Chapter 11
Gage swam one more length of the backyard pool, trying to cool off from the hot Texas sun after he and Jonathan had finished mowing their acre of land that surrounded the two-story, split-level house. After hauling himself out of the water, he grabbed the towel draped across the back of one of the wicker patio chairs on the sprawling deck. He dried off his wet hair and chest then sat down on the gray and blue cushion of the outdoor sofa. He propped his feet on the coffee table and reached for his phone. He scrolled through his contacts until he reached Carly’s name. He chuckled as he remembered the promise he’d made Rachel at the bar last night when she’d finally relented and gave him Carly’s number. Gage could kick himself for not getting it sooner. But the few times they’d crossed paths, they’d either both been in a hurry or he’d completely forgotten to ask her for it.
He pressed the button and leaned back, resting his head against the bricks of the house and listened to the ring on the other end of the line. He couldn’t wait to hear Carly’s voice and ask what had spooked her last night at the bar.
“Hel…hello,” she stuttered hesitantly in his ear. His cock jumped to life pressing uncomfortably against the wet fabric of his swim trunks at the mere sound of her sweet voice.
“Hey, Carly. It’s Gage,” he answered, wondering at the relieved sigh he heard.
“Oh, hey,” she replied with a little more enthusiasm.
Gage adjusted himself and pictured the soft look on her face after he’d kissed her the previous evening. Shaking his head and remembering why he’d called her, he cleared his throat. “Can we talk about last night?”
A long minute of silence passed before she finally released another sigh. “I know you’re probably wondering why I ran out of there so fast.”
“Yeah, it might have crossed my mind. Are you busy?” Gage drawled into the phone hoping he might be able to convince her to go get a burger, so they could talk face to face.
“Actually, I am,” she sighed as a loud rustle sounded through the phone, making Gage think she was probably grading papers.
“What about tomorrow during your conference period?” Gage asked as he sat forward and raked a hand through his nearly dry hair, hoping she wasn’t trying to put him off.
“Sure,” she breathed over the line. “Where do you want to meet?”
“I’ll just come to your room.” Gage stood and walked over to the glass doors at the back of the house.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Carly replied.
“See you tomorrow,” Gage answered then ended the call and walked into the house, hoping whatever had caused her to run away from him last night wasn’t going to derail his plans to woo the beautiful woman.
***
Gage made his way through the quiet halls of the school both excited and dreading the coming conversation with Carly. He couldn’t get the image of her panicked face from Saturday night out of his mind.
As he reached the top of the stairs, Gage paused as Dr. Lucille Crawford stormed out of the classroom across from Carly’s. Clenching his jaw, he stepped to the side as the pale, skinny woman pointed her nose in the air and pinched her lips together while she passed him, ignoring his polite greeting. Shrugging his shoulders, he continued over to Carly standing outside her room with her brows bunched together as she stared at the door across the hall.
“I wonder what that was all about,” she commented as Gage came to a stop beside her.
“I don’t know, but Dr. Crawford wouldn’t even speak as I passed her,” Gage answered, sweeping his eyes over the sexy–although she probably didn’t intend it–dress Carly had on. He couldn’t help but run his eyes slowly over the silky green material clinging to her breasts before dipping into her waist and over her hips, emphasizing the soft curves he was aching to get his hands on once again. When a quiet cough interrupted his perusal of her luscious body, his gaze flew back to her beautiful brown eyes and raised brows.
“Come on in,” she said and turned to walk through her door. As Gage stepped into the classroom and reached back to pull the heavy wooden door closed, Carly looked over her shoulder and added, “Leave the door open, please.”
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. We don’t need Dr. Crawford accusing us of any more inappropriate behavior,” Gage replied as he walked behind her to a table and chairs in the corner of the room. He wondered if the warnings from Dr. Crawford were behind her reaction at the bar. Crossing his arms over his chest, he leaned back in the hard plastic student chair. He looked over at Carly perched on the edge of her seat, fingering the gold chain around her neck and avoiding his gaze.
“Are you ready to tell me what happened Saturday night?” Gage watched as moisture pooled in her eyes. He racked his brain for something he might have done to upset her.
Finally, she took a deep breath. “I’m divorced, and I don’t think this is going to work.”
Tensing, Gage sat up, a sharp pain hitting the center of his chest at the sight of tears falling down her cheeks. “What do you mean this isn’t going to work? I don’t care if you’re divorced.”
“I mean, I can’t be seen with you,” she whispered, wiping the tears from her cheeks before squaring her shoulders and giving him her eyes.
Gage stared into the chocolate depths swirling with emotion for a second, his heart thudding at the thought of things ending between them before they even started. “Why? Did I do something?”
“No.” She shook her head.
Carly turned to the window. “My ex-husband might find me.”
Gage couldn’t stop the growl that sounded from his throat and leaned forward.
