“Sorry to interrupt. This is our Orchard Classic Cider.” As he hands them out around the table, he says, “It’s our most popular, as well as my favorite.” He folds his arms in front of him as we sample it. “You should be able to taste notes of pineapple, honey, and tart apple.”
Quinn takes a small sip, her eyes on Liam. “I kind of love it. Refreshing.”
Liam inclines his head with a wink. “I’m glad you approve.” He looks around the table as he backs away. “I’ll let you get back to your conversation.”
We thank Liam, and as soon as he’s out of earshot, Sophia turns with her mouth hanging open to Quinn and pokes her. “What was with that look you gave him?”
“He’d do nicely.” She glances around our circle as she hands off the rest of her cider to Sophia. “What? Girls, my lady parts haven’t seen a man in so long, they are as dry and dusty as the Sahara. I swear there are cobwebs in there. I wouldn’t mind if he gave me a hand in rectifying that situation.” She shrugs and gives us all a theatrical wink.
Zoey snorts a little, and the girls dissolve into giggles. I’m relieved that attention appears to have shifted from me to Quinn. As far as I’m concerned, it can stay there.
No such luck. It’s not even ten seconds later when Piper snaps her attention right back on me. “So, what were you going to tell us, Had? And what's up with your lack of lewd jokes and bawdy comments?” She takes a sip from her bottle and eyes me carefully.
Suddenly, I have the urge to go ahead and tell them everything. As I look around the group, I know I can trust every single one of these women. My pulse kicks into high gear and my palms sweat. “I feel like I need that sign that’s in your office, Zoey.”
Zoey looks confused for a second while Piper glances at her and wrinkles her nose. “The one I gave her for the Secret Santa exchange, you mean? About it being a safe place to spill the tea?”
I grit my teeth together, nodding. “Yeah, that’s the one.”
Madison’s eyes widen. “Does this have to do with Sawyer?”
“Yes and no. I mean, at this point, I just want to air out all of my dirty laundry because I’m tired of trying to deal with it all on my own. I’m not handling it very well.”
Sophia reaches for my hand. “We could tell you’ve been having a hard time lately. You haven’t really been yourself.”
I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “So, things have progressed a lot further with Sawyer.” I glance up at them and wince. “I know you said it was a bad idea, but I slept with him.”
Madison looks at me funny. “Well, we kind of all figured that from that night when he dragged you away to talk and then you left together. And, um, Piper and I may have filled everyone else in about that.”
Questions shoot from Sophia, “Just the once, or …?” and Zoey, “Wasn’t it any good? What’s wrong?” at the same time.
“Twice that night after we were at the bar. The next morning, later that day … and several times since. And, yes, it’s better than good—that’s not the issue. Sawyer knows what he’s doing. The only thing wrong with the sex is that little problem of him being my student teacher.”
“Damn girl.” Quinn lets out a low whistle. “I’m not jealous at all. Of the sex or the other stuff, just to clarify.”
Madison snorts and gives Quinn a little shove. “You are so jealous of the sex.”
Piper, clearly the one keeping us on track tonight, looks me right in the eye. “I’d say it’s about time. I’m the only one of us who sees you two interact with each other on a daily basis, and I see two people who are very right for each other, despite the difficult circumstances surrounding it.”
“Well, that’s actually good to hear.” Sophia smiles. “Are you okay?”
“I—that’s kind of a loaded question.” I bite my lip, casting my eyes down.
Zoey frowns. “Spill the tea, sis. It’s okay.”
Quinn taps my foot under the table. “No judgment zone.”
“Okay. The problem is with Ed.”
Madison stops with her bottle halfway to her lips, her brows drawing together in confusion. “But I thought you were done with him.”
“That’s the problem. I keep telling him I don’t want to see him anymore, don’t want to date him, don’t want anything to do with him, but he can’t seem to get it through his thick skull.”
Sophia rolls her eyes, and I swear they almost make it up to the decorative wood beams of the ceiling. “He’s an ass. Maybe we all need to go have a chat with him.”
I shake my head quickly. “No. You can’t. I mean, I don’t want you to. Um. So, here’s the thing. Two things, actually. First, he suspects that Sawyer and I are together, and he’s threatening to tell the administration about it. You know, exactly why you all thought maybe this was a bad idea in the first place. He’s so pissed I’m with Sawyer that he’s threatening my job over it.”
As I look around, I take in the shock on everyone’s faces.
“That … that … that … douche canoe!” Piper’s eyes flare wide as she slaps her hands over her mouth.
Quinn catches Liam’s eye from across the room, and signals that we need another round. “I think you all should go another round or two.”
I couldn’t agree more, but I also know that it gets even worse from here. There’s an excellent chance that by the time I’m done explaining everything, I’m going to need to tap one of the hard cider barrels and just drink right from the spigot.
Everyone has been talking around
