Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56893 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“What did my brother do that has you making a house-call?” he asked, his voice and stiff demeanor no longer as welcoming as it had been earlier.
“It’s more like a work-call,” she said, lifting her lips in a smile that wasn’t returned. Knowing her joke fell flat, she cleared her throat. “You’re aware your brother is struggling in school but he failed his last English test. His teacher is willing to let him retake it before final grades are turned in so he has the opportunity to pass for the year. He failed to show up during lunch today for the test.”
Although Hadley shouldn’t eavesdrop, she couldn’t help but overhear.
“Dammit.” Maddox ran a hand through his hair and began pacing behind the bar.
“Joe promised he’d retake the test and tell you. He’s done neither. I have a soft spot for struggling students and Joe is a good kid. I convinced his teacher to give him one more opportunity next week. That gives him study time. I was hoping if you spoke to him…”
“He’ll be there. And he’ll study ahead of time. Please email me the day, time and place. I’ll walk him in myself.”
Ms. Connelly nodded. “I knew you’d say that. You’ve been doing the best you can since he’s come to live with you and he’s lucky to have an older sibling who cares.” She stood. “Thank you for your time,” she said, and walked away.
Every word the woman spoke had resonated with Hadley and as an educator, she couldn’t help but respond to Maddox’s frustrated look and the caring woman who’d stopped by.
“Maddox?”
He turned to face her, a muscle throbbing in his temple. “I didn’t intend to listen, but I couldn’t help but overhear. If you don’t mind me asking, how old is your brother?”
“Seventeen. My brother got in with the wrong crowd and I said he could finish his senior year here. I figured with him away from the kids causing trouble, he’d get his act together but it’s been rough.”
She nodded in understanding. “It just so happens I’m an English teacher. I could tutor him this week before his test. I mean, if you want me to.”
He blinked, light coming back into his eyes. “Hell, yes. Are you sure?”
“I need something to do. I’m here… visiting Zach but I want to keep busy.” She didn’t see any reason to bring this man into her drama.
“I can’t thank you enough. He gets out at 3:05 and I can have him here by 3:30. It’s pretty quiet at this hour. Would you be able to work with him at a corner table? This way I know he shows up and you aren’t wasting time waiting for him.”
“What’s going on?” Zach asked, coming up behind Hadley and putting a hand on her shoulder. Her skin tingled where his calloused hand touched.
She tipped her head back, looking up at him for a brief moment before he stepped beside her.
“Joe’s counselor came by to let me know not only is he in danger of failing English but he bailed on a chance to retake a test that would fix things,” Maddox muttered. He ran a frustrated hand through his dark hair.
“I offered to tutor him for the next week,” she said to Zach.
“As long as you don’t mind giving up a corner table for them?” Maddox asked.
Zach nodded. “That’s no problem.” He looked at Hadley. “You don’t mind?”
She shook her head. “I would love to do it.”
“Thank you.” The relief in Maddox’s tone was evident. “When I offered to let him come live with me, I thought he’d get his shit together, not deliberately screw up.”
Hadley met his gaze. “Don’t feel bad. It’s the age. He’ll keep testing you, but boundaries and rules aren’t a bad thing. It shows him you care.”
“Yeah.” He blew out a rough breath. “And whatever you charge for tutoring is fine.”
Hadley smiled. “It works well for me, too. I need to make spare cash,” she said pointedly.
Meeting her gaze, Maddox winked. “Works for me.”
“We should get going,” Zach said, his hand immediately landing on her shoulder again.
She liked the feel of his possessive touch too much.
“What about my shopping bags?”
He helped her up from her seat. “I already had them put in my trunk.”
She ought to be annoyed with his possessiveness but a part of her liked the fact that he could be jealous. Knowing she could affect him after all these years meant something to her. She knew a long-term relationship wasn’t possible but could she lay out parameters so they both knew what to expect? Could she be with him knowing the end would come? If she didn’t, she would live with even more regrets.
With that in mind, she stood and followed him out of the bar.
* * *
Hadley was quiet on the way home but Zach didn’t need conversation. He had plenty on his mind. All that talk about tutoring brought up memories of meeting her for the first time. They’d been in the school library where he’d been sent to tutor her. Friendship came first, then a summer passed, and she’d returned to school with longer hair, fuller breasts and killer curves. He’d really noticed her then. Turned out she’d already had a crush on him and everything between them changed.