Love Me: Teach Me Part 9

"Um, good morning," she said, rolling over to face me.

"Yes, it is." I smiled.

"Today is meet the parents day, right?" She yawned, stretching her hands over her head.

"It is. But, don't seem too happy about it. My parents are..."

"A pain in the a.s.s?"

"Hit the nail on the head. But, it should be fine. They just want to see that I'm doing okay. Now, of course, you can't be a student. You'll have to pretend to be a teacher or something."

She stroked her chin. "Can I be a math teacher?"

"If ya want."

She sat up. "I do. I'm not good at math and pretending I am makes me feel better."

I laughed and pulled her on top of me. "Sorry about last night."

She raised a blonde eyebrow. "Why? I had a lot of fun last night. The couch, the kitchen counter."

"I meant the dance. I know you wanted to go and we kind of got pulled away."

"I didn't really want to go, I had just felt bad for Tyler. I saw Matt there, but he wasn't with Jamie. I haven't seen her since the library."

I kneaded her backside, and watched her. "Matt is stupid, you know that, right? He had a good thing and threw it away."

"He came up to me in Java City begging forgiveness. I told him to get away from me."

"What'd he say?"

"No, but I haven't heard from him since." She climbed off of me and onto the floor. "I'm going to get in the shower. I need to do some homework and I have a few errands to run today. I'll meet you back here at five?"

I nodded, reached over and slapped her a.s.s. "Five it is."

Chapter Fourteen.

Sarah After I took a shower, I met Cody downstairs. He was brus.h.i.+ng through his hair with a tiny comb and picking at his face.

"Stop picking at your face."

"Gotta look good, Sarah. I can't go into town looking any kind of way."

I got into my Jeep and started toward town. "So, after errands where are we going? Wanna go get lunch?"

"Yeah, and I need to go look at Suzi Page 2. I need something to wear tonight that's not too flashy but shows I have cla.s.s. You know I'm a professor now."

Cody held back a laugh. "That's right, dinner with his parents. And sure Ms. Thomas, I'm sure you'd be a great teacher...not. You hate kids."

"Well," I straightened up. "I'm teaching adults not children. Although, most act like children."

Cody nodded. "Oh, what was up with the text last night. What happened at the party?"

I gave him a brief rundown and he covered his face laughing. "You and him seem to be p.r.o.ne to accidents, Sarah. Let's hope you two don't get caught."

"We're going to Monroe to eat. We can't risk eating here. Everyone would know in point two seconds."

"Isn't that the truth."

After we paid a few bills, and ate, we headed to Suzi Page 2. It was a nice, small shop on the square up town. It was the only place in town, besides Stage, to get anything decent to wear. Cody and I walked in and started to take a look around.

"This is cute," Cody said holding up a small dinner dress. It was fitted on the sides, and flared at the waist. It was super cute. He raked through the rack and pulled out a size six. "Here, go try this on."

I changed in the dressing room, then stepped out so Cody could see. He raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You look hot, almost hot enough to kiss, but I don't think I'm there yet."

I laughed and twirled around in the mirror. "I love it. I think that he will--,"

"Love it," someone said from the counter. I glanced over and Ms. Shay was standing behind it. Her brown eyes were narrowed and her hands intertwined on the desk.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out. You've got to be kidding me.

"I work here. I have a little girl, and sometimes teacher salaries aren't enough. Who you going out with tonight? Matt?"

I gritted my teeth. "No, actually, he cheated on me with my best friend. I have a different date tonight. Go ahead and ring this up, I'm getting it."

I walked to the dressing room and stripped. How f.u.c.king nosy can one person be? I wanted to strangle her. Did she not get it? Liam didn't want her. They had been out once. I didn't know what exactly happened on that date, but I was pretty sure nothing. Nada. Maybe that's why she is so bitter.

Cody rapped his fingers against the door and I let him in. "She is a freak," he said, helping me out of my dress.

"Ugh, I know! I want to strangle her. She is always in my business, and she stops by his cla.s.sroom all the time," I whispered, pulling my jeans and s.h.i.+rt back on. "Can you get anymore desperate?"

"She is riding the line," Cody agreed. "Now, let's go so we can get you ready."

I paid for my dress, giving her a wide smile before leaving.

Liam was waiting in my apartment when we got home. Zeus was curled in his lap and Layla sitting beside the futon. "Are you a professional burglar?" Cody asked.

He smiled and motioned for me to join him. "No, but y'all should keep your doors locked. I heard Zeus barking and came to check on him. It was unlocked."

Cody sighed. "I could have sworn I had locked that door. Good Lord, I'm going nuts. I'm heading to change, I have work tonight."

We watched Cody leave and as soon as his door closed Liam looked over at me. "What you got in the bag? Some more lingerie?"

I tapped a finger on his nose. "Wishful thinking. A dress for tonight. I'm getting a little nervous actually."

Liam tipped my chin to look at him. "Don't worry about it. Be yourself. Well, pretend you're a math teacher and be yourself. We met at work, we wanted each other as soon as we saw each other."

