Bad Teacher (23 page)

My life is falling into place at last. And I know exactly what I wanna do.

Hailey

A few days later

“Are you sure about this? If you leave, there’s no going back,” Lesley says as she watches me pack.

“Yes,” I say. “I’ve already filled out the forms. There is no going back.”

“What about your mom? Is she okay with it?”

“Yeah … now that my mom’s boyfriend is finally behind bars, she’s free to bug me with questions instead.” I chuckle. “But she says she’s happy as long as I am.”

She smiles, but it’s followed by a sigh. “Well, I’m sure she’s proud of you, and so am I.” She hugs me awkwardly from behind, making me laugh.

“Thanks,” I say. “But it’s really just because I suck at studying.”

“True, but you could’ve fixed your grades easily,” she says. “There was still time.”

“I don’t want more time here,” I say. “I want more time out there in the real world. This place isn’t for me. I’m not cut out for this—I know that now.”

“It’s a bit of a waste of all those months you already did finish, though,” she says, fetching my clothes from the drawers for me and placing them on the bed next to my suitcase.

“All the more reason to quit now.”

“What are you gonna do next?” she asks.

“I don’t know …” I say, smiling. “Maybe I’ll get a job somewhere in an ice-cream shop.”

She grins. “They’d lose money over you because you’d be stuffing your face all the time.”

“Shhh!” I nudge her with my elbow. “Don’t ruin the plan.”

“You could always start up your own business, you know?” she muses. “You’d be able to eat all the ice cream you wanted.”

“Hmm …” I mull it over a bit. “That’s not even a bad idea.”

“What? Nah …”

“Yeah. Why not?” I shrug.

She laughs. “I didn’t really peg you as the type to go boss people around.”

“No, but I know just the guy for it …”

Her jaw drops. “
Him
?”

“You never know?” I wink.

“Oooh … so that’s why you’re quitting college.”

I frown and drop my panties in the suitcase. “No, of course not.”

“But he was fired too because he was seeing you,” she says. “He doesn’t blame you for that?”

“No, he blames himself more than anything, actually.”

“Strange.”

“He and I just … talked it over.”

“And?”

I think about it for a second. “I think we can finally move on. It’s good.”

“Hmm … well, as long as you’re happy. That’s all that matters.”

“I am.” I look her way. “I mean it, I really am. And it’s been a long time since I was last able to say that.”

“Yeah … when was it? Oh yeah, last time I saw you with that dildo.” She snorts, and I give her another shove with my elbow. “Speaking of … you almost forgot it.” She holds it out to me.

“Where’d you get that? I was lookin’ for it.” I snatch it from her hand.

“Under your bed. Where you always put it.” She raises her brow. “You’re gonna need it now that he’s … gone?”

I grin. “I’ll see about that, but it’s none of your business.”

She laughs. “Good. Keep it that way. I really
don’t
wanna know what my best friend and former teacher are doing. Yuck.” She sticks out her tongue.

“But you’ll come visit me, right? Even if he could be there?”

“Of course,” she says, putting her hands against her side. “Like you could survive without me.”

I laugh. “True.”

“That’s nothin’ but da tru tru.”

I make a face and snort from her reference to a movie we once watched. I think it was
Cloud Atlas.
Not that it matters.

“Wait, aren’t you forgetting something?” Lesley holds up a packet of cigarettes.

For a moment, I’m tempted to grab them, but then I don’t. “Nah, keep them.”

“You sure?” She frowns. “You’re quitting?”

“Yeah, I think so.” I shrug it off and grab my suitcase, waltzing to the door.

“So … I’ll see you around then?” she says, folding her arms.

I turn around and drop my suitcase, opening my arms. “C’mere, bitch.”

She runs into my arms and hugs me, and I slap her on the ass, laughing hard. “Make the boys go crazy for you, but be careful, okay? I’m not gonna have your back anymore, so you gotta have your own.”

“Oh, I’ve had enough parties to last a lifetime now. I’m just gonna settle for studying for a while,” she muses, winking as we stop hugging.

“Good. And I don’t wanna see you away from this campus unless it’s to visit me. You have to succeed.”

“Of course. Someone’s gotta set the right example,” she jokes, and I roll my eyes.

