Hot For Teacher(175)

“Josh,” I breathe.

“I’m right here, sweetheart. I’ve got you.” I feel his hand squeeze mine, and I relax a bit. “God, I was so scared when I got a call. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

My eyes finally open and I see the worry marring his gorgeous face. “What happened? Rain. My car got stuck. I can’t remember after that.”

He reaches his other hand up to my head, smoothing some hair from my face, gently. “You have a pretty bad concussion. It’s no wonder you can’t remember. You also have a broken leg and your arm is pretty banged up. I guess you were thrown into the door and your head hit the window. Your seatbelt saved your life, Emma. Thank God. I…. I don’t know what I’d do….” Tears begin to flow down his face. I remove my hand from his and reach over, cupping the side of his face. His eyes close making the tears expel from his eyes harder.

“Shhhh. It will all be okay now that you’re here.” His eyes open. They’re red from crying and probably lack of sleep. I wonder if he’s been here the whole time. “How did you know?”

“The hospital found your phone and called me. God, Em. It was the worst call of my life. They couldn’t tell me anything except you’d been in a car wreck. I didn’t know if you were alive or de…. I got here as fast as I could.” He takes my hand from his face and kisses it. Warmth envelopes me. “Please, don’t ever leave me again. I love you so much.” Tears form quickly in my eyes. How did I think I could ever live without him? Why would I even want to?

“Never again, Josh. Never again.” He kisses my hand some more and then leans over kissing my lips, gently.

“Don’t you know I don’t care what happens to me? A job. It’s just a job. I can get another. I can do anything as long as I have you,” he whispers. My heart is full, overpowering my headache, my injuries. How could I ever think to leave this man? This beautiful man. My eyes grow so heavy, and I start to blink slowly. “Go to sleep, my love. I’ll be here when you awaken. I will never leave you.” I think I nod, but I’m not sure. My eyes close. So heavy.



§ § § §



I sit here watching her sleep. Her face is bruised, her eyes so swollen. A bandage is around her head. Her left leg is casted up to her knee, and her other leg bandaged where glass was embedded in her skin. I could have lost her. When the hospital called, I had barely fallen asleep. I’ve had such a hard time ever since I’d talked to her when she ended things with me. My heart was broken in two, shattered. I had thought I’ll give her some space, some time, hoping she’d know in her heart that we belong together. I was supposed to go over to Duke’s that night, practice for our gig next weekend, but I just couldn’t do it. I started feeling depressed, my heart heavy, so I got out my guitar and spent the entire night writing a new song. For her.

The door opens and I turn my head. A woman walks in and I know in an instant it’s her mom. She looks just like her. “Oh, my God. Emma,” she whispers. I refuse to let go of Emma’s hand so I stand and introduce myself.

“Mrs. Danielson. I’m Josh Tyler. She’s okay, pretty banged up though. I’m sorry to have to meet you in these circumstances.” I reach out with my other hand and she smiles as she shakes it. I grab the other chair and bring it up close beside Emma’s bed. I sit back down on mine as her mom sits down on her chair.

She places her hand on Emma’s leg and I see the tears in her eyes. “I got here as fast as I could. Thank you for calling me, Josh. I’m glad Emma has such a great friend.”

I look at her and smile. “I’m not just her friend, Mrs. Danielson. I love her.” I couldn’t stop the words from leaving me. I want everyone to know. I look back at Emma and she sighs in her sleep. I squeeze her hand and see a faint smile on her lips. “She’s everything to me.”

I hear her mom sigh and look over. “I feel horrible. We haven’t talked much lately. I work two jobs and I feel like I don’t even have time for her with her living here. She needs to come home with me. I….” Her tears begin to fall more readily and I place a hand on her shoulder. “If something were to have happened I would have never forgiven myself.”

“Mom.”

Both our heads turn when we hear her voice. Her mom jumps out of her seat and runs around to the other side of her bed, leaning down and kissing Emma’s forehead. “Shhh, baby. I’m here now. Everything’s going to be okay. I’m here.”

Emma eyes open and she smiles. “I’m glad. I’ve missed you.” She yawns but continues to look at her mom. “Anything could happen no matter where I am, Mom. I’m staying here.” She turns her head slightly and smiles at me. “I need to be with Josh too.” I squeeze her hand as she turns back to her mom. “I love you, Mom.” Her mom bends down closing her eyes as she kisses her forehead again.