Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 59489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
“Camden, if you aren’t here to talk about class, then I don’t think it’s appropriate…”
“Are you sure about that?” I asked.
Her mouth moved, her jaw bouncing up and down a few times, but no words came out. Instead, she suddenly turned and walked around the desk, grabbing her phone from the top and wheeling around to face me again when she was on the other side.
“I have to go. I have an appointment. Other students have arranged to see me here today.”
“Do I need to make an appointment?” I asked, closing the space between us again.
The heat was undeniable. It felt like any second things could explode. We would crush into each other, and clothes would be ripped off in intense passion.
“Yes,” she said. “You should. For right now, I think you should leave.”
I stood there for a moment, letting the space between us burn with the anticipation of passion before slowly nodding. Then it was me who walked out of the door and out into the courtyard before I could grab her and kiss her right then. I got several yards into the courtyard before I heard the door close behind me, and when I turned, I saw her lock it and scurry away toward the faculty parking lot in the back.
Frustrated, I pulled out my phone and texted Ryan to ask the guys to get together. I needed a drink, and I wanted to do it at home. Somewhere I could talk and not be overheard by any more bachelorette parties.
By the time I got there, Ryan and Graham were already there, and Mark was pulling in behind me. Carmela got out with him but headed directly for the stables as I realized she had an evening class to give. She was such a good sister and a hell of a worker, putting in a tremendous amount of time in her job as a lawyer while still being a great mom and wife and volunteering to do lessons at the ranch, just to help me and be around the animals.
Soon, Victor pulled in, and the group of us went inside, where Ryan immediately went to the bar and pulled out the whiskey.
“All right,” Graham said, “what’s this about?”
“A girl,” Mark said. When everyone turned to him, he shrugged. “It’s always a girl, isn’t it? Every time we’ve had one of these pow-wows at last minute over whiskey, it’s been about a girl.”
“Fair,” Ryan said. “So, what’s up, Camden? Is it the girl from the bar?”
“The one that kissed him?” Graham asked. “Is that a thing?”
“Sort of,” I said. “But maybe not.”
“Yeah, we’re going to need more than that, buddy,” Mark said.
“All right, so, I ran into her again at Slater,” I said. “I was heading to class, and we passed each other in the hall.”
“Wait, she’s a student?” Ryan asked. “I thought she was older than that.”
I glared at him for a moment.
“Anyway,” I continued, “we didn’t get to talk right then, but I ran into her again later, and I got her number, and we agreed to go back up to the bar again and get to know each other over a couple drinks.”
“Ahh,” Graham said. “So, you came to us for advice on chatting this girl up, didn’t you, Daniel-san?”
“First off, you are not Mr. Miyagi,” Mark said, then turned to me, “and second, I don’t think he would call us all here to pick our brain for pickup lines when he already has the girl agreeing to go on a date.”
“You’re correct there. Here’s the nail in the coffin. I went into my class the next morning and there she is giving the lecture.” I explained.
“Oh, shit.” Everyone seemed to say collectively.
“Yeah. Oh, shit. Now she’s pretending I’m nothing more than her student and is pushing away all my advances.”
“I’m sure the college has some policy against romantic teacher-student relationships. She’s probably just afraid of putting her career at risk.” Ryan said.
I took a large gulp of whiskey. “I do understand that. But we’re both fully grown adults, and I really think there could be something between us.”
“Well there isn’t really much you can do here. Either drop out or you both take the risk of getting kicked out the college.” Graham said, laying it flat-out honest.
I was afraid of the feedback because I knew what it really came down to. Maybe I just had to let it ride out and let fate do the talking. Or I could take the helm and get creative.
6
KRISTEN
Itended to be a creature of habit when school was in session. I would have liked to say I was the kind of person who naturally sprang up out of bed early in the morning, ready and raring to go, and was able to just stand in front of my classes and teach without preparation.