by J. M. Dabney
“Hello, Principal.”
“Come on, Philly, you can call me Bret. You haven't been in this school for what—”
“Don't do the math.”
“Besides, I thought we’d become friends since I’m a regular at the diner. Miles said he was bringing you.”
“Yeah, but he didn't tell me until two hours ago.”
Bret grimaced and made her laugh. “You have an amazing and compassionate son, Philly.”
“I do. I didn't do too bad.”
“Not bad at all. I wonder if they'd miss me if I snuck out.”
“Not having fun surrounded by all the teenage hormones that are probably inflated by illegal substances and alcohol?”
“I was told I had to at least put in an appearance tonight. I just want to go home, put my feet up and have a beer. End of the year is always a nightmare.”
“Looking forward to the summer off?”
“I don't get much time off. Trying to keep Dad's ranch going after his stroke and work. At least I won't have to worry about school for a few months. It'll almost be like a vacation.”
“More time to go out on your bike? Haven't seen you breaking any traffic laws in a while.”
“I took my baby out of storage but haven't had time to take her on the road yet. Still pulling all those hours at the diner?”
“No, some of the pressure’s off since my kid got the scholarship. Thanks for helping out with all the paperwork.”
Bret had helped so much since Miles had started school. She’d lost count of how many times Bret and Miles had worked together on homework at the diner. Bret had always seemed to go out of his way to help. She’d wanted to tell him how much she appreciated what he’d done, yet the words just never came. Bret had taken a lot of weight from her shoulders with the simple act of studying with Miles.
“Not a problem. I just helped him fill in some information. He got in on his work ethic alone.”
“He's going to be working at the diner for the summer to pad his savings a bit more and I was going to surprise him with the money I've been putting away for him.”
“You did good, Philly. I wish you would've come back to school after you had him.”
Bret had come to her trailer after Miles had been born and tried to talk her into going back to school. Actually, he'd pleaded with her to come back, but she wouldn't have been able to afford it. She'd gotten her G.E.D. and was thinking of taking some online courses this fall after Miles left for college.
“I had to work, bills to pay and all that.”
“You only had a year left.”
“But I lost my scholarship. Even if I could've gone, school, work, and Miles in a strange place. It's ancient history, okay?”
She hated the defensiveness in her tone. Being ashamed wasn’t in her personality—she’d survived so much in her life and had come out on top. She had a job she was great at. Miles was amazing and well-adjusted. When people made her feel like her decisions weren’t right, it had always caused her to want to defend her life.
“Sorry, you had a lot of potential Philly, that's all I meant.”
“Thanks. I really appreciated you caring back then, and you did a lot for Miles.”
“He's exactly like you.”
“Don't curse the boy.”
“Hush it, Philly. You know what I mean. I think he's looking for you and a slow song just came on.”
“I didn't agree to dancing.”
“I don't think he cares. Have a good night.”
“You too…Bret.”
“Good girl.” He winked at her and then disappeared into the shadows.
For the last hour of her promised limit, her son made her dance, and she hung out at the table with his friends. He argued when she said she'd walk home but she wanted him and his friends to enjoy the limo.
She hugged him, and he had to lean down. She whispered in his ear, “Have fun, Miles. You deserve it, and I love you.”
“I love you too, Ma.”
She grabbed her shawl and headed for the exit. She looked over her shoulder at her son as he danced with one of his best friends. His handsome face brightened with a smile.
No, she hadn't done bad at all.
Completely Inappropriate
Bret Stoker watched Philly Kilmer disappear through the gym exit, and he quickly made his excuses. He went out the second exit which was closest to him. It was completely inappropriate, but he'd always had a soft spot for the woman.
Soft spot, he laughed to himself. That statement didn’t have a chance of coming close to how he felt about the woman.
She'd been smart and quiet, and when he'd found out she was pregnant, the news had shocked him. How she'd come to be in that condition had sickened him. He’d overheard how they’d held Philly down, and they’d laughed about how she’d begged them to stop. He’d barely resisted beating the shit out of them in the locker room.
When he'd found out, he'd gone to the town Sheriff himself and no one had cared. Boys being boys…what kind of bullshit was that?
Since no one else wanted to make things right, he did what he could. He'd made the boys lives hell for the last year they’d been on his team and in his classroom. He knew every detail of what had been done to her, and before he'd been able to do anything about it, Philly had dropped out.
“Hey, Philly,” he called out and smiled as she pivoted with a smile on her beautiful face.
That gorgeous black dress with white polka dots showcased her plump form and stopped at mid-calf. Her small breasts just filled out the bodice.
Over the years, his interest had grown especially since Miles had started high school. He used to go to the diner for lunch and made sure to sit in her section. The times they talked and laughed were the best he remembered. He was considerably older than her and her former teacher. That kept him from pursuing anything with her.
He’d never noticed any attraction on her part. The town was small, everyone knew everyone's business, and he’d never heard of her dating. On Philly's days off, he'd pump Gladys for information or Miles let things slip occasionally.