I nodded. That was true on my end. "Okay, it's five. So, I guess I'll get ready and meet you where at seven?"

"I'll pick you up. My momma would have my head if I didn't pick you up."

I laughed and nodded. "Okay. See you then."

Liam "f.u.c.k, I'm nervous," I mumbled to myself. I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror. I had a pair of nicer jeans on and a white tank top. I'd have to wear a long sleeved s.h.i.+rt or my mom would have a panic attach, she didn't approve of my tattoos.

"Don't look at me like that, Layla," I said, staring down at her. She was wagging her tail and drooling. I patted her head and pulled on a long sleeved b.u.t.ton down. It was white and looked good against my skin. I had acquired a tan since moving.

My mom had text me saying they would meet us at Walgreen's, since they didn't know where I lived. I tried to explain but she wasn't listening. I locked up and walked toward Sarah's door. I knocked three times and she answered the door. She had a worried expression on her face, but f.u.c.k if she didn't look hot. Her dress was fitted to the waist, then spread out, coming to her mid thigh. Her long legs looked longer with the shoes she had on.

"Do I look okay?" she asked, clutching her purse.

I nodded. "f.u.c.k yes."

"Okay." She nodded.

Offering her my arm, I helped her down the stairs to my truck. I opened the door for her. "Listen, there is no reason to be nervous. They would never be mean to you, it's me they're disappointed in."

She frowned and touched my face. "They're stupid if they are really disappointed in you. You know that, right?"

I nodded. No. "Yes. Now, let's go. Mother gets antsy having to wait."

We drove to Walgreen's and I noticed my parent's SUV quickly. It was perfectly washed. Mom and Dad weren't rich per say, but they had enough to live comfortably. Sarah gripped my hand when I pulled up beside them. Mom got out first. Her dress was over the top for anywhere other than somewhere in New York. Monticello wasn't exactly the Ritz and neither was Monroe. "Liam," she said, smiling an overdone smile. She reached her arms out, taking me into her embrace. She smelled like home. A part of me missed it. Then Dad walked around the side of the car. He still had his hair cut military style, even though he was retired. His gray eyes matched mine, but his serious face didn't.

"Son," he said nonchalantly.

"Dad." Shaking my head, I looked to my left where Sarah was standing. She looked petrified. I grabbed her arm gently. "Mom and Dad this is Sarah. Sarah, this is Mom and Dad."

Mom giggled and offered her a hug. "You're a pretty little thing."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"No, call me Cheryl."

Sarah nodded and looked up at my dad. He offered her a hand and a barely there smile. He could have at least spoke.

"So, where are we going tonight?" Mom asked.

I wrapped an arm around Sarah. "Monroe, it's about an hour from here."

"No," Mom said, shaking her head. "I've been in the car all day and I want out. Let's eat here. Is that okay?"

"No," I said, gritting through my teeth. "There aren't very many places to eat here."

"Son, your mother doesn't want to drive any longer. We're going to eat here. We'll find somewhere. Come on."

Oh, f.u.c.k.

Dad pulled up to the only Italian restaurant in town. Panorama. "Liam what are we going to do? Everyone here knows I'm in college and there are probably students eating or working here. We're going to get caught." Sarah's eyes were wide and I swear I saw tears swell in them. "You can't get fired."

I leaned over and pressed my lips to her. "It's gonna be okay, I promise. If we see someone we'll just play it by ear. Hide behind the menu or something. Go to the bathroom."

"I'm going to seem like I had an upset stomach. Because, there will be people in there that we know."

"Come on." I lead Sarah inside behind my parents. I quickly scanned the room, but didn't see anyone I knew. That didn't mean they didn't know Sarah. I squeezed her hand and walked behind my mom. Pulling the chair out for her, I searched again. We were in the corner, and I hoped no one could see us here.

"Lovely place, for such a small town," Mom said. "Have you eaten here before, Liam?"

I shook my head. "No, not yet." We placed our drink order and made small talk.

We had gotten our appetizers when I finally relaxed. It didn't seem like anyone we knew was going to come in. "So, Sarah," Dad said. "How did you and Liam meet?"

She smiled. "I teach math at UAM and we met through work." She glanced over at me and winked.

Dad snorted. "You approve of him teaching?" He said it like it was a curse word.

She furrowed her brows, and I touched her leg underneath the table. "Yes. We need more teachers in the world. And Liam has...different ways of helping the student's study."

I choked on my bread. "Sorry, wrong hole," I said through a laugh.

Dad narrowed his eyes but dropped the subject. Sarah's leg tapped my s.h.i.+n and traveled up my thigh. I tried not to smile, but it slipped.

"What are you smiling about, Liam?" Mom asked, furrowing her brow. The waitress was sitting our food down and Mom thanked her.

"Nothing, just happy."

"I'll say," Sarah whispered, reaching toward my d.i.c.k. It was ready to go.

"So, Sarah. Do you see yourself being happy with my son?" Dad asked.