Teach Me (College Daze Book 2)

by Danielle Burton

  We shared a laugh and I nodded. “No, Sir, I won’t.”

  He nodded then looked away. A long moment of silence passed before he faced me again. “I owe you an apology, Benjamin. Several actually. I should’ve spoken to you before inviting your mother here and I should’ve heard you out when you said you didn’t want to have anything to do with her. In no way am I excusing what I did by saying this, but I had no idea of the terrible things she’d done to you.” He shook his head and let out a rough breath. “That’s another thing I’m sorry about. I should’ve known. Since the day I took you in I was so intent on making sure you didn’t turn out like her that I never stopped to nurture you the way you needed. You were fourteen. You didn’t need the firm hand and discipline I gave, you needed love. You needed someone to listen and to understand. I denied you that. Made you feel like you’d done something wrong when you were only a victim of your circumstances. I’m just as responsible for the way you turned out as your mother is and for that, I am sorry.”

  His words caused my eyes to burn. In all my years of living here he and I had never had a heart to heart. He’d only ever lectured me. I half expected the same when he’d invited me to the basement. His confession and apology caught me off guard.

  “I don’t blame you, Unc. It’s time I started taking responsibility for my own actions. No one forced me to become an alcoholic or any of the other stupid shi–stuff I’ve done. That was all me. I didn’t make it easy for you to love me.”

  “That doesn’t matter. You deserved love regardless. To be treated fairly. I don’t give a damn what paternity says, you are my son, Benjamin. My love for you should be unconditional as it is with Jay. You are both my sons and I love you equally.”

  Words were lost to me. Not once before this moment could I recall him telling me he loved me.

  He stood and held out his hand to me. When I took it he pulled me to my feet and into a hug. “I love you, son.” He patted my back before pulling away and clamping a hand on my shoulder. “Now you go take care of yourself. And when that’s done, you come home.”

  I nodded, fighting to keep the tears that were burning my eyes in place. “I will. I love you too, Unc.”

  “Pops. You call me Pops.”

  ~ ♥ ~

  The time had come. In a few short moments I’d be heading inside of Willow Creek Rehabilitation Center, and shut off from my family and friends for the next thirty days. The pit of my stomach swirled with a frenzy of hyperactive butterflies that had kept me up all night and chased away my appetite.

  The knowledge of what I had to do did nothing to steady my heart which skipped every few beats at the thought of leaving the gorgeous woman beside me behind. A month hadn’t seemed that long until the night we’d gone out to celebrate Jay’s engagement. Every set of male eyes in the restaurant had been on her. It was then I realized she may belong to someone else by the time I came home.

  Cam was a prize that any guy would be lucky to win, and while I had no claim on her, still, I wanted to be that guy, needed to be. But I couldn’t ask her to wait for me. There was no telling what man would walk out of these doors a month from now. I wouldn’t ask her to be mine until I was the man someone as amazing as her deserved.

  I looked over at her, sitting on the bed of Pops’ truck, less than a foot of space between us.

  She swung her sandaled feet back and forth while staring down at her hands. Her light pink dress flowed loosely around her, stopping just above her knees and showing off her beautifully tanned legs.

  I was unsure of the fabric of the dress, but it looked silky and soft and I had to refrain myself from reaching out and caressing it…caressing her. I did however hold out my hand so she’d fill it with her own, then laced my fingers through hers and held it between us. “You gonna miss me?”

  She rolled her eyes but smiled. “No. You gonna miss me?”

  “Yeah.”

  She tucked her lips into her mouth and looked down again. “I might miss having someone to boss around though.”

  “I’ll take that,” I said with a laugh. I slid my hand away from hers and reached around my neck, removing my chain. “Here, keep this for me.” I dropped it into her open palm and she looked it over.

  “Killa? Isn’t that the dog from Isaac’s?”

  “Yeah. She died.”

  “Oh…I’m sorry.”

