walking into that classroom. I had no idea how I was going to get through the next forty minutes. Talk about awkward. This situation topped that list.

I finished my coffee in the teacher’s lounge and rinsed out my mug, well aware the bell was about to sound. I was procrastinating, avoiding the impending situation for as long as I possibly could.

Wrenn had been really angry yesterday. It had crossed my mind that she might turn me in, but I ruled out the thought as quickly as it had appeared. She wouldn’t do that, no matter how angry she felt.

Mark was next to me, talking about something. I nodded occasionally, pretending to listen, when in reality I had no idea what he was even saying. He didn’t seem to notice.

“Good, we will see you tonight at eight, then. You’ll like her, trust me.”

My head snapped up as I realized I might’ve agreed to something I didn’t want to. That last comment sounded an awful lot like I’d just agreed to a date.

“What?” I asked

“Julie. She’s cute and really hot. I’m sure you two will hit it off.” Mark waved at me as he walked off. I’d have to talk to him at lunch.

Fucking great.

***

The walk down the hall to my room felt like the longest of my life. I could see the students grouped outside the door, waiting for me. I reached the door and unlocked it. Girls whispered and giggled, but all I could focus on was her. Even without looking, I knew she was staring at me. I swallowed, my throat as rough as sandpaper.

The door swung open. I stood back, letting the students file in first. I met Wrenn’s gaze as she and Kass walked past me. Her eyes were narrowed. She was still angry. I hated seeing her angry, but that passion hit something deep inside me, making me feel much more than I was ready to admit. I shut the door and walked over to my desk.

“Okay. Quiz time. Books away, just a pen out, please.”

Groans filled the room, but I didn’t care. Today, I wanted the least interaction with this class I could have. I handed out the quiz sheets and then sat back down at my desk, opening my laptop.

I scrolled through page after page, uninterested in everything. Clicking on my personal email, I saw I had a new message. It was from her. My hands shook as I clicked on Open. God, I felt so sneaky. I may as well have been looking at porn.

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Dalton,

I understand why you ended things, but I want you to know I don’t give up that easily. You know I’ve been through a lot, and I think you think you’re sparing me more pain or whatever, but in reality all you’re doing is hurting me.

My feelings for you aren’t superficial. They’re not going to go away because you decide what we’re doing is wrong. Nor are your feelings for me.

Can we talk about this?

W xx

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I glanced up, breathing heavily. She was staring at me, like she knew I was reading her email. I looked away. I was so stupid to have encouraged her feelings. It would serve me right if this blew up in my face.

I moved my fingers across the mouse pad and pressed delete on the email. I closed my laptop and pulled out a handful of half-graded papers, deciding that a boring, repetitive task was exactly what I needed right now.

The rest of the hour went quickly, and quietly. I told the students they could leave when they handed in their sheet. Before long, the room was empty—except for myself, and Wrenn.

I knew what she was doing. She should have blitzed through this. She wanted to get me alone. She wanted to test my resolve.

I stood up and cleared my throat. “Time’s up.”

She grabbed her bag and walked up to the desk, sliding the sheet across, her eyes not leaving mine. “Can we talk?” she asked me, sitting on the edge of my desk, her skirt riding up her creamy white thighs.

I glanced at the door. Thank God it was shut. If she tried to kiss me right now, I probably wouldn’t resist. Hell, if she tried to f*ck me right here on the desk I didn’t think I could resist.

“Not here, Wrenn,” I said, keeping my distance. If I got too close, I didn’t trust myself. I wanted her that badly.