Page 18 of Her Forbidden Teacher

I nearly drop the bar full of weights. Thankfully, Everett guides the bar back to its resting place instead of on my face.

“What?” I ask as I sit up, swiping my towel over my face.

“Just an observation. That girl stares at you a lot.”

I bristle at Everett’s words. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”

He snorts. “Listen. I’m not one to insert myself into another person’s business, but I’m also not blind. That new girl, Monahan, always has her eyes on you whenever you two are in the same vicinity.”

Refusing to meet his gaze for fear of giving my thoughts away, I motion for the bench. “Your turn. I’ll spot you. Where is Adam today anyway?”

“Wife is pregnant. Doctor’s appointment. Just us today.”

The mention of a pregnant wife makes me think of my ex. Mary Ellen is relentless. She keeps calling over and fucking over again. I ignore every call.

“Just be careful,” Everett warns as he easily lifts the weights I was just struggling with. “I’ve heard some things going around about her. Don’t want you getting yourself mixed up in more drama. I know you’re evading it with your ex-wife.”

Though I know his words are true and caring in nature, I can’t help but fixate on the rumor part.

“You know better than to believe these kids around here. They gossip,” I grumble. “Most of them are just dicks.”

He barks out a laugh and then hisses as he pushes through a few more reps. Once he replaces the bar where it goes, he sits up and shakes his head. “No argument there. I man the detention room, remember? I know all the dicks at this school.” He rises to his feet and then turns to look at me. “I also know Addison Monahan didn’t leave her cushy private school to come to Brown High her senior year just for the fun of it. There may be some truth in those rumors, and if they are, I worry for you.”

I grit my teeth and make my way over to a bicep curl machine. “I can handle myself.”

“Touchy,” Everett remarks as he comes to stand beside me. He chugs from his water bottle. “But that shitty attitude tells me I’m onto something. All I’m saying is to be careful. The last thing you need is your ex getting wind that you’re friendly with a girl who got expelled for sending nudes to her teacher.”

My blood burns hot and I glower at him. “She didn’t send him nudes. Someone framed her.”

Everett gives me a pitying look and I hate it. “Whatever you say, man.”

“Did Adam tell you all this?”

“He didn’t have to,” Everett states with a shrug. “Shit gets around in this town. Trust me. I’ve been there.”

Doubtful. What does the great, grouchy Coach Long have in common with the likes of me? I’m lusting over a student for fuck’s sake.

“I’m being careful,” I say with a groan. “Happy? Can we drop it now?”

He nods. “Consider it dropped.” His lips curl into an evil, wolfish grin. “Now give me ten more reps. You don’t get jacked like me with the bare minimum.”

Fuck my life.

I’m sore as hell but feeling good physically. Plus, I’m perking up because I’ll get to see Addison again today. It took everything in me not to text her last night.

What am I even doing with her?

I should put the boundaries back up. Tell her we can’t be so friendly.

The imagined look of hurt on her face kills me. People have let her down too much lately. I refuse to be one of them. I can keep my dick in my pants and be the friend she needs.

Surely.

“Teacher fucker.”

Duke, the big ass jock who put his hands on Addison, cracks up laughing. He’s clearly the mouth behind the awful words. I ignore him, searching the crowded morning hallway to look for her.

And then, like an angel parting the sea, people move aside as Addison walks through. Her silky blond hair is perfectly straight today, hanging down in front of her shoulders. She’s wearing some sort of outfit that looks a little complicated to put on. I try to remember what they’re called.