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Surprised, I turn around, seeing Caleb come through the garage door of our house. “I thought you were working tonight.”
“Super slow.” He leans into the fridge and grabs out one of the already-made salads I bought at the store. “Like literally in the two hours I was there, I waited a total of two tables. We called Ernie and he told us to go ahead and close for the night. Too cold.” He shrugs off his hoodie, before opening a bottle of salad dressing, pouring some on, and then closes the lid on the salad. I watch as he shakes it around, something he’s done since he started eating them, a smile ghosting across my face, before he sets it down, pops the container, and starts to chow down. Probably what I’m going to miss the most are the little quirks that are his, the ones that are familiar. Like the way he leaves his shoes at the front door, just slightly in the way so I trip over them at least twice a day. The way he will use the last of the shampoo and not tell me, but let me find out by grabbing the bottle and it being empty.
Empty-nest syndrome will hit me like a ton of bricks. That’s one thing I can say for certain. I already know it, can already feel it.
“Hungry? I haven’t eaten yet, I could cook.”
He picks up the cell phone, flipping it over to check the time. “Nah, fix whatever you want. This’ll be good for me. I don’t need to eat again until tomorrow morning; this’ll be my last meal. I didn’t train today.”
If there’s one thing this kid is serious about, it’s his training, and I thought he went right after school. “Did they cancel it?”
Caleb keeps his gaze on the food in front of him as he shakes his head. “Nah, I took Jess home, she didn’t have a ride and missed the bus.”
Two major things have happened to my son since Christmas. I bought him a truck, it isn’t much but it gets him from point a to point b without me having worry about how he’s getting there, and Jess. Jess kinda took me by surprise, but she’s a senior heading to Ole Miss on a cheerleading scholarship the same time he leaves. The way his cheeks tinge pink, I wonder if taking her home is all he did.
“Took her home, huh? Shoulda left you at least an hour to get some training in.” I mentally calculate the time in my head.
I can’t help giving him shit. Hell, if he followed in my footsteps, I’d already be a grandfather. Every day I thank God he has more sense than I ever did.
“We just hung out.” He shrugs, working really hard to swallow the bite of food he’s taken.
Giving him a look, I can’t help the grin that tugs on my lips. “Yeah, I’m sure youjust hung out. You’re so full of shit.”
He sighs, refusing to meet my eyes. “Dad, she’s hot and she likes me. It’s nothing serious, we’re both leaving in a few months.”
“Just be smart about it.” I open the fridge and grab out the other salad, doing the same thing Caleb did to get mine ready to eat.
“No kids until I got a ring on this finger.” He holds up his ring finger, wagging it at me.
“Definitely, kiddo, make sure the girl makes an honest man out of you first.”
Together we look at each other, smiles playing on both of our faces as we start laughing loudly. Damn, I’m gonna miss these moments when he moves away.
CHAPTER 4
KARINA
One more class to go.That’s what I keep telling myself as this day drags on, longer and longer. I’ve been hit on by two men and one woman already, thanks to the parents coming in to tell us about their jobs. It’s all for the good of the kids. My mantra since this day started. They need the real-world experience that I hadn’t had. I want this for them, so I’ll make the best of whatever else we have coming our way today.
I just made an escape to the restroom, to wash my hands after one overzealous father shook it so hard, he left his sweat on me. Not one of the finer moments of my life. That’s for damn sure. Typically, I’m speaking to students as I walk through the halls, but today, I just want to get this over with, go home, and indulge in an entire bottle of wine.
“Hey, Ms. Holland, my dad’s here, is it okay if I go get him?” Caleb asks as I pass him in the hallway heading for our room.
Checking my watch, I see the bell is about to ring, but give him the permission he’s seeking. “Sure, just make it quick. We’re anxious to see what he’s got for us.”
Caleb gives me a salute and heads toward the office. I steel my reserves and head for my classroom. One more class to go.
* * *
I feelit the second he steps over the threshold. The hair on the back of my neck stands and I feel goosebumps along my forearms. The awareness in my body, the spark that ignited between us is still there. Even after me trying to ignore it since we found it. Chances are I’ll always feel this spark, I will forever know when he’s entered a room I’m in. I sit up straight from the slouch I had been in, as every part of my femininity stands at attention.
“Ms. Holland, this is my dad.” Caleb brings him over to my desk, and I know before I look up who this is. I just know. And then our eyes meet, and I’m taken back to that night. His dark eyes clash with mine, and it’s like he’s stripped me naked in front of my classroom.
“Mason.” He sticks out his hand for me to shake it, which is the very last thing I want to do. I want him to devour me, show me everything he showed me in the backseat of his Jeep. Screw this class I’m supposed to pay attention to. All I want to do is pay attention to the two of us.
I clear my throat, because I’m finding it a little hard to concentrate. “Karina,” I answer back as I finally do shake the hand outstretched to me.
For longer than I care to admit, we stare at one another. “Class, please welcome Caleb’s dad and listen as he speaks about what he does all day.”
