23. Samantha
Chapter twenty-three
Samantha
As soon as Stan left, I raced for the guesthouse to change my soaked panties. He doesn't come back for a while, and I’m grateful to get some breathing space from him.
In the office, while I clean his desk, I can’t help but blush at the memory of me staining it.
Stan did it again.
He let me have my way before brutishly making me eat my words.
The office has my mind in the gutters, with thoughts of Stan’s fingers touching my pussy. Even as I close my eyes, I still feel him, and my swollen clit has refused to soften.
So, I make the best decision and go out to the lake for some fresh air before any more problems develop.
At the dock, I stare over the water with the sun reflecting on the surface. I can’t help but remember when Lucas and Selena interrupted us. And now Lucas did it again.
That idiot and his poor timing.
The sound of my phone ringing is a welcome distraction, except the caller ID removes the smile to my face. It's Ruth.
I’m trying to be friends with her while inviting her dad into my pants while he invites me into his.
I swallow hard and answer, “Hey, bestie.” My voice croaks a little .
“Hey,” she replies glumly. I’m used to her sullen replies, but this time, there’s something else under the surface.
“Is everything okay?”
She’s quiet, seemingly trying to find a perfect reply, but then she sighs. “I got in trouble. School and all. The principal says he’ll call Stan. I don’t want to cause him problems. Can you come?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank God.” I hear her sigh of relief.
“Ruth?”
“Yeah?”
“Stan will never see you as a problem. No matter how stubborn or nonchalant he seems, you’ll never be a problem,” I assure her.
“Really?” I hear the hope in her voice.
“I swear it.”
***
I arrive at the school and race through the hallways. I never attended this school, but during summer holidays, our friends Lizzy and Larry would sneak the rest of us into the place. It feels nostalgic, but now isn’t the time.
Around the corner, I stop at a sight and retreat, peeking to take a look.
Ruth is sitting on the bench, and Stan towers over her. I can’t help but notice his jacket on one arm. His white dress shirt is folded to the sleeves, revealing his arms, which look bigger than I remember.
He definitely lifted something heavy with Lucas before arriving here.
Ruth looks up at him to apologize, but he shakes his head, wiping her tears with his thumb and pulling her in for a hug. The smile on his face is precious, and my ovaries are doing flips right now.
“Whoever is watching over there, show yourself. I’m not in the mood for fans,” he says without looking my way.
My heart almost leaps out of my chest. Stan is in protective mode.
I show myself with two hands in the air. “I come in peace.”
His expression softens, and he lets go of Ruth .
“I called her,” Ruth admits.
“It’s fine. I want her here, too,” he says.
He wants me?
I get a grip and shake the thoughts, making my way to the angel with streaks of dried tears on her face.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I lower myself to her level.
“A lot better now that you and Da—Stan are here,” she says softly.
Oh, Ruth. I’m sure if you called him Dad, he’d do a backflip.
“I’m glad,” I smile softly, then it disappears. “Who am I to stop your father from killing people?”
“Huh?” She’s confused, and we both glance at Stan. His jaw is locked. The arm where he’s slung his jacket displays a clenched fist, itching to punch someone.
“Don’t punch anyone, Stan,” Ruth pleads.
“Unfortunately, I’ll decide to listen to that after I hear what they have to say,” is his cold reply.
I love this ferocious side of him. Very rarely do you see Stan craving blood. And boy, oh, boy, do I wish people would piss him off enough without involving Ruth so I get to see him angry.
A middle-aged woman exits the office opposite where the three of us are huddled together. “Principal Winston will see you now,” she announces.
“Good,” Stan says and hands the jacket to Ruth. “Stay here with Samantha.”
“No, Sam, go with him,” Ruth urges me. “Make sure he doesn’t hit the principal.”
“He wouldn’t,” I try to assure her, looking at Stan for confirmation. He just grits his teeth like his plan has been foiled.
I don’t argue any further, nor does Stan try to discourage me from following him. I assure Ruth again that we’ll be fine before I follow Stan to the principal’s office.
Even before the principal motions for us to take our seats, Stan pulls out one of the chairs for me to sit. I gingerly take my seat, trying not to grin at the chivalry.
“Sorry I had to call you here on short notice, Mr. and Mrs. Holt,” Winston begins .
I glance over at Stan. He looks unfazed by being addressed as my husband.
“Why was I called, and why is my daughter crying?” Stan cuts to the chase.
“Right.” Winston clears his throat. “She insulted a teacher.”
“Did the teacher do something to warrant an insult?” I ask. “Our daughter isn’t the kind of person to call an adult names for no reason.”
“I…” Winston shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “I was told that during a teacher’s class, she called him ‘a misogynistic prick with an IQ of a wombat.’ Then threw a book at him.”
I try not to crack a smile and turn to Stan. He’s wearing a proud smirk.
“Well, was she right?” Stan asks.
“Pardon?” Winston blinks in confusion.
“What Stan is trying to ask is, what exactly did he say that made her call him that?” I explain.
“Well. He was talking about acting, as it was a literature class. And from what Ruth reported, he said female actresses don’t need talent; all they need is to look good. Or rely on scandals to grow their fame.”
“So she was right, then?” Stan crosses his arms.
“Yes,” Winston gives in. “I agree what he said was uncalled for. But we can’t let Ruth off without a punishment of some sort. Her behavior was inappropriate, and if we let her off the hook, it would repeat itself amongst other students.” The older man takes off his tiny framed spectacles and rubs his eyes. “If she didn’t throw a book at him, it would have just been a strict warning.”
I understood what he was saying, but it was still unfair.
“Her punishment?” Stan asks.
“Suspension,” he says hesitantly. The man is older, but he seems terrified of Stan. “I’m sorry, Mr. Holt. I’d say we switch her class, but we’re short-staffed. I’d have the teacher suspended, but there’s no way we can have him gone when exams are in a month.”
Stan gets to his feet. “Forward the school curriculum to my email. I’ll teach my daughter at home. And she’ll ace your stupid exams. And after the exams are over, do something about the misogynistic prick with an IQ of a wombat.”
Winston sighs. The man is too old and underpaid for this. “I understand.”
“Good,” Stan nods. “Sam?”
“Yes, dear.” I get to my feet and turn to the older man. “Thank you for doing your job, sir.”
“It’s no problem. You and your husband have a good day,” he says.
As I turn to leave, Stan takes my hand, and we step outside. “You think Ruth will be okay doing the rest on her own?” I ask him.
Stan scoffs. “She’s not on her own. And she’s really fucking smart. I know she’ll be just fine, but if I could buy a public school just to fire that wombat, I would.”