  I started to shake it off and act all nonchalant about it, but then remembered where keeping things bottled in had gotten me thus far. “She was good dog. Even though I didn’t know her that long, I miss her. It’s strange ‘cause up until I met her I’d never been an animal person. Never even had a pet, but there was just something about her.”

  “Maybe she was your spirit animal.”

  I chuckled a bit and shrugged. “Maybe so.”

  Cam clasped the chain around her neck and ran her thumb over the engraving. “I’ll keep it safe.”

  A few minutes later Pops came over and told us it was time for me to go in. I said my goodbyes, saving Cam for last, and pulling her into a long lingering embrace.

  Once inside, I was escorted to my room to get settled in. I sat down on my temporary bed and took deep breath. Day one.

  Chapter Sixteen

  ~ Camryn ~

  2 weeks later

  My hand gripped the sheet in a tight fist as my body continued to spasm. Once the pulsing between my legs stopped, I uncurled my toes and stared up at the dark ceiling. This made my third dreamgasm in a week, and I didn’t even want to think about the cause of them. I rolled onto my side and tucked my body pillow between my knees. This needed to stop.

  I blamed it on the lack of sex. This was the longest I’d gone without and it was the only reason for my recent…episodes. I refused to read any deeper into it. I needed to get laid, plain and simple. Maybe I should’ve gone ahead and accepted that date from Sean. But then again, we worked together and the last thing I needed was for things to get awkward.

  By some miracle I’d finally landed a job at the local hardware store. It wasn’t at all glamorous, but at least there were no toilet brushes involved.

  Throwing off my covers, I dragged myself out of bed. A week wasn’t nearly enough time to get used to getting up before seven a.m. I had exactly an hour and a half to shower, dress, and eat before I had to clock in. Luckily I had an awesome best friend who didn’t mind dragging her boyfriend out of bed to drive me to work. Gabi could get Jay to do just about anything with a bat of her eyelashes. And the best part, he did so out of love, not because he expected something in return. It must’ve been nice having someone like that, someone to call your own, who’d be there through thick and thin and love you no matter what.

  I moved around the room collecting my clothes for the day then checked my phone for the exact time. Upon seeing the date, I had to laugh at myself. Saturday. Those damn dreams had me so mixed up. Well, back to bed.

  I threw myself onto the mattress, snuggling into the basketball themed sheets. Benji’s bed was so comfortable. So was the t-shirt I’d ‘borrowed’ from his dresser. I smiled into my pillow, he was never getting this shirt back. For reasons unknown it was the most comfortable thing I’d ever worn. The soft cotton felt so good against my bare skin.

  I could almost imagine the smart comment laced with a sexual innuendo Benji would utter if he knew I’d slept in his shirt…and nothing else. That thought brought on another smile along with a soft giggle. Perv.

  My smile soon faded, as it always did when I thought about him, all alone at that rehab center, not being allowed any visitors or even phone calls. I couldn’t begin to imagine how it felt to be cut off from the world. I just hoped they could provide him with the help he so desperately needed.

  The sun was just starting to peek through the curtains when someone knocked on my door. Lifting my head, I glanced at the clock. Whoever it was better have a damn good reason for waking me at eight on a weekend. I dragged myself to the door and pulled it open.

  Gabi’s smiling face
greeted me. She rocked back and forth on her feet, already dressed for the day in a pair of cut off shorts and a blue midriff top. “Morning!”

  I grimaced at the chirpiness in her voice and rubbed my eyes. “What?”

  She continued to beam at me, her rock turning into a bounce. “Guess what!?”

  “It is way too early for guessing games, and bouncing. Stop that. You’re making me dizzy.”

  Her smile faltered and she folded her arms. “Well, if you’re going to be rude I’ll just find another best friend to take with me to Exhale. Maybe Jay would like a full body massage.” She turned on her heels and started to march away.

  I took quick strides to catch up and grabbed her hand. “Exhale? Are you serious?”

  She turned with a sly smirk on her face. “Yup.”

