“Don’t start that bullshit.”
“Why? Are you trying to tell me you didn’t notice how her skirt kisses those thighs I know you want to spread?” His challenge is clear. Asshole. Sometimes, we fight and argue, but I love him, deeply. The only person I’ll ever offer that feeling to.
“Aren’t you late for something?” I bite out as frustration takes hold of me. Ahren chuckles, knowing he has me right where he wants me. Even though I try to school my expression, it doesn’t work.
Arabella.
When I saw her name on the roll call, excitement shot through me. But then I noticed it. There’s an air of sadness that emanates from her. I must admit, she reeled me in, and I never expected it. She doesn’t belong here, in a small town. She should be walking runways. But then again, I never planned on teaching at some rich-kid academy when I could’ve been traveling the world. But we all make our choices.
“Ahren, she’s off limits,” I bite out, but I know Ahren notices my shift in demeanor, and from the tone of my voice, it’s clear. She’s affected me. He can read me like a book, even though everyone else can’t see shit going on behind my façade.
“They’re eighteen,” Ahren tells me easily. His dark eyes land on mine. “You know, teacher-student relationships are frowned upon,” he jokes, bumping shoulders with me. Being the older one in our relationship, I’ve gotten used to his behavior at times, which can be immature. There are moments I wish he’d think about what he says.
“I’m a professional, I don’t—”
“Cut the crap, man,” he says. “You’re into her. I can see it written all over your face. Why don’t you come to a party at Alistor’s house this weekend? I’ll make sure she’s there.”
“I don’t do high school parties,” I snap, finally locking my wary gaze on my idiot brother, who looks like he’s enjoying taunting me. “And if I’m seen there, I will lose all credibility with the students.”
“This isn’t your first rollercoaster. Your first few months of teaching, you had one of those pretty girls bouncing on your dick like she was trying to ace her exam.”
“It was a mistake. I was stupid enough to break the rules.”
He grins. “Rules are meant to be broken, Eli. And most of the students already see you as an equal since you’re not ancient like some of the professors we have at college. When I was in my senior year, it was the teachers who gave us the time of day who stuck out to me, that I remember, like you. Not the old, stuck-up assholes who treated us like shit.”
“I don’t treat them like shit. But it looks like I’m preying on students if I were to party with you.” I don’t know why I’m so frustrated at Ahren. No. That’s a lie. I do know. It’s so fucking clear. I’m allowing some little girl to get the better of me. Yes, she’s beautiful, but she’s too young for me, and I’m her teacher.
“Come to the goddamned party, Eli. There’ll be a few college girls as well.” It’s tempting. A party may not be great when my students are there, but what else is there to do in this town? Most of the single women my age are looking for a ring and a white picket fence. But with Ahren, I don’t feel like I’m that much older than him, so it won’t look strange if I were to attend.
“Fine,” I sigh, turning to the garden once more. “Just don’t do anything stupid when we’re out together. I don’t need a reminder than you’re my baby brother.” This time, I taunt him. We only have a seven-year difference, him being twenty-three, but at times, it feels like we’re lifetimes apart.
“Baby?” He chuckles before grabbing his crotch. “Hardly. I’m looking forward to it, bro.” Ahren grins. “I’ll see you on the weekend. And don’t be late,” he tells me with a mock salute after he sets his empty coffee mug on the table.
I don’t want to act like a father and question him about the biker club he’s mentioned or the apprenticeship I know he has coming up, so I nod. When I was younger, I would be out at parties till the early hours of the following morning. But this is a new chapter in our lives, and my home is always open to him. Some evenings, Ahren will stay over, but I have a feeling he’s got plans tonight.
I glance at the time. It’s late, and I need to get ready for work. I make my way indoors and hope I don’t have another physical run-in with the beauty today.
Arabella.
Her name elicits thoughts I shouldn’t be having. I should be focused on revenge, but there’s more to it than that. Perhaps having her here is a gift I should enjoy.