Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 146(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
I grin at the picture Addison sent me this afternoon. Her flowerbed is already showing new growth. It’s cute how excited she is.
Me: Excellent work. Now you can come do mine.
I’m teasing because I live in an apartment and don’t actually have a flowerbed, but she wastes no time jumping on it.
Good Girl: Tell me where you live and I’ll be there ASAP.
As much as I ache to see her again, I know it’s a bad idea. If Addison comes to my place, I’ll sleep with her. I know it. There’s no amount of deluding myself otherwise. I’m extremely attracted to her and we have a connection. Being alone together would only give us the access we need.
Me: You and I both know it’s a bad idea.
Good Girl: Why can’t this just be like Greenhouse Club? What happens in Greenhouse Club stays in Greenhouse Club?
Me: You’re used to getting your way, huh?
Good Girl: Yup.
“I need to go home,” I blurt out to my sister.
She glares at me from the other side of her garage. We’re in the middle of decluttering the whole damn thing.
“Absolutely not. You committed to helping me and we’re seeing it through to the end.” Then, her eyes narrow, and she starts to smile. “Wait a minute. Are you seeing someone?” She shrieks. “Oh my God, you are!”
I groan and pocket my phone for a minute in case my sister gets too close. “It’s not like that.”
“Do you think she’s hot? Is she nice? Do you like her?”
A stupid, dopey grin stretches across my face.
“You do! Theo! Why didn’t you tell me?” My sister punches me in the chest like I’ve been withholding information on her. I mean, technically, I have, but it’s for good reason. It’s not exactly a relationship anyone would approve of.
“Tell me about her, dummy,” she says in exasperation. “I’ve been dying for you to get back out there again. Mary Ellen really did a number on your self-esteem.”
I grimace at the mention of my ex-wife. “That’s an understatement.”
“Tell me about her,” she says with a whine. “I need to know everything.”
It would be stupid to tell Penny about Addison, but now that she knows I’m all up in arms about someone, I feel like I have to give her something. My sister is too perceptive to play it off like it’s nothing.
“Well,” I say with a shrug, “she’s gorgeous. Like super fucking beautiful.”
Penny beams at me. “What color hair? Tell me more!”
“Long blond hair, sweet smile, pretty blue eyes.” I sigh and close my eyes. “She’s more than just her looks, though. Thoughtful, gentle, caring. She actually hangs on my every word. Makes me feel valued instead of a loser like Mary Ellen always did.”
Penny jumps up and down giggling. “I love her already!”
This makes my chest squeeze with emotion. She hated my ex-wife from the get-go but put on a fake smile for my sake. Sure, she doesn’t know Addison, but the fact she already loves her makes me happy.
“What’s her name?” Penny demands. “Ooh, you should bring her over for dinner!”
My stomach twists at that thought. “Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why the hell not?”
Because she’s young. Very young. Oh, and she’s my student.
“It’s still new,” I lie.
It’s not anything because it can’t be. We’re playing a very dangerous game, and truth be told, it can’t go any further.
“Bull crap. Bring her over.”
Before I can argue, I’m saved by one of the kids crying. It involves parental intervention and Uncle Theo treating everyone to ice cream after.
When I finally make it home later, I shoot Addison a text.
Me: Sorry. Just got back from my sister’s. It’s late. See you Monday?
Good Girl: Ouch.
I feel like a total asshole.
Me: Fuck. This is just hard. Reality is eye-opening, you know?
Good Girl: I get it.
Me: Do you? I really, really don’t want to hurt you.
Good Girl: I think it’s too late for that, Theo.
She sends me the saddest fucking picture I’ve ever seen. It’s her, sweet, with a face free of makeup, with red, teary eyes.
Fucking hell.
I don’t waste another second and call her.
She’s been hurt too many times. I can’t be just another person on that very long list.
“Hey, beautiful.”
She sniffles. “Hey.”
I’m so fucked. I can’t quit this girl. I don’t know that I can. I certainly don’t want to.
Chapter 9
Addison
My head is in the clouds.
I didn’t get to see Theo again, because he’s keeping his distance, but we talked the rest of the weekend. It’s nice getting to know him. When he told me he hasn’t always been a teacher, but used to be an accountant, I found that ridiculously entertaining. We both laughed when I called him a nerd.
I’m eager to get to my first class this morning so I can see his handsome face. It’s crazy to think we made each other come in his truck. I wanted so badly to kiss him deeply and to give my virginity to him.