AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know, and part of that is learning to share.”
He narrows his eyes, and after a second or two, turns back around, grabbing the leaves and dropping them in front of Skye again. Fortunately, he didn’t throw them in her face, or I’d have had to think up another punishment. As it is, I decide against pulling him out of the art class, and let things lie, my heart beating fast in my chest.
This was supposed to be a fun exercise for a Thursday afternoon, not a battleground, but as it is, I’m grateful when I look at the clock and see we’ve only got fifteen minutes until the end of the school day, and I can get the children to clear away.
Needless to say, Alexander does as little as possible, and I have to tell him off twice for throwing twigs around the room when everyone else is tidying up.
Eventually, though, the classroom is back to normal, the children are lined up, and the bell rings, signaling the end of the day… thank goodness. Margot leads them out to the schoolyard, perhaps sensing I’ve had enough for today, and I bring up the rear, checking we haven’t left anyone behind.
There’s no sign of Tanner this afternoon, but I wasn’t expecting to see him.
That doesn’t mean I haven’t spent the better part of my day thinking about him, though, or remembering all the things we did together last night.
He was so kind, and patient, and gentle, and I can’t help smiling when I think about the fact that he so clearly wanted to make love with me. It was obvious… and that reminds me of our conversation about not making love with someone unless you’re in love with them. He agreed he couldn’t do that… so does that mean he’s in love with me? I hope so, because I’m growing more and more in love with him every minute of the day.
That’s why I stopped him last night… and yes, I know that sounds strange. I’m in love with Tanner, so why wouldn’t I want him to make love with me? It’s an obvious question and the honest answer is, no matter how much I want him, it all felt like it was moving a little too fast. At least, it did in my head. My body was screaming for more, all the while my brain was urging caution… telling me it wouldn’t hurt to wait just a little longer. After all, I’ve only known Tanner for a couple of days, and we don’t have to rush into anything. Do we?
I figured we didn’t, and although my body was cursing my head for being so prudent, the outcome was still pretty damn perfect. Tanner didn’t judge me for my inexperience, and – best of all – we had fun together. We laughed, and fooled around, and enjoyed our picnic in his living room. And, better still, he said I could go to his place whenever I want… which is why he’s got no reason to be here.
As the children disperse to their parents, I can’t help watching out for Nash, though. I’m still desperate to see what his mom looks like, although at the moment, Nash is standing to one side of the schoolyard, talking to a little girl. She has dark curly hair, tied up in a ponytail, and is gazing at Nash like he’s the centre of her universe, which is very sweet.
“Nash!”
He turns his head at the same time as I do, both of us startled by the loud male voice bellowing from the school gate. This isn’t Tanner. It’s another man. The same one who collected Nash yesterday, and I guess that must make him Sabrina’s boyfriend. My skin prickles as he taps his foot, checking his watch impatiently. There’s something about this man I don’t like, and as Nash says goodbye to his friend, the man calls his name again, his voice loaded with even greater impatience.
Nash turns toward him, starting on his way, but the man heads back to his car, not bothering to wait, and I watch while he climbs in behind the wheel, leaving Nash to negotiate the busy street by himself.
There’s a lot of traffic outside the gate today, and my heart leaps into my mouth as Nash approaches. I can’t let him try to cross by himself. It would be negligent… not just as Tanner’s girlfriend, but as a teacher at this school.
“Watch the kids,” I say to Margot, who nods her head, as I run for the gate “Nash?”
He spins around, tilting his head. “Have I done something wrong, Miss?”
“No. I was just gonna help you across the street.”
“Oh. Okay.” He offers his hand and I take it, checking the traffic, and waiting for a couple of cars to pass before I guide him to the other side. The man has climbed out of his bright yellow car and is leaning on the door, giving me a broad smile.
“I don’t think we’ve been introduced,” he says.
“I’m Miss Howell.”
“I’m Dean.”
I’m not about to give him my first name, and after a second’s pause, he nods his head, looking down at Nash, who’s still holding my hand. “He’s quite capable of crossing the street by himself, you know?”
“If you say so.”
I let go of Nash’s hand, and he smiles up at me.
“Thanks, Miss.”
“You’re welcome.”
I wait while he climbs into the car, ignoring Dean, and then walk back across the street and in through the school gates, the sound of the car’s throaty engine making me jump. I hope he doesn’t drive too fast with Nash in the car, but I guess there’s not much I can do about that, and I return to Margot, who’s talking to Miss Bryant. She teaches second grade, I think, and as all the children in our class have gone home now, I give them a nod of my head, and make my way into the school.
It feels peaceful in here, now it’s empty, and I make the most of it, taking a few deep breaths as I clear up the classroom.
“How did the art project go?”
