Unsolved Equations: A Standalone Teacher Student Romance, page 9
As he handed it to me he continued. "He likes me more than a friend Brookie." He paused as I wrapped the towel around me listening intently. "And I like him too." I threw the shower curtain open and stepped out.
"You’re gay?"
He lowered his gaze to the floor, nodding.
"Landon, does he make you happy?"
"He really does."
"Then who cares? I want to meet him!”
His head popped up and he smiled. "Really?"
"Of course." I winked as I unlocked the door and walked out.
"Thanks for not disowning me or anything."
"I would never disown you." I stopped in my tracks as I noticed a pissed off Chris in my room.
"Mr. Daniels?"
"Chris?"
We both noticed the fuming teacher in my room.
I then realized we walked out of the bathroom together and I was in only a towel.
Chris looked at me with so much betrayal and hate I thought I was going to throw up.
"Chris, it's not what it looks like. I swear." I grabbed his arm.
"What is it then? I came back to grab my phone and you’re in the shower with another guy!" He shook my hand off him.
I felt tears well up in my eyes. “That’s not...”
"That's what I thought." He looked torn.
"What's going on?” Landon asked and paused for a moment. “Oh my god! You’re the Chris!"
"Right." Chris turned to walk out.
I dropped onto the bed, as my knees were too weak to hold me up anymore and let out a strained cry.
"Wait a second." Landon stepped in front of him. "Brooke and I weren't doing anything but talking. I needed to tell her something that I couldn't tell anyone else."
"Why was she in the shower?"
"She was alone? Look, I had to tell her something and I’m going to tell you but don't speak a word of it to anyone."
"I don't care what you have to say."
"I'm gay."
"No, you’re not."
"Yes. I am. My boyfriend's name is Frank, the new guy." Landon narrowed his eyes.
Chris's face relaxed and he glanced over at me. He seemed to be having an internal debate whether to stay or go.
"I'll leave but you shouldn't ever talk to her like that. Wait until you get the whole story next time. Don't worry though, your secret's safe with me." Landon gave me an apologetic smile and went upstairs.
"I'm so sorry."
Chris's eyes held regret in them as he made his way over to me and wrapped me up in his arms. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and I shouldn't have made you cry."
"I thought you were going to leave me." My throat was scratchy from crying.
"I was going to."
"I know." I closed my eyes.
"I promise you this Brooklyn, I will never jump to conclusions so quickly again."
I stuck out my pinky. "Promise?" He wrapped his pinky around mine.
"Pinky promise." He confirmed.
"You scared me." I looked up at him.
"I know baby. I know," he said as I lifted my face towards him and his lips met mine gently.
"COME HERE!" I DID A battle cry as I jumped in the air and crashed on top of Cliff, tumbling to the ground.
"Whoa Brooke, we didn't know we would walk in on that!" he said.
"I don't care you jerk!" I screamed in his face.
"But Brooke!"
I punched him in the gut and jumped up running after another one. I noticed Chad on my left, so I took off after him. I jumped on his back as I started wailing on him, he lost balance. We fell backwards, and he landed on me.
"Oomph!" I let out a cry of surprise.
"Shit Brooke! You okay?" Chad exclaimed, scrambling off me.
"I'm good." I grumbled, sitting up.
"So, I’ve been trying to get you in bed for two years and this Chris guy got you in like five months?"
I took a deep breath, drew back and punched him in the stomach hard. He doubled over in pain and looked up.
"I'm sorry! I was just messing around!"
"You better have been. Douche," I muttered under my breath, walking away.
"Brooke!" I heard from behind me. I rotated around to see Carter getting out of his car at Chris's house.
"Hey Carter." I smiled.
He jogged over and gave me a hug. "Chris wasn't home last night. Did you finally do it?" he whispered in my ear.
"Everything but." I smirked, balling my fist up and sending it into his gut. He fell onto the ground. I looked around. Cliff, Chad, and now Carter were all on the ground in pain.
"Whoops." I shrugged walking away.
"Where are you going?" Mike asked.
"To get ready for a date. It's already four. I leave at five."
"I'll help you get ready!" Maria squealed, pecking Mike on the lips and dragging me into the house.
When we got to my room, we started going through outfits. "So, how was last night?" she asked.
"It was amazing."
"I bet." She laughed.
"What about this?" She held up a black pencil skirt, a white button-up blouse and some black pumps.
"That will work. It looks professional." I grinned, taking the clothes and changing into them.
"What about my hair?" I asked.
"It looks great as is."
My hair was down and looked boring but at least it had volume. "Okay. I'm going to go over there. Distract them?"
"Always." She giggled, heading back upstairs.
I started pacing around my room, my hands interlocked as I went over different scenarios in my head. All of them were worst-case.
"Whoa, you look fancy." Ty came down stairs.
"Thanks," I said, chewing on my bottom lip.
"What's wrong?" he asked, holding my shoulders to make me calm down.
"I'm scared his parents won't like me anymore." I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Who couldn't like you? You'll be fine. Text me if anything happens and I’ll come get you." He pulled me into a hug.
"Thanks Ty." I hugged back.