“Escaping?”
“Yes, did you need a ride home? I know it's not a fancy limo, but my truck seats are clean.”
“I can walk.”
“It's late. your place is on the way back to the ranch.”
“Okay.” He noticed she looked a little nervous.
“I'm just taking you home. You've known me forever.”
“It's fine.”
She seemed to brush it aside, but that didn’t rid the wariness from her expression. Bret refused to let what he knew of her past bother him.
“Come on, I'm parked in the employee lot out back.” He waited for her to approach. Once she reached him, he turned, and they walked in silence outside toward his truck.
He strode to the passenger side and opened the door for her. “Hey, want to go get something to eat? I don't feel like making anything when I get home. And that cranky housekeeper/cook we got refuses to leave me leftovers. Don't make me eat alone.”
“That would be nice. I'm a little hungry.”
“Good deal.” He helped her into the passenger seat, slammed the door to make sure it closed and jogged around to the driver side.
There was a steakhouse out near the highway, and he wanted to avoid the diner. His thought was if he took Philly out of town, he’d be able to keep her a little longer. Strangers wouldn’t make her nervous about being seen with him. He started his truck and pulled out, heading toward the town limits.
“I thought we were going to the diner.”
He glanced at her to find her moving closer to the door.
“There's a steakhouse outside town. I thought we'd avoid the crush at the diner when the prom ends. Philly, you're safe.”
He stopped at a stop sign and looked at her again. “Philly?”
“That would be nice. I've never been there.”
He wondered if she'd ever spoken to anyone about what happened to h
er. Things like that didn't go away just because they weren't talked about. He didn't want to bring it up. She was already nervous enough.
“I don't go often. It's been about a year, and we can take the back way to your place to avoid town. Main Street will be a nightmare.”
They drove the half hour to the highway in silence. She had her tiny purse in a death grip. He pulled into a parking spot close to the entrance. She started to open her door.
“I'll come around.”
He didn't look at her as he slid out of his seat and moved around the front of the truck.
A sudden overwhelming sense of uneasiness made him pause. He should've taken her home. The only times they talked were when she took his order, and they spoke about Miles. He took a deep breath and opened the door for her. He held out his hand to help her down. Her small fingers slid across his, and she awkwardly got out of the truck. Her dress wasn't exactly meant for trucks as high as his. He made sure she was steady on her feet before he closed the door and placed his hand on her back as he led her to the front door.
Thankfully, they didn't look busy, so hopefully they wouldn't have to wait. He wasn't lying about needing food. He hadn't gone home after school. He'd just showered and changed in the locker room.
They were shown to a table in a secluded corner, and after the hostess gave them menus and took their drink order, she left.
Philly removed her shawl to expose her bare shoulders that were sprinkled with tiny freckles. She laid it and her purse on the chair at the left side of the table.
“I don't think I told you, but you look beautiful. You should dress up more often.”
He liked the pink in her cheeks at the compliment.
“I don't go out, so I don't have much reason to dress up, but thank you. Miles bought me the dress. The makeup was a nightmare to put on. I haven’t worn it since high school.”
“I don't remember you wearing any.”
“I didn't wear much. Not enough for people to notice. I didn't like to draw attention.”
She drew his attention in her waitress uniform or her usual jeans and t-shirts. When she came to the school wearing her faded jeans that hugged the ample curves of her ass and hips he'd barely been able to focus.
He hadn't known it was her the first time she’d come to the school. Four years ago, he'd taken over as principal and this curvy woman had been waiting outside the school office. He had frozen just to wait to watch her walk. The sway and bounce of her ass had been the sexiest thing he'd ever seen.
When the woman had turned around, and he'd seen who it was, he’d felt like a dirty old man. He was fifteen years older than Philly, and she was his former student. She'd filled out over the years. She'd always been a chunky teenager, but those curves had turned into his wet dream. She'd be horrified to know the things he'd dreamed of doing to her the last few years. When he'd caught sight of her as she'd walked into the gym on Miles' arm, he swore he hadn't been able to breathe.
“What did you want to get? It's my treat since you agreed to keep me company.”
“I can afford to pay—”
“You're doing me a favor. Please, let me do this.”
She nodded, but he had a feeling they'd have a disagreement later when the check came. She'd learn quickly he'd get his way and this wouldn't be the last meal they shared. Miles was about to graduate. He wouldn't be dating one of his student's mothers. He didn’t even want to do the math on how long he’d wanted her.
Before he could have what he craved, Philly needed to learn to trust him. Maybe she'd like to come out on his next ride.
“You ever ridden a motorcycle before?”
“No.”
“Maybe you'd like to join me.”
“I don't know.”
“Just think about it. Now, figure out what you want to eat.”
Their server came to the table, and he ignored the woman's flirting, as he nodded for Philly to order and then he put in his own. The server seemed to put some extra sway into her slim hips, but he wasn't interested.
“Seems you have an admirer.”
“Who?”
