“Well…that sucks,” Hazel mumbles, reading a note left on the counter.
“What does?” I lean over her shoulder to read the scribbles.
“My dad got caught up with some work stuff, so he won’t be home before we take off. Ugh…typical.” She balls up the note and tosses it in the trash. I wonder if it has anything to do with me. Maybe he’s come to his senses and realizes this is wrong. It is wrong! But my body tells me nothing that feels this good can be wrong. We feel right together. Age gap be damned.
“It’s all right. I’m sure he had a reason.”
She huffs and grabs her bag. “Yeah. He always has a reason. Let’s go.”
The first half of the week passes—nothing from Heath. I’m starting to doubt that what we shared was two-sided. Regret sits heavy in my chest. I want to call him, but I’m afraid he’ll turn me down. Worried that Hazel will catch me. Plus, I don’t have his number, only the FaceTime connection.
Our psychology class ends and Hazel and I gather our things. We’re nearing the bottom of the lecture hall when Jim flags me down. “Hey, Violet, you got a second?” I’m hesitant to stop. I avoided him on Monday and was hoping to do the same today. Talking to him brings back Heath’s comment about him not being able to please me…and that he doesn’t share.
“Um…yeah. What’s up?”
His smile is genuine, just not the smile that gets my blood pumping. “Sorry we got interrupted last week. I was hoping we could maybe get that drink sometime.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I was busy anyhow.” Getting pounded into next year by a damn stallion.
“Oh good, I was worried you were avoiding me.”
“No, of course not.” One hundred percent avoiding you.
“Cool, so maybe you want to grab a drink? Coffee even? It would have to be off-campus, but why don’t you give me your number and we can set a time later?” I’m hesitant to do so, but then Hazel nudges me, completely unaware of why it’s not a good idea.
“She’d love to give you her number!” She spits out my phone number, and I struggle to keep my smile in place, fighting off annoyance.
“Well…cool. I’ll call you. I gotta get to my next class.” And then he’s gone.
“Girl, you need to hit that. He’s hot. And older guys are the way to go. Trust me.”
Oh, I know. Your daddy proved that theory right. “I know, but I’m really swamped with my classes, I’m not sure I have time to date anyone.”
She tosses her hand in the air. “Date? Who said anything about dating? I’m talking about slapping skins. Mindless sex and obviously free coffee.” Well, your daddy made it very clear he doesn’t share, so slapping skins with our professor is out. What about him, though? Is he seeing other women? “Geez, no need to get all mad about it.”
“What?” I don’t realize I’m scowling. “Oh, sorry. Just have a lot on my mind. Let’s get back.”
I’m coming from the shower when I hear him. That signature voice that gets every nerve in my body buzzing. I walk into our room, my towel still wrapped around me, and find Hazel sitting at her desk with her laptop open.
“I know, Dad. Trust me. It’s just ethics.”
“That doesn’t matter. I want you to be doing your best. You’re there for school.”
Hazel starts going on about her other classes, and I steal a glimpse at her screen. His eyes are on me, the heat of his stare burning through my towel. My fingers tug at the material, and it falls to the ground, leaving me completely exposed. Hazel is still talking, clueless. I shouldn’t be so obvious. This is too risky. But I desperately miss that darkness in his gaze.
I should feel disgusted with myself, but I don’t. I turn around and bend to grab my towel, giving him the eyeful he wants. It makes me feel in control. Wanted. My sex aches, and I now regret starting this because all I want is for him to touch me.
“And if I finish algebra in time, I plan to hit up this festival—”
“I’m coming to visit you this weekend.”
That catches both of our attention. “This weekend? Why? I mean, I’d love for you to come, but I was just home and—”
“I want to see how my girl is getting along at school. Can’t a father do that?”
Hazel shrugs, and my heart soars out of my chest. I quickly wrap myself back up in my towel and gather some clothes before Hazel realizes I’m on full display for her dad.
“Of course. I’d love to see you. Violet, you cool with my dad coming?” She twists in her chair for my response, and I bite my tongue to keep my composure.
I steady my breathing. “Sure. Fine with me.” I make eye contact with Heath. “Hi, Mr. Winters.”