“Right, Les … bye!” I grab my suitcase and turn around.

She slaps my ass so hard it makes me jolt. “Go get ‘em, bitch.”

“Yeah, yeah! You’ll be hearing from me. Don’t worry. My name will be everywhere, just you wait.”

“Good, I’ll check the newspaper every day.”

“You’d better,” I shout as I walk through the hallway.

“See ya!” she yells.

“Love ya!”

And as I take my final glance, I can’t help but brush my cheeks. Fucking stray tears messing with my epic escape from college.

But I’m gonna miss that girl … no doubt about it.

All the more reason to see her soon. And from the sound of her shouting, she’ll be checking up on me every day of the week, so I don’t think we’ll be separated for long.

***

I’ve been staying at my mom’s house for a few days, at least, until I find my own place. She doesn’t mind because now she gets to squash me with love every five minutes. Plus, I’m paying rent now that I’ve finally gotten a proper job.

Well, ‘job’ … I’m washing glasses and cleaning floors after closing time for a club near the campus. It’s not ideal, but it pays nice, and this way, I get to build up some experience in the field I wanna work in. It’s also very close to Lesley, which she finds very convenient. She keeps face-planting the window in the middle of the night to scare the living crap out of me, and it works every single damn time.

Damn her.

Not that I mind.

I kinda like this newfound freedom. Going out into the world. Not giving a shit what anyone thinks. Just living my life.

That, and lounging on the couch while scrolling through my Facebook timeline to see what everyone is up to, like I’m doing now. It’s nice to watch them do what they love. And to finally feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be too.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes and a message pops up from a familiar guy.

Thomas:
How’s the free life going?

Hailey:
Good, very good, actually. How did you know?

Thomas:
I asked Lesley when you weren’t at your dorm room.

Hailey:
Stalker. :P

Thomas:
I never give up.

Hailey:
I know you don’t.

Thomas:
Unless you want me to, of course.

I pause and think about it for a second, but all I can do is grin like a teenage girl.

Hailey:
Don’t ever stop.

Thomas:
Oh, I won’t. I’ll be here, lurking in the shadows, waiting until you’re ready. I know you needed a break. I’ll wait. I’ll wait as long as I have to, even if it’s forever.

I suck on my bottom lip and smile.

Hailey:
Creeper. :P

Thomas:
Sorry. I can get a bit overenthusiastic when it comes to the things I want to keep.

Hailey:
Keep? As if you ever had me.

Thomas:
Not yet … but I will. Someday. And you know, I think that day’s coming pretty soon.

Hailey:
Oh, really? When?

Thomas:
How about Saturday at eight? You know where.

Hailey:
Hmm … You mean that place you said you’d never visit again?

Thomas:
Just like that mistake I’d never make again.

Hailey:
You sure do like things wrong, don’t you?

Thomas:
Shaken, not stirred. You?

Hailey:
We’ll see …

Thomas:
Yes, we will.

God, he’s such an arrogant prick.

But I love him for it.

I can honestly say I do.

Well, not in a get-a-fucking-ring-and-stand-in-front-of-the-altar way, but just the part where I’d say I could give it a shot.

Thomas:
You know I’ll wait forever. Even if you don’t show up. I’ll be there the next Saturday too. And the one after that. I’m an eternal party animal. #PartyHard

Hailey:
As long as the party is for two.

Thomas:
I don’t share. You know that.

Hailey:
I don’t either.

Thomas:
So fiery. … I like that. Just like your hair color.

Hailey:
Maybe I’ll dye it blue.

It takes him a while to respond.

Thomas:
Blue … almost the hottest part of a flame. #Chemistry

Hailey:
You really don’t give up, do you?

Thomas:
Not when it comes to you. And you know why? Because the more time I spend away from you, the more I realize that I don’t want to be anywhere other than right next to you. In whatever way possible. Because nothing’s going to change the fact that I’m madly in love with you, Hailey Walters. So … would you go out on a
real
date with me?

I’m smiling from ear to ear.

Hailey:
I thought you’d never ask …

Thomas

As I walk through the club, I know exactly where to go.

It’s familiar ground, and this isn’t my first rodeo.

But it may be my last.

When I spot her across the room, my heart practically bounces out of my chest. Crazy, huh? How within a few weeks, a man can go from his dick bursting out of his pants to this. A weak pile of mush at the sight of her.