Philly snorted and shook her head.
“This isn't a date, but it was tacky as fuck that she'd flirt with me and she isn't my type.”
He chuckled at the roll of her pale, whiskey-colored eyes.
“The blonde, big breasted woman is every man's type.”
“Not mine.”
He had never thought he had a type even though he normally hooked up with tall, slim women he'd meet when he'd go out of town. Dating in a small town was a mistake for him especially when most of their kids were in his school. And with work and the ranch, he didn't have a lot of time to invest in a relationship, but he'd change that for a chance with the woman across the table from him.
“What are you going to do when Miles goes off to school?”
“I have no idea. It's been the two of us for almost eighteen years. It's going to be weird just me in the house.”
“Dreading it?”
“So much. I'm proud of him and the man he’s turned into, he deserves this. How's your dad? He doesn't come in for his weekly cherry pie anymore.”
“He's doing okay. He has a nurse who stays with him during the day. His mobility is getting better. He slurs a bit, and he's embarrassed by it. I think that's why he doesn't come to town often except for appointments.”
“Maybe stop by one afternoon, and I'll send some pie with you.”
“He always liked you. Said you were the highlight of his supply runs.”
“That man's flirting was scandalous.”
He couldn't help but laugh. His old man liked to think he was a ladies’ man. Clayton hadn't dated after his wife died. Clayton and his mom were happily married for forty years.
“But his favorite subject was Diane. He loved to tell me stories.”
“Mom was perfect. Dad said she was an angel and he didn't know what he'd done so right.”
“He said she turned him down so many times. Your dad was so adorable when he talked about her.”
“I'm sure he'd love to see someone other than me, his nurse, housekeeper and the boys. You could bring him pie.”
“I don't drive.”
“I could pick you up. And why don't you have a car?”
“No one ever taught me to drive, and with the town so small, I can walk most places.”
“Miles has a car.”
“And who taught him to drive?”
Miles was a speed demon, and he was sure that boy had given him several new gray hairs during their lessons.
“I did. I could teach you too. We could go out to the ranch to an empty pasture.”
“I've always wanted to learn but was embarrassed.”
“No need to be ashamed of that. I can teach you, and with Miles going away to college, you need to get around. Or I could be your personal taxi service.”
“That's not…”
“I wouldn't mind.”
She looked away and before he could get her attention the food arrived. They spoke and exchanged stories. He liked her. She was sweet and smart, empathetic, and beautiful. He wanted more dinners and time to get her to trust him.
Just from the few things he'd noticed and learned over the years, he was going to have his work cut out for him. He had a feeling he was going to have to slay the demons of her past before she'd let him close.
What the Fuck Did She Agree To?
Philly was about to hyperventilate as she tried to calm herself. Bret was going to be there any minute to pick her up and take her out to the ranch to visit his dad, also give her a driving lesson. What the fuck did I agree to? She felt like she was fourteen again and she'd entered his classroom for the first time. Bret had stood in front of the class, and he'd looked so handsome, she'd felt so fucking stupid for her crush. It had remained until she'd had to quit school.
Bret hadn't disappeared though. He'd come into the diner for lunch almost every day. She'd felt embarrassed whe
n he'd stared at her belly.
She stared in the mirror to glare at her cackling son and flipped him off.
“Ma, aren't you supposed to set an example of appropriate behavior?”
“When did you become the parent? That's how it works, now?”
“You know, for a woman in her thirties, you're awful nervous about a first date.”
She was suddenly horrified and spun to stare at Miles. “This isn't a date, is it? Oh, fuck, I have to cancel. Where's my phone?” She screeched as she stormed to the kitchen to take her phone off the charger.
Miles caught her by the waist before she reached her target.
“Ma, breathe,” Miles ordered as he turned her to look at him. “Mr. Stoker is a nice guy. What's so wrong with a date?”
“I've never been on one. What am I supposed to do? I don't want this to be a date. Men want…”
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t dreamed of a date or two with the ultra-handsome, older man, but she’d shook those off as naïve fantasies. She couldn’t be Bret’s type. Even in the small-town landscape of Brand, Bret always seemed so sophisticated, and she just didn’t see herself as someone Bret would seriously date.
“Hey, you listen to me, Ma, men aren't like the contributor to my DNA. At least not all of them. Has Mr. Stoker ever tried anything? Made you uncomfortable?”
“No, but—”
“But what?”
“I had a crush on him when I was in his class.”
Miles laughed his fool head off, and she pushed at his chest.
“It's not funny.”
“Have you been sneaking peeks at my coach all these years?”
“Shut up.”
She hated when his expression turned serious, and he lifted her onto the counter. He planted his hands on the stained surface beside her thighs. He leaned in until their foreheads were pressed together. “I'm going away to college in a few months, and I don't want you alone. Hiding out in this trailer when you're not at work. That bastard who forced you…” His voice broke. “He shouldn't ruin your chance at a life, Ma. He probably went on like nothing happened. He should be paying for what he did, not you.”