  “How in the world did you pull that off?” Exhale was an exclusive, and quite pricey, full service spa in Bridge Pointe. It catered to a lot of celebrity clientele and was reservation only. From what I’d heard it took months to get a reservation with them, and even then it was nearly impossible because they became booked so quickly. My mom had gone a few times when I was younger, but I was never allowed to accompany her because you had to be eighteen to even step foot in the doors.

  Gabi’s smirk lifted slightly. “Let’s just say my future father-in-law knows some people. He pulled some strings and got us a full day of pampering. You know, if you aren’t too sleepy.”

  I fell to my knees and hugged her legs. “I love you so much.” It’d been months since I’d been to a spa. Hell, I couldn’t even afford a manicure from the cheap place in the mall. “I’m so happy I could cry.”

  Gabi giggled then patted my back. “There, there.”

  Jay stepped out of his bedroom and looked down at me with a raised brow. “You do know she’s already engaged, right?”

  I stood to my feet and made a face at him.

  He chuckled and headed for the stairs, pausing to kiss Gabi’s cheek and give her a light tap on the butt, which he probably thought I didn’t notice.

  I shook my head at them then raced into the bathroom to shower and get ready for my spa day.

  ~ ♥ ~

  Tranquil music drifted through the air as we stepped inside of Exhale. A sweet aroma filled my senses, relaxing me instantly. I did a slow spin, taking in the décor. The lobby walls were painted white and had a gold marble effect. Plush sofas and lounges were placed tastefully around the area and there were several glass tables with magazines stacked neatly on them. “Wow, this place is gorgeous. Remind me to get Mr. Adams something really nice for Christmas.”

  Gabi beamed next to me, again bouncing on her feet.

  I was starting to wonder if she’d had a cup full of sugar for breakfast. Shaking my head at my goofy friend, I linked my arm through hers and led her over to the counter.

  A slender Indian woman greeting us with a smile. “Welcome to Exhale. What can we pleasure you with today?”

  Had I been drinking anything my beverage would have went spewing from my mouth. Did the managers really make them greet people that way? It sounded like something Benji would say. Or perhaps it was my sex deprived mind warping innocent words.

  Gabi tapped my arm, pulling me from my thoughts. “Come on, girlie. Time to get pampered.”

  We opted to share a room for our deep tissue massage. The walls inside were wooden and white lanterns hung from the ceiling. Only a thin curtain separated me and Gabi.

  After undressing behind the partition set up in the corner, I climbed onto my table and got comfortable. “I hope I get a male masseuse.”

  Gabi pulled the curtain back enough to expose her face. “Why?”

  “Because it’ll be my first time being touched by a man in months.”

  She giggled and shook her head at me. “Still on strike from men?”

  “Yes and it is hell.” I lifted my head and rested my chin on my fist. “I just don’t want to end up choosing wrong again.”

  “You can’t stop dating because you’re scared. Sometimes you have to kiss a few toads until you find your prince.”

  I rolled my eyes at her corniness. “Says the girl who found her soulmate at twelve.”

  She grinned while brushing a stray hair from her eye. “You’ll find yours, too. That is if you don’t give up.”

  I sighed and laid my head back down. “Not necessarily. In this over populated world it’s impossible for everyone to find their soul mate. With my luck mine is probably in Japan or India somewhere.”

  Her smile fell for a moment before reclaiming her face full force. “Your prince may be closer than you think.”

  I inhaled deeply and released it thinking of the last guy I’d thought to hold that title. “I don’t need a prince, just someone who loves me for me.”

  Gabi sniffed and wiped away a fake tear. “My little Cam has grown so much.”

  I rolled my eyes at her as the masseuses walked in, both female. Damn.

  During the long silence of the massage I thought over my life. So many years had been spent living under my mother’s rules. She’d shaped my views on men and relationships long ago. With daddy being on the road all the time she’d been my teacher. And teach me she did. How to wrap my father around my finger. How to use my body to get what I wanted. How to manipulate a man into thinking it was his idea.

