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“Uh, nothing really.”
Hmm. Right.
“Nothing at all?”
He shrugs at me and then climbs in, leaning his head back against the seat. My son is exhausted, but why? I’m fuming as I make my way silently to the driver’s seat. I’ll be late for work by the time I check him in, but I’m sure Melody will be fine to wait for ten minutes.
“I don’t like him.” Connor’s voice is small as I turn left on the neighborhood street.
“Who?”
“Richard.”
My stomach knots up at the answer. “Why?”
“I don’t know. He always has people over, talking business, and heneverwants to talk to me. I just sit there in my room while they do whatever with all their guests.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “And they stay upsolate. I couldn’t sleep over the stupid music.” Connor turns to me, his eyes pleading. “Can’t I just stay with you on school nights? I’m so tired, Dad. I don’t wanna be late for school either.”
“I...” I don’t even know what to tell him. “I’ll see what I can do. I’ll try to talk to your mo—”
“She’s gonna say no!” He throws his hands up. “She always acts like she wants to hang out with me, but it’s all just a stupid show! She doesn’t hardly even talk to me while I’m at her house. I don’t want to be there anymore!”
I reach out, placing my hand gently on his shoulder. “Son, I know how frustrating it is for you, and I’m mad at her for you. I’ll see what I can do. But there’s an agreement in the court system—”
“Screw the courts!” Connor pulls away from me. “I don’t care what they think.”
“Watch how you’re speaking,” I scold, though my tone stays soft. “I’ll call Greg today, okay? And then I’ll talk to your mom.”
“Fine,” he mumbles, shaking his head. “Whatever.”
I run my fingers along my freshly trimmed beard.
What a fucking mess.
“Dr. Banks, you’re here!” Melody jumps from her seat, her eyes wide with concern. “Is everything okay? You’re never late.”
I blink a few times, surprised by the greeting. “Um, yes. I’m only twenty minutes late.” Turns out, getting Connor checked into the school took longer than I expected.
I slide past her, trying not to take in the sight of her dark wash jeans hugging her perky ass.
I never notice my students in that way.
But clearly, Melody is different.
“You’re never late.”
“Well, things happen.” I refuse to look up at her.
I’m being too harsh, but this morning has fucked with my head more than I want to admit.
I don’t want my son staying somewhere he doesn’t want to, but I also know the battle that his mother will put up if I say anything to her.
I unload my things onto the desk, thankful that all the classes I have today are in the afternoon. There’s no way I’d be ready to walk into a classroom in this state. Hell, I might just dismiss them all today anyway.
A hand on my forearm catches me off guard, and I whip my head to see Melodyrightthere, her jasmine perfume jabbing me right in the lungs.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Her voice is soft and her touch unmoving as her emerald eyes search mine. “You really seem off this morning. Did something happen?”
Why the fuck does she even care?
