Chapter 30
My phone was off, charging on his nightstand. He’d agreed to set an alarm on his cell so I didn’t have to hear any notifications from Sydney. Or anyone else. Actually, it had been his idea, and as I lay in his lap, with my eyes closed, listening to the movie that was playing, I felt so at peace.
Nova was snoring in Drake’s lap, Ava and Jaxon were making out while Kieron grumbled over his options on some dating app. Asher’s fingers slid back and forth through my hair, gently sending chills down my spine.
“How’d you manage to snag a girl like her? And where can I find one?” Kieron grumbled.
Asher chuckled. “Shit, I have no idea. I’m surprised she even looked my way, if I’m being honest,” he replied. It seemed clear that they thought I was asleep.
“I knew, in case you were wondering. Before you said anything, I totally figured it out,” Kieron said triumphantly.
“I wasn’t really trying that hard to hide it. She, on the other hand, kept turning me down.”
“That makes me so happy to hear.”
Asher moved quickly, punching him, and I heard Kieron grunt.
“Fucking hell,” Kieron grumbled, and Asher took a deep breath. “Why’d you stick it out? If she kept running away, what made you so determined to not give up?”
“She made me feel alive and normal,” Asher quietly said, his fingers pausing. “She’s sassy, keeps me on my toes. But in the end, I feel at peace with her. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt so…content.”
“She gives you peace. That’s seriously why? Even after the headache she put you through? The chase?”
“Even after. Hell, even during it. Like I said, when I was with her, things were simple. Easy. Calm.” Asher slid forward a little, creating more room in his lap as I remained curled up tightly.
Kieron chuckled. “Calm. That’s something I for damn sure haven’t felt in a long time.”
Silence filled the room, the conversation drifting away as exhaustion crept into my bones. Calm. Peace. Free. Those words were exactly the ones I’d use to describe how I felt with Asher too.
A small smile crept across my lips as I drifted to sleep.
The alarm went off too early. A vague memory of being carried into the bed crossed my mind, and I groaned, rolling into Asher’s chest. He pressed snooze on his phone, pulling me closer against his body.
“I’ll take you to school today because I don’t dare drive to your car, just in case. Leave me your keys, and I’ll have security bring your vehicle at some point before you’re done teaching,” he rasped, his voice a little huskier than usual.
“Shhhh.” I snuggled up harder against his chest. “I’m still sleeping.”
He chuckled and wrapped me tighter in his embrace. Just five more minutes. That’s all I wanted. A measly, amazing, comforting—
The screech of the alarm interrupted my daydream once more.
“Ugghh,” I groaned.
“Come on, Princess. We have paparazzi to ditch this morning.” Asher gently urged me awake.
Eventually, I managed to roll out of bed.
A quick shower and makeup applied, I pulled on one of his outfits he’d bought me.
Another cute teacher dress in a pale blue gingham pattern.
A little shorter than I normally preferred, but I didn’t mind.
He’d put effort into buying me outfits, and it was totally cute.
He’d even bought me a few new heels, and I pulled on a surprisingly comfortable pair of white ones. Asher handed me a fresh cup of coffee when I met him at the door, my purse slung over my shoulder.
Taking his bike helmet from his outstretched hand, I knew what was about to happen.
And we were cruising down the road. Wind whipped against my hands while I clung tightly to Asher.
My fingers squeezed his waist as hard as possible.
It was a good thing we left as early as we did.
Ditching the paparazzi took longer than yesterday.
They were getting smarter, and I thought he would have to find a different mode of transportation before too long.
The bike slowed, leaning to the side as we rounded a corner. I blinked my eyes open, scanning the teacher parking lot. My shoulders sagged with relief when I noticed the cars that were already here were empty, and no one else was pulling in.
Asher idled up beside the back entrance and lifted an arm. I braced against him, climbing down. Once my feet hit the pavement, I lifted my chin and he unbuckled my helmet, then gently tugged it off my head. I replaced my glasses as he set it in his lap.