  Not one of her lessons ever told me of the consequences. That my father would come to resent me, possibly even regret me. That constantly being used would drive him away. I was never taught that giving my body away so freely would get me labeled a whore, a slut, or a gold digger. That it could land me in dangerous situations. She never told me of the negative side effects that behavior would have on my life.

  A part of me wondered if she’d done so on purpose. If she’d wanted this for me. Wanted to see me destroy my life as she’d done hers. I already knew she didn’t love me. While she hadn’t said those exact words, her meaning was clear. Love is a weakness, Cammie. One thing I will never be is weak. Neither will you.

  Since fighting my way from under her thumb I’d started to see how wrong she was. Gabi and Jay had showed me how amazing love could be. Mr. and Mrs. Adams as well. Love didn’t make you weak. With the right person it was strength. They were your strength. When you were too weak to stand, they were your legs. When you could no longer care for yourself, you could depend on them to make sure you didn’t starve. They breathed life into you, brought a smile to your face on your darkest days, and kept you going when all you wanted to do was give up. That’s what love was. Sure it could be painful, hell, downright terrifying, but it was worth it. It had to be or else people wouldn’t go through so much drama for the sake of having it.

  My thoughts drifted to what Benji had said about the heart being sacred. He was right.

  I made a promise to myself then and there. Until I found a man deserving, I would protect my heart at all costs. The same would be done for my body and that’s how both would remain until I found a love worth the risk.

  ~ ♥ ~

  After our morning of relaxation Gabi and I sat down for lunch at an outdoor Bistro down the street. Gabi rolled her shoulders with a grin spread across her face. “My body has never been this loose. I feel like I can fold into a pretzel.”

  I laughed while looking over my menu. She wasn’t wrong though. I hadn’t been this relaxed in a long time. I felt so light and free, my mood could not be ruined. “Thank you for the wonderful spa day.”

  “No problem at all.” She smiled and patted my hand. “Anything for my sister.”

  “Aww.” I wiped a fake tear from my eye and placed a hand over my heart.

  Gabi giggled. “Anyway, did you ever get your FAFSA sorted out?”

  “Not yet. I talked to someone at the office and there’s a lot of stuff I have to do since I’ll be applying as independent. All that paperwork gives me a headache.”

  “Well, let me know if you need any help.” She sipped her water then picked up her menu again. “Wha
t about scholarships and grants? Any luck?”

  “Still researching. I’ve applied for a few grants. Now I’m looking into scholarships specific to photography.”

  Her gaze lifted to me and a grin spread across her face. “So you finally settled on that as a major.”

  I nodded, unable to contain my own smile. “I love it so much, Gabi. I swear I’ve never been happier than when I am behind that lens.”

  “I’m happy for you. I think you’ve found your calling.” She froze and her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh! You can be me and Jay’s wedding photographer!”

  “Shh, calm down.” I glanced around, noting several patrons eyeing the crazy girl across from me.

  Redness crept over her cheeks and she cleared her throat. “Sorry, I’m just really excited.”

  “Have you two decided on a date yet?”

  “No, nothing official, but Jay wants a winter wedding.”

  “Aww, that’d be so adorable.”

  “Right?”

  A throat cleared above me and I glanced up, spotting a man donning a pair of shades. He couldn’t have been wait staff with the three-piece beige suit he was dressed in. His mouth lifted into a panty dropping smile and he removed his glasses. “I thought that was you, Camryn.”

  My heart leapt in my chest and my palms began to sweat. “Dirk?”

  “Long time no see. What’s it been two years?”

  “Three.” The menu dropped to the table. I lifted my water glass with a shaking hand and took a sip to calm my frazzled nerves. So much for my mood. Taking a deep breath, I lifted my gaze to him again. “As you can see, my friend and I are—”

  His phone rung and he lifted a finger to silence me. “Hello.”

  I turned my attention to Gabi and folded my hands together to prevent myself from punching him in the groin, which was pretty much eye-level.

  Gabi looked from me to him, mouthing a question of ‘Who is he?’.