by Sara Ney
The Teaching Hours
Sara Ney
The Teaching Hours
Copyright © 2020 by Sara Ney
Editing by Caitlyn Nelson (Editing by C Marie)
Cover Design by RBA Designs
Formatting by AB Formatting
All rights reserved.
This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the authors.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
License Notes
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Contents
Prologue
1. Rex
2. Hannah
3. Rex
4. Hannah
5. Rex
6. Hannah
About the Author
Other Titles by Sara Ney
Prologue
Hannah
My roommate Skylar and her boyfriend Abe make me ill.
Oh calm down, I’m just being dramatic. They don’t actually make me sick in a vomit inducing, I’m going to puke kind of a way. Just…the kind of ill fueled by jealously. The kind of ill that makes me want the same thing for myself. A jealous, I want that, kind of feeling in the pit of my stomach when they’re around the apartment.
I want what they have.
It’s too damn bad I act like such an asshole half of the time.
Guys hate that.
They want sweet. Biddable. Sexy.
They want someone to adore them.
That’s not me; I am none of those things.
Fiddling with my phone, I tap open the LoveU app—the on-campus date finder for students. LoveU is the way my best friend met her boyfriend and how I like to pass time when I’m bored. I don’t like to take it too seriously; I’ve seen some of the guys my friends have matched with and have only been impressed with one.
But, it passes the time when I’m bored, and I’m bored now.
I swipe and swipe and swipe left, deleting profile after profile.
It’s not my first experience with the app; I’ve been on a few dates lately with guys I’ve matched with. But I haven’t had any luck, obviously—my mouth and sassy attitude get me in trouble and very few second dates.
Rex Gunderson:
Yo yo yo ladies, I’m an alum, back in town for the next few semesters pitching in at the athletic building and wouldn’t mind your company. A few things about me: fun-cle to a baby girl (she’s not actually my niece, but who cares). Hilarious. Big boy job. Has my own place. Loves fancy shit, but prefer to do them in my sweats or pajama’s.
You: are legal and over the age of 18.
The yo, yo, yo catches my eye. But the rest of it? All this guy is looking for is someone over the age of eighteen? I let out a huff.
“Have some standards, dude, even if you’re just looking for a hook-up.” I shake my head in disgust, muttering out loud to myself, a habit I’m unable to break.
Still.
I give him a second glace, studying his pictures. He is kind of attractive…in a skinny, dorky guy kind of way.
I bite down on my bottom lip and swipe, knowing I’ll probably regret it later. Shoot him a message because there is nothing worse than waiting for a guy to make the first move.
Me: You love fancy shit, huh? What kind are you talking about here…? Inquiring minds want to know.
RexG: You know, the usual. Dinner, bars. Play a round of golf or two.
Me: In your sweat pants?
RexG: No, I wear real pants for that.
Me: Khakis?
RexG: No one wears khakis anymore.
Me: Sure they do, I saw some yesterday.
RexG: Who was wearing them?
Me: My Lit professor.
RexG: I rest my case.
Me: So, I’m just going to come out and ask or it’s going to drive me insane.
RexG: Go for it.
Me: What are you doing on this app if you’re an “alum”.
RexG: Why is “alum” in quotes? “Alums” can’t be on here?
Me: I guess if you are desperate…Aren’t you a little old to be fishing in the school kiddie pond?
RexG: I barely just graduated. Why you gotta be like that?
Me: I had to get it off my chest.
RexG: I was checking out your chest earlier. Very impressive.
Me: Uh, gross. Stop, don’t even go there.
RexG: Uh, why?
Me: You can’t just say things like that. It’s douchey.
RexG: Funny you should mention that. I never said I was a gentleman.
Me: You look like one. Kind of?
Me: Actually you look like a huge dork.
RexG: How about you just kick me in the nuts and get it over with.
RexG: And FOR THE RECORD I’m not photogenic and am WAY BETTER LOOKING IN PERSON.
Me: Says who?
RexG: MY FUCKING MOTHER, Jesus lady.
Me: Shit, I’m sorry. I have no filter—I wasn’t trying to be a bitch.
RexG: Whatever, it’s fine.
Me: I suppose you’re going to unmatch me now?
RexG: Why would I do that?
Me: Because I’m being an asshole—WHY WOULDN’T YOU UNMATCH ME?
RexG: First of all, why are you yelling?
Me: Have some standards. All you have in your profile is that you’re looking for someone over the age of 18. WTH.
RexG: Age ain’t nothin’ but a numba.
Me: So…what are you actually doing here if you’re not a student? Are you a TA?
RexG: No, I’m helping out with the athletics department. Mostly with the wrestling team. I used to be their manager.
Me: My roommate’s boyfriend is a wrestler. Maybe you know him?
RexG: What’s his name?
Me: Abe Davis.
RexG: He was a freshman I think the year I left the team. Don’t know him that well. He decent?
Me: He’s awesome.
RexG: Cool.
Me: So you’re on campus for how long?
RexG: Rest of this semester, summer, first term of fall.
Me: And you’re looking to hook-up with someone?
RexG: Sure. If that’s what you want.
Me: It’s not.
RexG: Okay.
Me: That’s it? Okay? You’re not going to try and change my mind?
RexG: Do you want me to?
Me: Uh, NO.
RexG: LOL then I won’t.
Me: It’s really shitty that you’re just here looking to get laid. Some of us are looking for the real deal.
RexG: I never said all I wanted was an easy lay. You did.
Me: Well, COME ON. Let’s get real here. You won’t even be here the entire year.
RexG: Says you’re a junior. You won’t be here long either.
Me: But I’m here NOW.
RexG: So am I.
