Hot For Teacher(87)

“We’re just doing paperwork, you jealous douche,” Zeke huffed.

“Sure, and I’m the queen of England. It’s okay, your secret is safe with me, brother.”

She shut the door and I couldn’t contain my laughter. She dissed me? For Zeke? Give me a fucking break.

***

Zeke

“Great, just great. Now he thinks we’re having sex.”

“Well, we’re not.”

“That doesn’t matter, though. To him, we’re banging and now my life will continue to be a living hell.”

“You’ll be fine, Zeke. And besides, who cares what he thinks? We know the truth and that’s all that matters.”

I couldn’t argue with her about that. Part of me wished what Zach thought was true, but it wasn’t. I enjoyed helping her everyday but my heart wanted more.

After two hours of brainstorming and paperwork, we were finally finished. Max looked like something was bothering her, so I came right out and asked her. “Is everything all right, Max?”

“No, but you don’t need to hear about my stupid problems.”

“It’s okay, that’s what I’m here for. To help alleviate your stress, any and all of it.”

“Well, last night, my boyfriend Tommy broke up with me.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. May I ask what happened?”

“I found him cheating on me. With my sister of all people.”

“Are you freakin’ serious? I’ll kill him! I mean, what a jerk!” She looked at me with her dark brown eyes, tears began to form in them and I instinctively grabbed her and pulled her into my chest. I don’t know what came over me, but I felt the need to protect and nurture her. She was too beautiful, too special to sit here and cry over some jerk that never deserved her in the first place.

She cried so hard she soaked my shirt, but I didn’t care. I kissed the top of her head and let her know that everything would be okay.

Suddenly, she broke free from my grasp. “I can’t do this Zeke, you’re my student. I shouldn’t be crying in your arms. I could get fired for this!”

“You could get fired for crying on me? That’s one I’ve never heard before.”

“No, it’s—complicated. I appreciate you letting me vent, but this can never happen again, okay?”

“Yes.” I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on in her mind. This was just an innocent act of comfort and nothing more.

She offered to give me a lift home, but I declined. It was a cool fall evening and I needed some fresh air.





Chapter 13


Day 8

Zach

Son of a bitch. He was winning. Never did I think he’d actually beat me at something. Especially not a prize like Max.

Amber sensed something was up with me last night. I couldn’t focus for shit. I didn’t expect to be like that.

I was in the kitchen eating a protein bar and drinking a shake when Zeke entered the room. He looked depressed—like he lost his pet or something.

“What’s wrong, bro? Couldn’t satisfy her? That’s okay, it was only your first time,” I joked, but he didn’t respond. It was like he was stuck on zombie mode or something. “Zeke, you okay?”

He glared at me as he slammed his bowl on the table, but still—no answer. I decided to quit busting his chops, since it was obvious something bad must have happened last night. Something so bad I wasn’t able to get under his skin.

***

Zeke

I woke up late today hoping he would already be gone. But low and behold, he was sitting at the kitchen table when I walked in.

I was so hurt by Max’s actions last night that I practically drowned him out. I felt like I caused her more pain and that wasn’t my intention.

The sheer look of horror in her eyes as she broke free from my grasp gave me chills. It also let me know that I should steer clear from her for a while.

After Zach left, my mom came into the kitchen and asked if I was all right, too. Damn, how bad did I look this morning?

***

After a quick shower, I tossed on my sweats and a black shirt and made my way to school.

I ran into Rachel on the way. The last person I wanted to see this morning. “Rough, night?” she asked.

“That obvious?”

“Yep. What’s wrong, bestie? You can tell me.” If I told her the truth she’d be crushed—so I lied.

“Zach took things a little too far. You know him, the practical joker.”

“Well, that’s terrible. I should really give him a piece of my mind when I see him later.”

“No! Don’t. I have it all handled.”

“Okay, okay. Jeez don’t bite my head off!”

She remained quiet the rest of the trip to school, which was a godsend, and—rare.