Carly turned back to face him, a determined look in her eyes. “I met Daniel when I went into his office at the credit union to get a loan for my first new car after I started teaching. All the time we were dating, I never saw any indication of the kind of man he truly was.”
“Go on,” he said when she paused and shook her head dropping her eyes to the floor.
“I was so stupid to marry him. He lavished me with gifts and a big fancy house the first few years we were married, while all the time he was sneaking around behind my back sleeping with anything sporting boobs and a vagina. When I first started getting suspicious, he swore I was imagining things. Thinking I was in love, I believed him. Things were good for a while until I came home sick from school one day and found him in bed with two girls from his office.”
Carly stood up to walk behind her desk and began straightening some papers stacked on top. Gage stayed in his chair even though he longed to take her in his arms and tell her everything would be all right.
Without looking up, she continued, “I moved back home with my parents and filed for divorce, but Daniel didn’t make it easy. He refused to believe our marriage was over and wouldn’t sign the divorce papers. I had to hire an attorney and Daniel managed to drag it out for two years. He finally signed after I gave him everything except our dog, Max, but he still wouldn’t let me go.”
“What do you mean he wouldn’t let you go?” Gage asked as he got up and went over to stand in front of her desk, tamping down the urge to find the sorry bastard and make him pay for what he’d put her through.
“He wouldn’t leave me alone. He would come to the school where I worked or corner me somewhere, begging me to take him back. When his pleas turned to threats, I started to look for a new position and moved here. For now, he doesn’t know where I am,” she finished and sat down in the chair behind her desk.
Gage’s chest tightened as she looked up with tears swimming in her eyes once again, and he wished he could take away her pain. Leaning down and placing the palms of his hands on the edge of her desk, he sighed. “So when you remembered all the phones snapping pictures of me you got scared.”
“Yes,” she whispered, dropping her eyes to the stack of papers in the middle of her desk.
“And you want to give up that easily?” Gage asked, walking around to kneel in front of her.
“No,” she shook her head. “But what choice do I have? People take pictures of you wherever you go. If I’m with you, I’ll be in them too. Daniel’s a huge fan of yours, and he’ll see anything that gets posted on social media.”
Pulling her into his arms despite the fact they were in her classroom and anyone walking by could see, he kissed the top of her head and breathed in her sweet vanilla scent, wishing he could make her fears go away. “If you want to end this, I understand. I don’t want to force things if it’s not what you want. Tell me, and I’ll walk out of here. We can just be friends. No hard feelings. But, I was hoping for more.” He sighed and stepped back, letting go of her.
His heart sped up, and a small bud of hope began to bloom as she gave him a wobbly smile.
“Do you want me to leave?” Gage asked, drawing in a long breath.
“No, not really. But how will this work?” Carly asked with her brown eyes shining with hope and a relieved Gage released the pent-up air in his lungs.
“I don’t know, but I’m perfectly happy with keeping things out of the public eye. We can take things slow if that’s what you want. I’m not going to have much free time right now anyway with football season in full gear and dealing with the documentary. Maybe we could have dinner at my place instead of going out, if that’s okay?” Gage questioned. His stomach dropped at seeing the tears back in her eyes, wishing he could take back whatever he’d said to upset her, again. “But, I’m sure we could find a way to go out on a date if—"
He didn’t get to finish as she shook her head and interrupted, “No, it sounds great. I just remembered the game Friday night. I didn’t know about the documentary until Mr. Andrews told me during halftime. If I had, I would have paid more attention to the cameras when they panned over the crowd. I’m sure Daniel will be watching and if…” her voice trailed off as she wrapped her arms around her middle and sniffled.
“And if he sees you, he’ll come after you,” Gage finished for her. He reached for one of her trembling hands to rub his thumbs gently across the top. “I’ll talk to the producer and explain your situation. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“Okay, that should work. When does the first episode air?” Carly’s face lit up and a feeling of relief washed over Gage now that he knew what had been bugging her Saturday night. “Tomorrow night at eight. Are you going to watch?” Gage asked returning her smile, glad he wasn’t losing his chance with her.
“Wow. That’s quick,” Carly said as a flash of worry crossed in her eyes before she squeezed his hand. “But, of course I’ll watch.”
“Don’t worry, Carly. I’m reviewing the episode tonight and if you’re in it I’ll have them take you out.” He felt her relax as he pulled her hand up to brush his lips against the tips wishing he could taste her mouth instead. “I have to get back to practice.”
Gage smiled, his heart beating a happy rhythm as she nodded and allowed her hand to remain in his as they walked side by side to the door of her classroom. Making sure none of the cameramen were in the hall after he’d asked them for some privacy, he took a chance and pulled her close once more. He quickly kissed her sweet lips and whispered, “I’ll call you soon.”
As Gage made his way down the stairs and out the door to the parking lot behind the building, he was already making plans to invite her over.