Me: Is this an athlete thing? Are you all just douchebags who sleep around?
RexG: I don’t know, is that how Abe Davis acts?
Me: No.
RexG: Wanna throw some sweats on tomorrow and meet me for coffee?
Me: How early?
RexG: Whatever works for you.
Me: How tired do you want me to look?
RexG: How will you look at 9?
Me: Horrible.
RexG: LOL
Me: Why the hell are we even talking about this, I DON’T WANT TO MEET YOU.
RexG: That’s fine.
Me: Stop doing that.
RexG: What am I doing wrong? I’m agreeing with you.
Me: I REFUSE to fall for your jedi-mind tricks.
RexG: Listen, I don’t know what I did or what I said, but you’re kind of scary.
Me: WHY DOES EVERY GUY KEEP SAYING THAT?
RexG: Because you yell a lot. Guys don’t like that.
RexG: And you keep putting words in my mouth and making assumptions.
Me: Thanks, I got it.
RexG: And that part in your profile about “no shave november” and always being hangry? Also scary and confusing.
Me: I am who I am.
RexG: Hairy, hungry, and scary?
Me: Yes?
RexG: I don’t know what to tell you Bianca.
Me: Um, about that...Bianca isn’t my name.
RexG: Okayyyyy…What is it then?
Me: Hannah.
RexG: That’s pretty, why did you use a different name? Didn’t want any creepers messaging you?
Me: I just like the name. It sounds sexy.
RexG: Little liar, aren’t you?
Me: NO! Just about that one thing…The rest is all me. I’m just—I can’t help it if I’m awkward and I say stupid shit and I make inappropriate comments at inappropriate times.
RexG: You know—I could help you with that.
Me: Help me with what?
RexG: Help you date. While I’m here. I can teach you some shit, like how to talk to dudes and shit.
Me: This isn’t a trick to try and sleep with me?
RexG: Nope. Twenty-six chicks have swiped on me in the time we’ve been talking. I’ll be fine.
RexG: Do you want my help or not?
RexG: Hello? You still there?
Me: I’m thinking…
RexG: Don’t think too long, I might change my mind.
Me: Fine.
RexG: Great.
Me: Okay.
RexG: LOL here’s my number. Message me when you get the courage.
It takes me two days.
1
Rex
That girl Hannah finally got the balls to message me.
To say I was shocked was an understatement. I didn’t think she’d have to balls to actually do it. Just figured she ran her mouth off a lot and wouldn’t get in touch.
To be honest, I’m not sure I wanted her to. For all her honesty, Hannah seems like kind of…
Judgy.
I don’t use that term lightly, despite the fact that I’m a giant asshole on most occasions, my mother did teach me some manners. Not a lot—but some. Enough to prevent me from getting slapped by women, but not so much I don’t get punched in the face every so often by guys.
I take my niece’s hand as she toddles along beside me. We’re at the mall because I need a new shirt for an upcoming coaching staff meeting, but I’m actually babysitting, too. Lilly is technically not my niece, but her mom Annabelle is one of my breast friends—I chuckle at my joke, bending at the waist to point to the chocolate store to Lilly as we pass by.
“Do you want a chocolate strawberry?” I ask her, poking the glass with the tip of my finger. “Yummy.”
She nods, little curls bobbing, drool dripping a little out the corner of her rosebud shaped mouth.
I scoop her up as we walk inside; she’s no heavier than a puppy, but I make a show of what a big girl she is when I lift her—she loves when I do that. Then I order a cone of chocolate dipped berries and while we wait, Lilly’s curious hands grab at all the shit they have at the cash wrap, knocking over a display of jelly beans.
I grab, too, restacking them and move a few steps back so she’s out of reach. The girl behind the counter is taking fucking forever to grab my strawberries when all she has to do is reach into the refrigerator and grab a pre-made paper wrapped cone of them.
When she finally manages to do her job, Lilly claps.
“Don’t they look good?” I ask her. “Nom, nom, nom!” I’d blow on her stomach if we weren’t in a store. Her adorably pudgy cheeks are sucked in as she anticipates the treats.
“Yummy Guncle Rex!” she enthuses. “Put me down now!”
So demanding. Lilly may be a demanding little shit, but I’m a sucker for her demands and she knows it.
I put her down.
Taking her hand, I lead Lilly out of the chocolate shop. We stop at a bench and I sit while she waits patiently. Huffs. Shuffles on her tiny feet, little nostrils flaring when she gets a glance inside the paper cone.
“You’re being a really good girl, Lilly Pad.”
Lilly bounces on the balls of her feet.
I settle in so she can eat her snack in peace, locating one near a giant makeup store.
My phone dings with a text notification and after I set Lilly up with her berries, using the bench as a table, I tap open my phone. Note a message from an unknown number and blink at it a few times before opening it.
Unknown number: Here I am. Did you miss me?
Me: Who is this?
Unknown: Hannah
Me: I don’t know anyone named Hannah…
Hannah: We haven’t actually met, I gave you my number on LoveU and you said you were going to teach me how to…how to. You know.
Me: No, I don’t know.
Hannah: “Talk to dudes and shit.” Those were your words, not mine.
Me: Ooooh, THAT Hannah. You go by the name Bianca, but that was a lie.
I’m giving her shit. I know exactly who this is since I’ve been expecting her to message me the past two days; actually thought she’d text me as soon as I gave her my number.
She did not.
With one eye on Lilly, I check the next message.
Hannah: I told you my actual name so you cannot hold that against me. I’m weird about my privacy.
Me: No, no, I get it. No need to explain.
Hannah: So, what are you doing right now?
Me: Running errands at the mall with my niece.
Hannah: How old is she?
Me: 2