“I’ll see you after work?” he asked.
I sighed. Which was all the answer he needed.
“Let me know how things go with Sydney. I’ll miss you…” His voice softened with those last three words, and I pushed my glasses farther up the bridge of my nose.
“You know what, I would rather come see you when I’m done teaching. So, I’ll just text Sydney or something,” I replied, and his eyes widened, brightening with excitement.
“Fuck yes.” He nodded and quickly pulled his helmet off his head. His lips were against mine before I had a chance to walk away. Then that velvety deliciousness was gone, and his face was hidden underneath the helmet once more.
“See you this afternoon, Princess,” he said, his voice muffled.
I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and smiled as he leaned forward and drove away.
Leaving me standing alone in the parking lot.
I could get used to this. Way too easily, I was already getting used to this.
Would it be so wrong to feel like this every day?
To have someone around who wanted nothing more from me than to be with me.
Unlike my so-called best friend. Glancing at my phone for the first time this morning, I scrolled through the unread text messages.
All of them were wondering why I hadn’t made her appointment yet.
Why I wasn’t answering because she needed advice.
Even a few were upset that her boudoir photos hadn’t come back yet.
Not a single one asked where I was or if I was okay.
Did she really care that little about me that if it didn’t benefit her, she was unconcerned for anything else?
Was it my fault that she felt that way? Maybe I’d accidentally taught her to react like that.
Or had she always been that way, and I’d merely been so desperate for friendship that I didn’t care how she treated me.
Could I even call this a friendship? I mean, she let me live at her house that her parents had given her. Only a friend would do that, right? Except I did all the laundry, cooking, and cleaning.
I plopped down in my spinny chair and froze.
Hold on, was I merely a live-in maid for her?
Was that why she was okay with me living there for free?
This wasn’t reality, was it? Maybe I was just reading into things because this is the first time I’d gone off script, done something different than I would’ve ever done before.
That had to be it. Yeah, that was the answer to all of this.
A thud bounced around my classroom, and my gaze shot up as I subtly checked that the ring around my neck was tucked into my dress. Selena slammed the door shut behind her and ran to the front, breathing rapidly.
“Miss Duval!” she cried out, her eyes wide and clutching her phone tightly.
“Good morning?”
“Have you seen? Please tell me you’ve seen it? It’s all over, and everyone in school is talking about it!” She danced between her feet, seemingly more excited than anything.
“Seen what?” I tipped my head sideways as she smoothed out her beach waves.
“This!” She shoved her phone into my hand, and I looked down at the screen.
It was my turn to be shocked, widening my eyes as my jaw hit the floor. Staring at the picture, my heart was on the ground, and it was as if someone stomped on it. If they got this picture, what else did they get?
My back was at least facing the camera, but Asher was holding my face, kissing me. Outside my car. From last night.
“Right? I can’t believe it either! More than just some random girl on his motorcycle! He’s kissing her!” She squealed in glee. “Oh, and there’s more!”
“M-more?!” I choked, nearly falling off my chair.
“More,” she replied with a devilish grin. “See?”
She leaned over and began scrolling. They were in an entire article on the internet!
Not just a social media page, and it wasn’t just pictures of my back.
No, there were some from my profile, though luckily you couldn’t make out any distinguishing facial features as Asher’s arm or hands or even his face kept me very hidden.
She stopped scrolling for a moment. “Okay, I have to make sure that I won’t get in trouble for the next few pictures because we are at school.” She blinked innocently.
“You won’t get in trouble,” I quickly replied, absolutely terrified for what was to come. Especially if she had to pause and add some caveat to seeing them.
“Okay, good. Because they are juicy.” She grinned and slid the article down.
Exactly where Asher’s hand was. Down his pants, as he was bending forward to crawl into my car after me. My own hand involuntarily covered my mouth as the next pictures were of a foggy car with his palm slammed against the window.
