Hot For Teacher(98)

“Are you planning on getting up today?” she teases.

“If you’ll let me get away with saying no, then I’ll go with that.”

She laughs and rips the covers off me. I reluctantly sit up and lean my head on her shoulder. I’m so tired.

“How’s everything going, darling? School going okay?”

“Yeah same as every other school I’ve been to,” I say, a snide edge to my voice. Then I feel bad. It’s hardly Mom’s fault we have to move every two seconds. It’s nobody’s fault. “I’m making friends and I’m learning, so that’s the main thing,” I fib.

If you count Eli and the history teacher I’ve secretly christened as my grandfather as friends.

She doesn’t need to know about Jamie. The little prick will get what’s coming to him one day, and I certainly don’t need my parents pulling him into line.

Because that would help the situation about as much as swimming in a pool full of acid would.

“How about we have a mom-and-daughter day?” She bumps my shoulder and I smile. We used to have days together all the time. “Go downtown and have a look at some shops, get Chinese for lunch and then a mani or pedi?”

“That’s a great idea,” I smile. I feel bad that the main reason I’m going with the idea is to keep my mind off my date tonight. I don’t see my mom often these days and I do miss her.

Mom and I have a lovely afternoon together. I tell her about Mr. A and the history assignment I’m working on. I don’t mention Eli. We talk a lot about her job and Dad. She loves being a nurse. I have to admire people who work long hours dedicating their time to caring for others. To do all of that, look after me, and cope with Dad being away so often, she really is my hero.

I lean back in my chair as my feet are being massaged, and I sigh. I think I needed this: the time with Mom and the time to relax. School this year is much harder than I was expecting, and I need to do well to get into the college course I want to do, especially on a scholarship.

For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to be a historian. But the course is competitive, and then even doing well doesn’t guarantee you a job when you’re done.

“Ohhhhhh this is soooooooo good,” Mom groans beside me as the masseuse works on her toes.

I stifle a small laugh. Seems my mother is long overdue for a massage. I wonder when Dad is due back? Ewww. I curse my mind for going there. I don’t even want to think about that!

Maybe I’m trying to sabotage myself from throwing myself at Eli tonight? Because that’s a real possibility.

We arrive home shortly before five. I run up the stairs to start getting ready, even though at this stage all I want to do is crawl into bed. I exfoliate my skin, curl my long, dark hair, put on a light layer of makeup, and finish with a spray of my favorite perfume.

I check my reflection in the mirror. I’m no model, but with the dress and the heels on, I look older and hot. Very hot. I almost don’t look like me, which is exactly what I was hoping for. He doesn’t want to meet plain, high school Jill. He’s expecting sexy, older, experienced Jill, and that is who I’m going to give him.

I want to keep my age a secret for as long as possible. I love talking to Eli, and if this goes nowhere I’d still like to keep him as a friend.

Because, you know, I have so many.

I walk into the kitchen to say goodbye to Mom.

“Can I borrow your car?” I ask sweetly, wrapping my arms around her neck. Her eyebrows shoot up as she takes in my appearance.

“Where are you going all dressed up like that?” she asks suspiciously.

“I’m meeting a few friends from school.” Ha! “We’re going out for dinner in town, then maybe a movie or something. I won’t be home too late.”

“Have fun, then. If you need me, call me.” The look she gives me tells me she doesn’t believe me, but she doesn’t fight it.

“And you’ll what, walk down to get me?” I snigger, trying to lighten the mood. I hate lying to my mom, but worrying about me is the last thing she needs.

“I’ll ride your dad’s bike if I need to.”

I snort. Calling her later would almost be worth it to see her trying to wrangle Dad’s Harley.

“Home by twelve, my dear.”

***

I take the twenty-minute drive to the restaurant, purposely going the long way through all the traffic to buy myself some time. My hands are sweating and I keep checking myself in the mirror. I’m nervous as fuck—so nervous that I feel like I’m going to be sick.

Parking right outside the venue, I walk in and notice Eli immediately.

Unlike me, he actually has many pictures on his profile. He’s got his side turned to me but I can already see how gorgeously sexy he is. If it’s even possible, his photos do not do him justice. God, this guy is way out of my league. I feel like a little girl playing dress-up.