CHAPTER FIVE
Karina
I’m on my second glass of wine tonight, and my mind is still completely blown that Mason is Caleb Harrison’s dad. I’m also still trying to recover from the way I orgasmed in my classroom. This man makes me do things I could lose my job over, but that fear pales in comparison to the way he makes me feel. Dear God, my face gets red as I think about it, body heats up as I relive it. I’m five minutes into the best daydream I’ve ever had when my phone rings. Glancing at the caller ID, I see that it’s my mom.
“Hey Mom,” I answer, sitting up straight and setting my wine over to the side. I’m doing my best to appear like I’m not half-way tipsy, but I’m not sure how well it’s working.
“Hey,” she answers, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “How’s it going down south? We miss you.”
I know she does. Every time she calls me, she doesn’t necessarily lay on a guilt trip, but she lets me know how much they miss me at home. I haven’t yet told her Philly doesn’t feel like home anymore or that I’m happier in Laurel Springs than I ever was there. “It’s going good. My students are getting restless, they’re itching to graduate.” I try to keep the topics we discuss safe. No way I can tell her what happened in my classroom today.
“Ready to get away from home, huh?”
Her words are met with my sigh. “Mom, I’m happy here. I know I’m far away, and I know that worries you, but I’m making friends and a new life here. I love it, even if it’s not where you think I should be.”
The disapproval is coming through the phone line, feeling like a boulder between us because of her judgement. “I just don’t want you to forget you have a family here.”
I’m glad she can’t see my eye roll. “I’m not going to forget it, just please respect the fact that I have a new life here. I’m happy in Alabama.”
The strained silence on the line is one of the reasons I left in the first place, but I can’t tell her that. Just as I’m about to make my excuses and get off the phone call, she talks.
“Karina, there’s something I need to tell you. I don’t even know if you care anymore, but I feel like you need to know.”
“Just spit it out, whatever it is, I’ll deal with it.”
She struggles, I can tell because it takes her longer than normal to lay whatever boom this is down on me. “Braxton and Sofie are getting married.”
Those names are my ex-fiancé and my ex-best friend. I knew it had to do with them by the way she was beating around the bush. “Good for them.” I let out a breath I hadn’t been aware I was holding.
“This has to hurt, Karina.” She keeps talking, but I stop listening.
In actuality, the pain I’d always assumed would be there when I found out this news isn’t there. If they found love and they were able to keep it going, good on them. Not everyone can find someone to make them happy, and not everyone can make a commitment. I just hope Braxton doesn’t do to her what he did to me. Either way, that’s none of my business now.
“Are you okay, Karina?”
“I’m great, I’m happy for them. Mom, I’ve moved on.”
“Have you met someone?”
Right now I’m not sure what Mason and I are, so I don’t really want to talk about it with her. “It’s very new, Mom. If it gets serious, I’ll introduce you.”
“I just want you to be happy.”
“Mom, I am happy.” And I realize I am. Back when I’d first moved here, I wasn’t. The way I’d run had been a form of self-preservation, but now I’m in a place I love, teaching kids I love, and nothing else could be better.
“Love you, Mom. Talk to you again soon.”
And as I get off the phone, I get a text from the man who’s occupied my thoughts all afternoon.
Menace
Since I left the high school, I’ve been an uncomfortable and moody bastard. A part of my conscience berates itself for pulling that shit with Karina in her classroom, the other half of me congratulates myself for taking what we both wanted. It’s been a long time since I did it, almost thought I’d forgotten how to assert myself, but I’m glad to know that part of me is very alive and well. My dick is still hard, but I know I’ll have a semi until I’m deep inside her again. After making two rounds of the route I’ve been assigned and an hour before I go off-shift, I park on the side of the road, setting up my radar gun. With any luck, I won’t have anyone speeding and it’ll allow me to take care of some business.
For the first ten minutes, I catch up on paperwork, and then I can’t wait anymore. I pick up my cell phone and send Karina a message.
M: Imagine my surprise when I walked into my son’s classroom and saw you today.
The surprise had been immediate. Never had I imagined this hot-as-hell woman to be a teacher. We never had a teacher that looked like her when I was in school, that’s for damn sure.
K: Surprise was mutual, big guy. When you talked about having a son, I imagined some cute little kid about six-years-old. Never in a million years did I think you were Caleb Harrison’s dad. How old are you? Did you lie on the app?
I chuckle at her question. It’s one that’s routinely asked when I explain I’m his dad and he’s my son. Sometimes it irritates me, because I’ve answered it so often, but I find I like sharing pieces of myself with her.
M: No, I’m 34…almost 35. Caleb was a very early in life surprise.
