Hot For Teacher(176)

“I love you too, baby.”

I stand feeling like I need to give them some time alone but Emma moves her head my way, the look on her face and her eyes widening make me stop. “Don’t leave me,” her voice shaky.

“I’m not, sweetheart. I thought maybe you’d like some private time with your mom. I’ll just be right outside that door, okay?” She swallows hard but seems to relax. “I’ll never go far.” I bend over her kissing her cheek and squeeze her hand again then I walk out of the room. I lean against the wall right outside and cross my arms over my chest. I’ll never ever go far again.

I stand there for a while but after the night we’ve had, I’m about ready to collapse. I sit down in a chair that is a few feet away and bend over with my knees on my legs, my face in my hands. I start crying. I could have lost her.

When I’m not sure I have any tears left, I feel a hand on my shoulder. “Josh. I’m gonna head to her apartment and get it cleaned up and ready for her to come home. I’ll be back later.” Her mom smiles and I wipe away the wetness from my face and stand. “I know I don’t know you but from what I just witnessed I can tell you’re a good man and you love my daughter. Thank you for that.”

A smile lifts from my mouth. “That obvious, huh, Mrs. Danielson?”

She smiles back so lovingly. “Lila, please. Maybe not to everyone but to a mother who loves her daughter, yes.” She pats my cheek and then walks down the hall.

I open the door finding Emma laying there, her back propped up more so she’s sitting up and looking out the window. Her head snaps to me, and a smile graces her sweet face. I walk straight over to the other side of the bed pulling the covers down and climb in beside her. There isn’t much room but enough. I help her lift up a little, so I can put my arm around her. She instantly lays her head down on my chest and sighs. We lay there quietly, no need for words. Finally, she falls asleep and I follow shortly after.

We spend the majority of the next day in her bed, watching some TV and by evening the feeling of dread hits me when I think about returning to school tomorrow. Duke texted me to tell me we’re playing at Randy’s again next weekend. It will be weird because Emma won’t be there. She needs time to heal, and I aim to make sure she doesn’t overdo anything.

Now it’s late and we’re playing with each other’s fingers as we lay in her hospital bed. “Do you believe in love at first sight?” she asks as she looks up at me. I smile looking up and thinking about her question.

I look down at her, my brows crease in my seriousness. “I don’t think of it as love at first sight. I think it’s more love at first feelings. There’s always that newness, and if you’re lucky, that spark. It’s when you get to know someone, your feelings soar when you see them, think of them and then when you finally make love, connect, and then it can be love at first touch. I dunno. Sounds corny.” I chuckle, but she doesn’t.

“That’s perfect and just how I feel too. I love you, Josh.”

I lean down and kiss her full lips and say against them, “I love you too, Emma.”

The next morning Emma is discharged. I’m late to school because I helped her get home and settled. Her mom was there, and her apartment was spic and span clean. Emma didn’t even recognize it. I hated to leave and go to school, but I am dedicated. I stopped by her Calculus room and explained her situation to her teacher. He said he will send all her homework to her via email from now on and she can do it at home. I will be helping her with that.

By Friday, I’m exhausted running back and forth from school and to Emma’s. Now I’m at the bar getting ready for our band to play. The bitchy girls are here, which is normal, but I’m in a zone as we start to play. By the time we finish our night, the bouncer’s had to break up three fights between women biding for my attention. They had to carry the one woman off the stage that always manages to get up there. But, as usual, I only have one woman on my mind and can’t wait to get to her place and hold her in my arms.





Chapter Seven


It’s been a week since I was released from the hospital and two days since Mom left to go home. She needed to get back to her jobs. I hate that she spent so much time away and hope she doesn’t get in trouble or fired. She told me her managers were both very sweet about her being off for her daughter. I can tell Josh is exhausted from the light bags under his eyes. He’s been so amazing running back and forth and then playing the weekend at Randy’s. I feel bad for him but long to have him in my arms again. Calculus would be kicking my ass if not for him. I was so thankful he spoke with Mr. Thomas about getting my homework to me by email so I wouldn’t fall any farther behind, and he’s been so awesome helping me. He actually fell asleep last night, his head lying on his arms on my desk. I couldn’t finish anything because I was too busy looking at his gorgeousness.