She’s just as beautiful as ever with her red bob, which now fades to blue at the bottom. But her physical appearance isn’t what attracts me the most. It’s her spirit. Her will to live and to defy everything and everyone around her.

All this time, I was searching for something—something to make me feel alive—and I found it in her. I was so afraid to love because I’d only known a love that was slipping away. But Hailey … she’s wanted me since the day I met her. Never once did she give up. She was never afraid to love, even when she’d felt it so little from others.

I’m no longer afraid. I’m no longer stumbling in and out of her arms.

She was mine from the beginning.

We weren’t falling.

We were running to each other.

Just as we are now.

With a smug smile, I approach her as she picks up her drink and takes a sip, casually eyeing my body from top to bottom and back. When our eyes lock, she puts her drink down on the table and smiles cheekily.

“Hey,” I say. “Used your fake ID, I see.”

“Hi.” She giggles, a blush appearing on her cheeks. “It still comes in useful.”

“How are you? Been up to something good since leaving college?”

“Yeah … just work and stuff. Not much else.”

I narrow my eyes. “So that whole business thing you were talking about?”

“Not yet,” she says, chuckling. “But I’ll get there, eventually. And you?”

“Same,” I say. “Still looking for that perfect job.”

“Ahh … look, I’m sorry about—”

“Don’t be,” I interrupt. “We both lost something. And maybe gained something new …” The left side of my lip tips up into a smile.

“Hmm … true. I never thanked you for doing what you did.”

“What?”

“With my mom’s boyfriend and all …” She shrugs.

I shake my head. “Don’t mention it. Really. That asshole deserved what he had coming. And besides, I needed to make things right.”

She smiles. “I know. I just wanted to thank you.”

It grows quiet again, but then she asks, “I hope it’s not keeping you up at night.”

“What? That I put a man in jail?”

“Yeah.”

“Nope. Not even one bit.”

“And your other nightmares?”

My forehead creases for a second, but then I relax. “Haven’t had them in a while.”

“Really? Well, at least you got that going for ya …”

I place a hand on her arm. “It’s because of you that I no longer have them.”

Her brows furrow. “What do you mean?”

“Other dreams have replaced the nightmares,” I whisper. “And by other dreams, I mean filthy ones about a certain bad student …” I wriggle my eyebrows, making her roll her eyes and playfully slap me.

“Oh, stop,” she says, chuckling.

I shrug it off. “It’s the truth.”

“Well, I’m happy for you, even if I feel a little creeped out. It’s just damn shitty you had to lose your job over me.”

“No, it’s not your fault,” I say.

Her face scrunches up, like she’s thinking about something all of the sudden. “You know, maybe we could start up that business together. Then we’d both be doing something worthwhile.”

I frown but then think about it … “That’s not even a bad idea.”

“Oh.” She laughs. “It was just a random thought.”

“No, I like it.” I smile, and she smiles back, but then our conversation grows quiet again.

“Awkward,” she muses.

“It doesn’t have to be.” I grin and hold out my hand. “Want to dance?”

Her brows lift and she grabs my hand, so I gently tug her along to the dance floor. I place my hand on her waist and put hers on my shoulder as we start to dance to the music.

“It feels so strange to be here again with you,” she says.

“Strange good, or strange bad?”

“Both.” She lifts her shoulders, smiling devilishly.

“So let’s just start again.” I pull her close. “Let’s pretend we’re strangers.”

“Strangers?” She snorts. “Right.”

“Yeah. Do I know you? Because I would love to.”

She laughs, and it’s the most delightful thing I’ve heard in a long time. “All right, mister.”

“Oh, I like it when you call me that.” I swoop her off her feet and twirl her around. “But my name is Thomas. Thomas Hard. Pleasure to meet you.”

She rolls her eyes when I raise my brow at her. “Fine, my name is Hailey Walters, but you knew that already.”

“And I’ll want to know it every damn day of the week,” I murmur, whisking her close. “Tell me, Miss, do you like to play games?”

“Depends on what kind of game,” she whispers.

“Dangerous games. Except this time … I’m not your teacher, and you’re not my student. And we can do whatever we want … whenever we want. Exactly the way we want it.”