K: I can’t wait to hear the story. Caleb’s a special kid, he’s been awesome to have in my class.
While I feel a twinge of pride, I know sometimes Caleb’s a smartass and he’s probably tried her patience a time or two.
M: No need to blow smoke, Teach. I know my son. He can be an ass, and he can have the smartest mouth on him, but he’s intelligent when he puts his mind to it.
K: You know him well…
M: It’s just been us for a long time we have to know each other well. When can I see you again?
The question is impulsive, but I know if I don’t make an effort with this woman, she’ll slip between my fingers. After waiting as long as I have to get back in the game, I don’t want to let her go. Not after the time we had, not after she’s monopolized my thoughts, and definitely not after I’ve found her again.
K: Tomorrow is Friday, are you free tomorrow night? Or do you work? I’m assuming you work some crazy shifts.
M: Sometimes, but I work a day shift tomorrow. I’m free for the night. Caleb’s got a date and won’t be home until late.
K: Where you taking me, big guy?
That’s a good question, there aren’t a lot of good places in Laurel Springs, but we can’t drive to Birmingham every time we want to go out on a date.
M: Wherever you want to go, as long as it’s in town. I have to work early on Saturday.
K: Is the Mexican place good? I’ve never eaten there. Only The Café and the fast food places, or I cook at home.
M: Yeah, it’s one of the better ones I’ve been to, and I’ve lived all around the country.
K: Okay, I’ll see you there tomorrow. Will you pick me up and take me home so I can have a margarita or two?
Immediately a smile spreads across my face. I’ve never had a woman ask that question before, and I kind of like it. She’s cute and sexy at the same time. Hopefully she wants to get a little tipsy so we can take advantage of our situation.
M: It’ll be my pleasure. Pick you up at six?
K: Sounds perfect! See you then, Mason.
As I put my phone back in the cup holder, I do it with the huge smile still on my face.
* * *
“Dad, why didn’t you tell me you went out on a date with Ms. Holland?”
Caleb is waiting for me when I get off-shift, sitting in the living room, watching TV in the early-evening light. I don’t know how he knows, but he’s always been good at guessing things.
“I didn’t realize she was Ms. Holland,” I honestly tell him. “We didn’t exchange last names, didn’t tell each other what we did for a living. She knew I had a son, but she didn’t know your name and didn’t know how old you were.”
“The chemistry was so hot between you two that most of the people in the classroom picked up on it. I think I know why you were smiling so much after your date with her. There’s a lesson here.” My son folds his arms over his chest. “Was this really the smartest thing you could have done? I mean she could have hurt you, abducted you, and left you on the side of the road.”
He’s giving me back everything I’ve told him about going with people he doesn’t know. “It was careless of me, and irresponsible. I know, I know.” But the truth is, I’d been so excited to go out with a woman who didn’t know my life as a single dad, that I’d pushed all that away.
“I hope you’ve learned from your mistake. I won’t say I’m angry about it, but I am disappointed in you.” He uses the same voice I use with him when he’s done something to disappoint me, and when I see the grin threatening across his face, I throw my jacket at him.
“You little shithead.” I don’t even know what to say to him.
“For real though, Dad, can I be real with you for a second? Dude’s want to get with Ms. Holland. Like the new science teacher, he’s been trying to hit it for at least the last few months. Coach has asked her out twice, and she’s said no both times. But you, something about you got her to go out with you.”
“Well I don’t know what it was, I was myself when we emailed and texted.”
“Don’t let this go to your head, but you’re kind of a cool guy when you aren’t trying so hard.”
“Gee thanks, Caleb.”
“It’s what I’m here for.” He turns to look at me. “And real talk, Ms. Holland had some gnarly looking hickeys on her neck after the date the two of you went on. She tried to hide it, but you could tell. All of us were trying to figure out who hit that, because Ms. Holland is hot as hell. She doesn’t know it, which makes her even hotter.”
Now I’ve heard enough. “Look, if I’m going to date her, and I really would like to, I can’t have you checking her out if I bring her around here.”
“Dad.” He rolls his eyes. “I check out lots of women, I’m a teenage guy. But I would never disrespect you, and if she’s someone you want to spend time with, I want you to do it. You’ve lived your life for me, for a lot of years. I want you to live it for yourself now, make yourself happy.”
“You know what? I’m going to. Wherever this goes with her, even if it doesn’t end up lasting, I’m going to experience it.”
Mind made up, I realize I’m ready for it. Completely ready to try my hand at an adult relationship, and no matter how it ends up, I’ll be thankful for the experience. Because Karina Holland has fuckin’ turned my life upside down, sideways, and destroyed my careful existence.