Truth be told, I don’t like it when people try to get in my way.
Braydon’s standing next to the bike with his helmet on and his backpack on his back. “I’m sorry, dad.”
“You can fuck off now, Carla,” I inform her before turning my attention to Braydon. “You get excited to see me? You come runnin’ for me. I don’t give a shit about Carla. Did you eat?”
That’s something I got in the habit of asking every time I pick him up. A few times they never fed him and he went to bed hungry. My son doesn’t deserve that bull shit and I’m not going to allow it on my watch.
“Yeah, I had a hot dog. Carla said she didn’t have any money to buy anything else.”
My hackles start to rise. How could Trina drop Braydon off here? She should have known this bitch wasn’t right for our son. I could kill her.
I’ve had dreams about tearing Trina apart with my teeth. I have had many dreams about spitting her body out and setting her on fire. The woman doesn’t deserve to have a son this great.
“All right. We’ll get you something to eat. First, we have to go to your school and see your teacher.”
Braydon’s face lights up about seeing his teacher. “I can’t wait for you to meet Ms. Burns! She’s really pretty.”
I place my hand on top of his helmet to give his head a shake. “Boy, you’re gettin’ to that age, aren’t you?”
He chuckles. “She’s really pretty, dad!”
219
Dana
I stare at the face of my watch. I have been staring at the face to will the time to slow down. Every minute that passes, is another minute Braydon and his family isn’t here.
Jesus! We’re going on forty-five minutes late and not one sign of them.
Why is it so hard for parents to care about their children’s education? I twirl my hair around my finger and debate if I should leave or not.
If you leave and they come, you will feel like an asshole. But, if you stay, how much longer do you have to stay?
“Dana, how much longer are you going to wait?” Brenna, my colleague, asks from the door. Her long brown hair flows behind her head.
I would hate her if she wasn’t so nice. Being a natural blonde, my hair could never be as thick as hers.
I look at the watch one more time. “I guess now is as good’ve time as any to get out of here.”
I start packing up my desk to leave when I hear the thundering footsteps of a little kid and a grown adult. My eyes narrow and look at Brenna.
“Dude, he’s hot,” she whispers to me.
I roll my eyes. The woman is a little too hot in the pants for me. The last thing I want to do is date anyone from this stupid town. Everyone here knows who my dad is and I feel like they are a bunch of spies watching me.
“Girl, he has one of your students,” she whispers and moves out of the way.
In place of her body darkening my doorway, in the place of her little body is a muscular guy who screams danger. I’m standing up behind my desk to get a better look at the man standing there so unapologetically until I hear the voice of Braydon.
Braydon has always been my favorite student. I know we’re not supposed to have favorites, but he’s the sweetest little boy ever who loves his dad.
“Is this your classroom, bud?” The man at the door asks Braydon.
His deep tender voice is enough to make me melt into my seat. Holy shit!
“Yeah! This is where Ms. Burns is at! She’s going to be mad we’re late.”
I giggle at how concerned he is. This boy has the biggest heart out of all of my students.
“I’m not mad. But you are late,” I clear the air.
Walking around the desk, I smooth out my dress slacks that suddenly feel as if they are a paper sack on me. Why didn’t I dress up a little today? I could have worn something a little snazzier instead of dress pants and a boring button-down shirt.
The man looks me up and down and his eyes darken from something I’m not sure of. The way they turn colors and narrow on me is enough to make me want to lay on my desk and beg him to touch me all over.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“I’m Ms. Burns. And you are?” I ask.
He holds out his hand for me to grab. His big ass hand engulfs my little hand causing me to swoon a little. The outside of his knuckles are bruised a little and look dirty from working outside of the home.
His hair is shaved close to his skull with visible tattoos for all to see. His tight leather vest is straining against his muscles of his chest and shoulders. I’m looking greedily over him until my eyes land on his chest. The patch in the middle of his vest draws my attention.
A memory I have suppressed for all of these years is threatening to unravel itself.
I shake my head in an effort to clear my mind. I can’t be thinking about something that has happened so long ago. It doesn’t have a place in my life now to even be thinking about.
“The name is Axl. I’m Braydon’s dad.”
The way his lips caress the words that are coming out of his mouth, has me swooning even more.
When was the last time I have gotten laid? Has it been that long that I’m entertaining the idea to strip out of my clothing for him to make love to me?
His lips curve into a small smile as if he can read my mind. What the hell is up with that?
“Nice to meet you,” I squeak out trying to pull my hand back from his grasp. The longer
