Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
The last twenty minutes of the class working time flew by. When Chantal stood and redressed, Saylor addressed the class, providing the model with a distraction. “Hey, everyone! We missed a class period last week. The university doesn’t extend the semester, of course. I wanted to offer everyone an opportunity to get that practice and share more information about perspective. How many of you would be interested in a class on Sunday afternoon at three p.m.?”
All the hands rose. Saylor smiled. The class had eagerly attended each session and participated. She enjoyed teaching dedicated students and would be glad to give up part of a Sunday afternoon to share knowledge with them. “Looks like we have a plan. I’ll see you this weekend.”
“Thanks, Saylor!” several students called as they gathered their things.
“Is Max okay?” Sara called.
“I bet he was deployed,” a male student suggested. “I heard his phone go off.”
“Send safe thoughts to all our soldiers,” Saylor suggested, neither confirming nor denying the suggestion. She didn’t know how secretive she needed to be.
“In my prayers,” Sara answered.
When the room had emptied and Saylor had gathered her things, she slung Max’s backpack over her shoulder and headed out to his truck. Saylor pushed away her discomfort in walking alone in the dark. Lots of students still roamed around campus, putting her slightly at ease. She wasn’t the only one in the parking lot.
When she got to the truck, Saylor quickly slid inside and breathed a sigh of relief. She’d made it. After adjusting all the mirrors, Saylor started the large vehicle. Driving this tank was going to be an experience.
She backed out carefully. Thank goodness for the cameras around the truck to guide her. The vantage point of being higher in the seat helped her see things more clearly. Combining that enhanced view with the room in the cab helped Saylor understand why Max drove a truck. If she didn’t have to park the massive vehicle, she might choose to drive it again.
A blaring honk convinced her not to take the truck out again. She adjusted her steering to make sure she was in her lane and drove home carefully. She definitely didn’t want to get a scratch, or worse.
When she made it home, Saylor parked the truck in the driveway. She’d maneuver the big vehicle in the garage tomorrow. Carrying their things inside the quiet house, Saylor sat down on the couch and allowed herself to cry. She’d held herself together throughout the rest of class and on the way home. Finally alone, she surrendered to her sadness.
The buzzing of her phone made Saylor pull herself together. She wiped away the tears and checked the screen. Could he need a ride home?
Aspen’s name showed on the screen. She clicked the accept button on the video chat. “Hi!”
“Hey! Daddy told me the Littles have to wait until after this weekend to get together so we all get enough rest to recover. Want to come here for a sleepover on Monday?”
Thinking quickly of her schedule, Saylor said, “I have to teach a class Tuesday at ten. Is that too early for everyone? I don’t want to wake everyone up if people like to sleep in.”
“No, that’s fine. Giana wakes up early most mornings. Brooklyn, Pippa, and I won’t mind getting up by eight or nine. Maybe you could leave from here and sleep in a bit?” Aspen suggested.
“Definitely, that’s a good idea. Thank you, Aspen. I needed something to look forward to this week. Do you think they’ll be home by then?”
“Probably not. Keep hoping, though. We might get lucky again.” Aspen looked at Saylor for a moment and asked softly, “Are you okay?”
“No,” Saylor answered honestly. “I miss him so much.”
Aspen nodded slowly. “I miss my daddy too. We all do. We have video calls a lot during their deployments. Usually around seven-thirty because we all have to be in bed at eight. Did Max give you a bedtime?”
“Eight, unless I have an evening class. Then it’s as soon as I can shower and jump in bed.”
“We’ll loop you in on our calls then. Today’s Thursday. Do you have any other evening classes?” Aspen asked.
“Not this semester. Hey, it’s nine now. Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?”
“Shhh! That’s why I’m the only one on the call. Don’t tell on me.”
“Never!” Saylor promised.
“You’re a good friend. Go take a shower and wash those tears away. Think of all the hot sex you’ll have with Max when he gets back.”
“Oh! I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you for calling. You helped me.”
“We’re a team, just like the guys. Sleep well, Saylor.”
“Pet Rexy for me. Dream well!”
Saylor stared at the blank screen. She didn’t understand why Aspen’s phone call had helped so much, but she didn’t feel alone now. And Monday, they could have another sleepover. She realized they could have another sleepover any time. The guys were gone and wouldn’t know. But that felt so wrong. She wanted to be good for Max.