“It’s really not that bad, is it?”
“You need to get laid, big brother.” Hearing my sister tell me to get my dick wet was the strangest thing in the world.
“Don’t be gross.”
She shrugged. “Just stating facts, man. It’s been more than ten years since Allie, and I feel like you’re turning into a priest or something.”
It wasn’t like I didn’t have a conquest or two from time to time, but I kept them as far away from my family life as possible. I didn’t want someone else messing up the wonderful dynamic we had together. It was too risky.
“Far from it, sis.” I grabbed my cut and keys before turning to Piper. “Thank you, though. Sometimes I need a little push.”
“You don’t have to tell me, Maccon. Now get goin’.” She shooed me away as I walked out the door.
Chapter 7
Kinsley
The last bell of the day finally rang, and all my fifth graders jumped up out of their desks.
“It was so wonderful getting to meet all of you today. Great first day.” I shoved my laptop into its bag before instructing the kids to get into a single-file line to walk to the car pick-up area and the buses.
As their excited faces greeted their parents one by one, I couldn’t help but cherish how much I loved my job.
I’d never thought teaching was my true calling. I’d gotten an education degree because it seemed easy and I was good with kids, but it had turned into a welcomed passion I was grateful for.
“We made it through day one!” Mrs. Day smiled over at me after shutting the car door behind the last child to be picked up.
I beamed over at her while digging my keys out from the bottom of my purse. “That we did.”
“Have any plans tonight?” she asked as we made our way to the staff parking lot on the other side of the administration office.
“A stiff drink is definitely what the doctor ordered for this evening,” I replied quickly.
“Amen to that. See you bright and early tomorrow.”
I waved goodbye to my friend before making the short drive to my house to change. The pencil skirts and nice blouses were the only part of my job that just didn’t fit. I was more of a worn-out jeans and T-shirt kind of gal, but dressing the part was a pill I didn’t mind swallowing too much.
As I wiggled out of my gray skirt, my phone vibrated with a text from my on-again, off-again douchebag. I had no idea why I still entertained Elijah’s booty calls, but there was something about him that made me weak.
It had been a couple of weeks since I had kicked him out of my apartment the last time, and like clockwork, he was trying to sneak his way back into my good graces.
Elijah: Hey beautiful. Drinks tonight at Red Crow?
I rolled my eyes as I read the message. He knew it was the first day of school and I would be making my way to my normal watering hole.
Me: I was just about to head that way.
Elijah: See you there in a bit, sweetheart.
I knew I should just find a new bar and block his number, but I didn’t. I was a moth, he was the flame—the oldest story in the fucking book. It was just a matter of time until I got burned yet again.
I threw on my favorite pair of Wranglers and an old Led Zeppelin shirt before glancing in the mirror. My makeup was still good from the morning, and the curls in my long hair were still holding up nicely. After a quick dousing with hairspray, I was out the door to make yet another bad decision.
Making my way to my typical spot in the back of the bar, I greeted the bubbly bartender.
“What’re you having?” she asked, throwing a white paper napkin down in front of me.
“Jameson and ginger,” I replied.