Page 139 of Burning Skies
I clear my throat as I think of how to tactfully say this. “The last time I saw Mel for asocial engagementwas late August.”
Trig’s nostrils flare. “Me too.”
Damn. I break out my phone to figure out the dates.
He started sleeping with her the day after I broke things off.
There’s a chance he’s the father.
And that I’m not.
I fucking smile. I’ll take those odds.
I nudge Honey. “Let’s get out of here. That picnic is calling your name.”
She hugs Trig. “I’m sorry you’re getting the news like this.”
I slap his shoulder. “What she said.”
“Fuck off,” he grumbles, but without any heat.
Then Honey turns to her father. “You’ve broken my heart, Dad. I don’t know that I’ll ever forgive you for this.”
His steely demeanor falters for a brief moment, but then he reaches for that bottle. “You’ll come to your senses when your boyfriend’s cabin is falling down around your ears.”
She sniffles. “I’ll always love you. I just can’t stand the man you’ve become.” With that, she turns on her heel. I follow her out.
When we make it out to my truck, I pull her into my arms. “Love you, princess. That was a brave thing to do.”
Cuddling close, she sighs. “I’m not going to let him pull my strings anymore. If he doesn’t want to give me that trust fund, so be it.” Turning her head up, she smiles. “Are you okay dating a broke English teacher?”
“Yup.” I kiss her.
Kinda hoping I’m gonna marry this broke English teacher.
54
HONEY
Leaning against my desk,I motion to my class. “So what’s your biggest takeaway fromRomeo and Juliet?” Today is my first day back at school. It’s been a week since the accident, but with the holiday break coming up, I wanted to get back to work.
“That teens are dumb,” Emilio says.
I chuckle. “Possibly, but adults do dumb things too. Think of the adults who helped Romeo and Juliet run off to get married.”
“The Friar and the Nun.”
“Exactly. What could have prevented the tragic outcome? Aside from the Friar and Nun not helping them?”
My students consider my question, and Nora Jean raises her hand. “If their parents hadn’t been so angry at the other family.”
“Right. What else?”
“If Juliet’s dad hadn’t been trying so hard to marry her to someone she didn’t love, maybe she wouldn’t have been as eager to marry Romeo.”
“Another good answer.”
The bell rings, and I shout, “Don’t forget your review packet for the final exam next week!”