“Does that mean I have a say in things too?” she jests.

“Depends on the situation.” I grab her ass and squeeze. “Because you should know something about me, and that’s the fact that I like dishing out orders to naughty girls.”

“Ooh …” She sucks in a breath as my tongue dips out to lick her neck.

“Are you a naughty girl?” I ask.

“Depends … are you the right guy?” She moans as I end my lick with a kiss.

“I can be anyone you want me to be … as long as I can be the one for you.”

“Yes,” she murmurs. “Fuck, yes.”

I grin against her skin. “Is that a yes to just one night, or for the rest of your life?”

“Maybe … Does that mean I’m more to you than just a girl you can fuck?” She bites her lip, and it makes me want to lean in and bite it for her.

“I think the words ‘I love you’ already made that quite clear, didn’t they?” I say.

“Say it again,” she whispers.

“I love you, Hailey.”

I grab her face with both hands and smash my lips to hers, not giving a shit whether anyone’s watching, if anyone knows us, or where we are.

I want her to be mine.

And I don’t give a damn that it cost me my job or my reputation.

She is worth it.

When our lips detach, I want nothing more than to kiss her again, but my desire to be alone with her takes over. “Come home with me. Not as a girl I can fuck but as my girlfriend. The one I want to be with outside the bedroom too.”

“Depends… Do you think Ninja will be jealous of you?”

I laugh. “Maybe we should get another cat … to keep him company.”

She grins. “A pussy named ice cream.”

“Ice cream?”

“Yeah … so I can buy her a matching collar for my earrings. Plus, what cat doesn’t wanna lick some ice cream?” she jokes, making me laugh.

“Perfect. So you ready to go home then?”

“Fuck, yeah,” she says, chuckling as I nibble her earlobe.

“Hmm … Then let’s get out of here. But first, I want to make a stop at your mom’s house.”

She frowns and her lips part as she opens her eyes again, dazed from my kiss. “What? Why?”

I lick my lips and try to bite away the smile on my face, but it’s not effective. “Because we’re going to pick up that pink dildo you were talking about. Mr. Rabbit?”

Her eyes widen and then she bursts out into laughter. “Oh, god. You mean Mr. Pink?”

“Mr. Pink? It has a name?” When I laugh, she playfully punches me.

“Shut up, like you never gave your dick a name.”

“At least my dick’s attached to my body,” I say.

“Like that makes it any different. Pfft.”

A grin spreads across my face. “No matter, that only makes it better.”

“What? You wanna use my dildo?”

“I told you it would happen. It was only a matter of time. I want to do loads of stuff with you, including but not limited to shoving my—”

“Okay, okay, I get it. Geez, you sound like a lawyer.”

“I just know what I want, and I’m not afraid to show it,” I muse. “And it was only a matter of time before we ended up back here.”

“Back together?”

“I was going to say ‘back in this club,’ but yeah, that’ll do.”

She shakes her head and rolls her eyes, which I think is so cute, I can’t help but kiss her again while she’s doing it. And that’s just it.

All I want to do is kiss her, and I don’t ever want to stop.

Life’s a string of random moments, moments you can either push away or enjoy for what they are. And now, I’ve finally learned to enjoy this moment just the way it is.

###

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***

Check out
VIKTOR
, a dark romance standalone!

Animal. Monster. Beast. That's what they call Viktor Melikov, the man who hides in the dark ... But even monsters need to be loved. The moment he sees the girl hired to dance for him, everything ceases to exist. It's a feeling he's unfamiliar with ... and craves more than anything.

Alexis Kidd sells her body. Not because she wants to, but because she needs to. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to support her family and survive.

Now she must dance for a man hiding behind a veil.

But when the urge to take a look grows too strong ... Alexis gets more than she bargained for.

More than Viktor was willing to give.

VIKTOR is a standalone romance inspired by a fairytale.

Read it now!

***

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*Author Note: This is not your average romance story. Some people will kill for love.*

He’s come to kill me.

I’m a user and abuser of my own body. In my darkest hour I sold my soul to the devil and now I must pay the price. With his gun to my head I have no choice but to listen and obey, but I refuse to go down easily. Nothing is stronger than the will to survive. My instincts kicked into full gear the second he stepped into my motel room.