“We totally know what those two were doing.” Selena pulled her phone away, and I continued to stare at the blank space in front of me.
This wasn’t happening. If someone found out that was me, I most certainly would be fired. It didn’t matter that it happened off campus. If anyone found out I was an English teacher for high school kids, I was doomed.
“So, obviously the internet is going insane because, well, he’s totally got a girlfriend. Looks like only Kieron is single,” she added.
I whipped my head up. “Wait, does everyone know Drake and Jaxon are taken?”
“Of course. No one knows who they are, but they’ve been caught kissing someone before. Not doing what Asher and his girl are doing in the backseat of that car, though, but yeah.” She lifted a brow.
“How do you know that’s what’s happening? You’re a teenager,” I quickly scolded, trying to shift the conversation away from the fact that it was me. Definitely doing exactly what she was assuming I was doing in the back seat with him.
“Because I’m a teenager. Obviously.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Plus, he’s got his hand in his pants, following you into that car. What other reason would he have—”
“Following me?” I cut her off, and she slyly grinned.
“Yes, you.”
“Uh, I’m sorry, but I didn’t even know—”
“Miss Duval. Don’t play dumb with me. That dress that is in those pictures is the exact one you were wearing yesterday.”
“It’s a very common outfit, Selena.”
Her hand suddenly shot forward and wrapped around the chain around my neck, tugging the ring hanging on the end free from beneath my dress. “Exactly what I thought,” she stated. “Plus, you asked about Jaxon’s and Drake’s relationships by name.” The blood froze in my veins as I stared at her.
Chatter outside of the classroom filled the vacant walls around me. Nothing more than steady breathing bounced between us as the light from the windows flashed off Asher’s ring. The warm metal links of the necklace around my neck bit into my skin. She knew.
My fingers slowly found the chain and gently slipped it from her grasp. “Selena, I am begging you. Please don’t tell anyone.” Carefully, I tucked the ring back down my shirt and then looked back up at her face.
A grin spread on her lips. Blood rose to her cheeks as she trembled and then shrieked.
“Oh my gosh! I can’t believe I was right!
I can’t believe I am face-to-face with Asher’s girlfriend!
I can’t believe it’s my teacher of all people!
And one who definitely doesn’t fit his vibe, but maybe that makes it all the better!
Miss Duval is in love with a rock star! Who sings metal!
Who screams! Who is absolutely drool worthy and—” She paused, staring at me. “Can I say a bad word?”
I chuckled. “Just one and just this once.”
“Gah! Okay, my English teacher has the best fucking boyfriend ever!” She jumped up and down, spinning around the classroom. I let her dance around for a couple more minutes before reining her back in.
“Selena, I need you to make me a promise. Please,” I said calmly, and she felt the seriousness of my tone. Sliding back my way, she sat down on the edge of my desk again and looked directly at me.
“Okay.”
“You can not tell a soul. Not even Caralee or Madison. Or anyone else. Not a single soul.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Why not?”
“Because I like my privacy. Plus, if any of my bosses find out that was me, I’m pretty sure I would get fired. I mean, it is what it looks like, and I’m pretty sure that’s not the example as a teacher I should be setting.”
“But you like him. He likes you. That’s what happens.”
“Yes, and we are both adults. But that doesn’t matter. I’m still influential to teenagers in my position as a teacher.”
Plus, my friends…
“Oh. I get it.” Her voice softened. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
“Thank you. Now, you should probably go before class starts.” I nodded to my door as the warning bell rang for first hour to begin.
She smiled. “I’m jealous of you, just so you know.” Selena slipped off of my desk.
“Jealous?”
“Duh. I can only imagine what he’s like.”
“You’re a minor, and he’s almost thirty,” I stated, and she rolled her eyes.
“I know that. I’m just saying, you’re living like every girl’s dream right now.” She smiled and walked out of my classroom just as my first students rolled on in.