Illicit(12)

“Great, you licked an apple.”

“Bridget, I’m not in the mood. Lay off, okay?” I drop the fruit back on her tray and then hide my hands under the table. They’re trembling from the confusion coursing through my veins. Of course this is my life. Of course this would happen. I never thought I would see him again. And now he’s my teacher.

“What crawled up your ass?”

“Nothing, okay?” Blood pounds beneath my temple, and I wonder how I’ll make it through the rest of the week, let alone the rest of the semester, when Bridget’s voice cuts into my thoughts.

“Sure, whatever.” Her lips are thin with what I can only imagine is irritation, but she quickly rights herself with a shrug of her shoulder and then a condescending smile. “So, how’s your first day of school so far?”

I can’t help the groan that escapes my mouth, eliciting an eyebrow raise from Bridget.

“That great, eh?”

“I have no words to describe my day. Next subject, please.” I give a dismissive wave of my hand, hoping that ends the conversation before it starts. It seems to work as Bridget is now staring in the opposite direction. Her mouth drops open.

“Oh, my God. Who is that?”

I follow her gaze and my heart races as I locate the object of her dismay. Mr. Blake. Obviously it’s him. Of all the people to walk into the room and capture my friend’s attention, it has to be the one I never told her about. Shit. I need to pull my gaze away but my head won’t turn. I can’t stand how beautiful he is. It makes everything inside me hurt. She reaches across the table and squeezes my arm until I wince.

“Do you know who he is?” she asks again.

“Mr. Blake.” I try to keep my voice flat, but unfortunately my eyes roll of their own accord.

“Um, not a fan?” I pull my arm away from her and slide both hands under the table.

“No.” My right hand clenches.

“Lynn, he’s fucking gorgeous. How can you not want to worship at his feet?”

If only she knew I’ve worshiped more than his feet.

“He’s a dick, Bridge. I was late and he was a complete douche about it.”

Her eyebrow lifts. “That’s a lot of animosity for a simple tardy.”

“He made me stay after, too.”

Her mouth forms a perfect circle and her eyes bore into me. She gawks at me like I’m crazy, and I probably am. She reaches across the table and gives me a little squeeze. “I’m sorry that your day is sucking, babe, but I have some good news.” Her eyes light up. “Coop’s parents are in Europe this week. Big party at his place this Friday. You want to go?”

“No. Not really. Do I have to?” I grumble. I hate Coop. He is a total idiot. The idea of going sounds awful.

“Yes. Oh, come on. Don’t be like that. Let’s just go have fun.” She won’t ever drop this. Once Bridget sets her mind to something, she’ll keep harping until I give in. With a deep sigh, I do.

“Fine.”

“Woohoo!” She bops up and down in her chair. “Okay, we should go get a blowout and have our makeup done before. You in?”

“Yeah, sure.”




“Miss Adams! Wait up.”

I’ve managed to avoid Mr. Blake for the rest of the day, but as I make my way out the front door of the school, I hear my name being called from behind me and I know it’s him. I’m not sure I can bear speaking to him again, but I discern something in his voice that makes my movements cease. I turn and stare him down. His face, although beautiful, seems worn and tired as if he is hauling the worries of the world on his shoulders. If this were a different time, a different place, my only desire would be to rid him of his pain.

He peers around us and then motions me to keep walking. We’re about a block away from the school when his movements cease. I follow suit. With another look around to make sure no one is around, he looks down at his feet, his top teeth biting into his lower lip. “I’m sorry about this morning.”

His lack of eye contact pisses me off. “Whatever.” If he can’t find the decency to look at me when he apologizes, I don’t need to find it in me to give a shit.

“Lynn—”

“Oh, I thought I was Miss Adams now?”

He stands silently for a moment, distributing his weight from the ball of one foot to the other as he searches for the words he wants to say.

“You barely acknowledged me in class at all.” Shit. Did I really just say that out loud? Yes, I did, and he should know he can’t treat me like that.

“Listen, I’m sorry. I was taken aback by your presence. I wasn’t prepared to see you, but that doesn’t excuse my attitude.”