He pulled away, kissed my forehead and walked out. I shook my head of all the guilt in the pit of my stomach and started off towards Chris's place.
Chapter 13
“S
top stressing out. They already love you." Chris assured me while we were sitting in the car on our way to his parents’ restaurant.
"But how will they react once they realize the girl who dated their younger son has now upgraded to their oldest son that just so happens to be her teacher. I can't help but be a little stressed out." I chewed on my bottom lip.
He arched an eyebrow. "A little? You're clenching the seat, you’re visibly tense, and biting your lip so hard that I think it may bleed."
I stopped mauling my lip and sighed.
“I love you.” He placed a hand on my knee and gave it a squeeze.
"I love you too," I murmured, leaning back in the seat and started fiddling with my hands in my lap.
We sat in silence on the rest of the way, only making my anticipation grow. "We're here." Chris announced as he pulled into a RSVP parking spot.
I groaned. "Let's get this over with." I unbuckled my seat belt like it was a chore to do so.
Chris put his hand on my shoulder to stop me from opening the door. "Brooklyn, if it pains you this much we don't have to go."
"It's not that I don't want to. I really do it's just that I was always with Drake when I was around them. I don't know how they will react. They will probably think I’m a slut."
"Brooklyn, they will not think that. If they say anything out of the way to you, we will leave. I promise."
"Okay." I forced a small smile before stepping out of the car.
We glided into the fancy restaurant and Chris led me to the blocked off area in the far back, I’m assuming it's where we were going to be sitting.
"Chris, over here!" His mother's voice rang.
"Stay calm, they will still love you,” he whispered in my ear.
I could only nod in response.
When we made our way to their table his mother and father seemed surprised.
"Hello Mrs. and Mr. Daniels." I offered a smile.
Mrs. Daniels mouth formed a smile, much to my surprise. "See! I told you she would be my daughter in law one way or another!" She squealed, directed towards her husband as she grabbed my forearms and pulled me into a big hug. "I've missed you darling."
"I've missed you too." I sighed in relief. We got close while Drake and I were together.
"It's nice to see you again Brooke," his dad said.
I gave him a side hug which he returned.
"Well, let's sit down and have a chat." Mrs. Daniels suggested. We all agreed and sat down. Chris held my hand under the table as he gave me an ‘I told you so' smile.
"So, how did you guys meet?" Mr. Daniels asked.
"Funny story." Chris smirked at me.
"He spilled coffee all over me the first day of school." I laughed, recalling the memory.
"You guys met at school, but I thought you were still in high school?" Mrs. Daniels asked, confused. I froze, squeezing Chris's hand a little too tight.
"She is. Brooklyn is my student."
They shared a worried glance.
"Well, everything can't be perfect." His mom finally said.
"I know. Brooklyn here has been so worried about you guys finding out that we're together, but she pulled through and came anyway." He smiled at his parents.
"Brooke, why were you worried?" his dad asked me.
"Because I was with Drake in the past, and now I'm dating your older son and to top it all off he is my teacher. I though you would look down on me."
"Love is weird that way."
"Let’s order then, shall we?" Chris spoke up.
We all ended up ordering the same thing; ribs, a baked potato and cherry coke. It was funny how alike we all were.
We were half way through dinner when Drake decided to make his appearance.
"Well, if it isn't my older brother, my parents and my ex-girlfriend. Having a family dinner without me I see?"
I gritted my teeth in pure annoyance.
"Drake, have a seat." His mom gestured to the seat beside her.
"I don't want to intrude," he said while sitting down with his eyes trained on me. "Brooke, why did you break up with me?"
I started to choke on my drink.
"My dear, are you alright?" Mrs. Daniels asked.
I nodded, catching my breath. "I didn't break up with you. You broke up with me and everyone knows why." I glared at him.
"Oh yeah that is what happened, isn't it? I would have stayed with you if I knew you'd end up looking this gorgeous." He winked.
"Are you kidding me right now?" A wave of anger washed through me.
"No. I'm not. I'm honored to be the one that took your innocence. Thank god I took them up on that bet otherwise I wouldn't have spared you a second glance." His tongue flickered out to wet his bottom lip.
My mouth dropped open and I was too stunned to say anything back.
“Enough Drake. Shut your fucking mouth and leave her alone." Chris was visibly shaking.
"What fun would that be?"
"Is that all I am to you, just a game? Guess what Drake, you win. Game over." I stood up and looked to his parents who had dumbfounded looks on their face. "I apologize for leaving so soon. It was nice seeing you two again." I smiled in their direction before I turned and walked myself out of that place with my head raised high.
Once out of there I almost broke down, but I wasn't going to give him that satisfaction, so I continued to walk to Chris's car.
"Brooklyn, please wait!" Chris shouted from behind me. I turned to face him as he jogged over to me and scooped me up in a bear hug. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea he would be there. He is such an asshole. I'm ashamed that he’s my brother."
I pulled back and looked into his eyes. "Chris, it's not your fault. You didn't know he’d be there.”
"We need to get me home."
"Oh, right." He huffed, unlocking the door. We got into the car and he pulled out.
"I don't really want to be alone tonight." I drummed my fingers on my thighs.
His pouting face turned into a smile. "You want to stay at my place?" He asked, hopeful.
"Yes, if you don’t mind."
He grinned. "Can you text Carter off my phone and tell him to stay at his place tonight?"
"Yep." I replied as I grabbed his phone and texted Carter for him.
Chris: Stay at your house tonight. Brooklyn is staying over.
Almost instantly he called.
"Answer it for me?"
"Why?" I rolled my eyes.
"I'm driving." He rolled his eyes back. “Unless you want me to be distracted and possibly wreck.”
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey Brooke!"
I put the phone on speaker. "What's up?"
"I was just calling to see if you guys were finally going to have sex."
"Man, what did I tell you?" Chris shouted at Carter through the phone.
"To stop asking because it'll happen when Brooke is ready."
"Exactly, so stay at your place." Chris scoffed.
“Fine. Bye!” He hung up.
We stepped out of his car and walked to his front door and he unlocked it. I made my way to his room and started stripping my clothes off.
"I love you stripping and everything but what are you doing?" Chris's husky voice asked from behind me.
I turned around and smiled. "Just getting a big t-shirt from your drawer." I walked over and grabbed one.
I turned around to where he couldn't see my front and unsnapped my bra, letting it fall to the floor without a care. Then I swiftly threw the shirt on and turned around to face him.
"You have got to stop that." He practically growled out, making my insides clench.
"Oh yeah? What if I don't?"
He smirked, scooping me up and throwing me on the bed. He hovered over top of me. "You'll find out soon enough," he whispered before kissing me softly on the lips and flipping over beside me. We laid there for about ten minutes just staring at each other.
What if I wanted to find out now?
“I’m sorry he was there.”
“Don’t apologize for something you cannot control honey. I'm so tired." I yawned.
"Let's sleep then." He pulled the covers up.
"Goodnight, Brooklyn."
"Goodnight Christopher."
He chuckled. "You're going to use my full name now?"
I nodded into his chest and snuggled closer to him.
"Sweet dreams." He whispered before I closed my eyes and drifted into a peaceful slumber.
Chapter 14
“G
ood morning Christopher!" I screamed, waking him up in the process.
He shot up quickly and tumbled off the bed head first. My hands flew to my mouth as I gasped.
"Damnitt Brooklyn, a little warning next time?" He groaned from the floor.
"That was your warning." I grinned.
He got up and glared at me.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. "Come on and get up. I made breakfast!"
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?" he asked, raising his eyebrow.
"I'm just in a good mood, can't you see?" I giggled, skipping off to the kitchen.
I made my way over to the stove and grabbed the pan with the scrambled eggs, scooping some up and putting them on his plate, and then I grabbed some bacon and toast to lay on the plate. I walked over and sat his plate on the table, then grabbed the orange juice in the fridge and poured some in the glass next to the plate.
He strolled in and I felt my breath catch in my throat. I bit my lip as I openly checked him out. His hair was in a tangled mess. His eyes twinkled with curiosity and his sweat pants hung low around his waist.
"Like what you see?" He smirked.
"Definitely." I stepped over to him and wrapping my arms around his neck. "Go eat," I whispered, kissing his lips softly.
He smiled against my lips before going to sit down. "What's got you in such a good mood?"
"Maybe it's the fact that I have the best boyfriend ever, my senior year is almost over, and I got my best friend back." I shrugged. "Oh, and the fact that it's Christmas Eve." I twirled around the kitchen.
"Oh shit. I almost forgot about that. You're going to love your present."
"Good. I like presents."
"You'll love this one." He scooped a forkful of eggs and stuffed them into his mouth.
"I'll be back soon. We're going to go out and do some last-minute Christmas shopping since I forgot about it. I'm going over to my house to get ready." I spoke as I stopped my twirling and caught my balance.
"You can get ready here."
"Do you have curling iron, make-up, and clothes for me? I didn't think so." I squinted my eyes challenging.
"Fine.'' He grumbled, standing up and pulling me into a bone crushing hug. "I love you," he whispered lowly as if saying it for the first time.
"I love you Christopher." I kissed his lips and skipped out the door to my house.
"Where were you?"
"Were you with Chris?"
"Did you use protection?"
"We missed you."
The questioning I was bombarded by was from none other but Georgia and my mom.
"Yes, I stayed over with him. We haven't even had sex so no, and I missed you too."
"Good."
I laughed. "It's nice to have you guys back but I'm going Christmas shopping with Chris, so I have to go get ready." I went downstairs to get dressed.
It didn’t take me long to find an outfit and do my hair, so I went back upstairs.
Mom, Dad, Georgia, Leo, and Ty were lounging on the couch.
"I’m going shopping!”
"Bye! Love you. Have a great time with lover boy!" Georgia and my mom shouted gleefully as I walked out the door grumbling to myself.
I got in the driver’s seat of my baby and honked the horn impatiently at Chris. He came out a few seconds later looking amazing as usual.
He got in the car and smiled. "I've wanted to take this car for a while now."
