Mine Forever

by Mia Ford

  “Oh yeah?” Marlene smirked. “Then explain why you have to keep sending him out of class! My son is a perfect little boy, and you and this goddamned school have been treating him like he’s some kind of delinquent!”

  When I opened my mouth to speak, nothing came out. In frustration, I buried my face in my hands and cried.

  “You can’t even handle the lightest of criticism,” Marlene spat. “You are not fit to teach my son!”

  I wanted to scream at her. I wanted to slap her, to stamp my foot, to throw a fucking fit. But I knew that wouldn’t accomplish anything. I knew that would only make myself look worse, and possibly open myself up to a lawsuit.

  “I’ll be in touch,” Marlene said smugly. She turned on her heel and clacked her way out of the room, humming under her breath.

  I flopped down in my chair and wiped my face with tissues. Just as I was starting to calm down, the door burst open again and my heart sank.

  But this time, it wasn’t Marlene.

  It was Thomas March.

  He strode towards me, smiling and looking sexy…until he saw my face. Once he realized how distressed I was, he rushed closer.

  “June! What the hell happened?”

  I sniffed. “Your wife happened,” I said flatly.

  Thomas’s face fell. “Let’s get out of here,” he said darkly. “There’s a coffee place around the corner. Come with me and I’ll tell you everything.”

  --

  Ten minutes later, Thomas and I were sitting side by side, sipping cappuccino.

  “I’m so sorry about Marlene,” Thomas said, after I’d told him the whole bloody story. “She’s angry with me right now, and she’s taking it out on you.”

  I licked my lips and shivered. “She threatened to have me fired,” I said, trembling. “She sounded serious, too.”

  “She won’t do that,” Thomas said firmly. “And if she does, you bet your ass I’m going to your boss and telling him that she’s full of shit. Marlene likes to throw her weight around to get her away. She’s not going to win this time, June. I won’t let that happen.”

  “Why is she so angry?” I turned to look at Thomas, to stare at his gorgeous face and hair streaked grey and silver.

  “Fuck if I know,” Thomas said bitterly. “She’s the one who cheated on me.”

  My jaw dropped.

  “Oh, yeah,” Thomas said casually. “She was thrilled when we first split up, she said it meant she could finally get everything she wanted.”

  I took a long sip of my coffee. It was both creamy and bitter, just the way I liked it.

  “What a horrible woman,” I said softly. “Sorry,” I added quickly. “I know you were married to her and everything.”

  Thomas shrugged. “I had no idea what she was capable of when we first got together,” he said. “Trust me – if I’d known, I’m not sure I would’ve gone through with it.”

  I shivered. “She’s really gunning for me,” I said. “She’s doing everything she can to make me doubt myself.”

  Thomas nodded. “I swear it won’t happen again.”

  “Oh god,” I said. I could feel my cheeks growing pale. “Please, please don’t say anything! It’ll look like I went and tattled to you!”

  Thomas chuckled. I blushed – the sound of his voice was so melodious, so deep that I couldn’t stay afraid for long.

  “June,” Thomas said heavily. “You’re an adult. You’re not a little kid. What the hell do I care if you ‘tattle’ or not? My ex is being a nasty bitch, and she’s not going to get away with it.”

  I slumped down against the seat. “I really am trying,” I said softly. “But Brett keeps acting out, and I can’t take time away from the rest of the class in order to discipline him.”

  “I know.” Thomas sighed. “This is all really hard on him. I’m sure he blames me – hell, he might even blame himself.”

  We lapsed into silence. “Thanks,” I said quietly. “I just don’t want you to think that I’m ignoring your son, or anything like that.”

  Thomas smirked. “You’re a good teacher, June,” he said. “I know you wouldn’t do something like that.”

  I shivered. “Thanks,” I said softly.

  Thomas got to his feet and sighed. “I hate to rush off,” he said. “But I need to pick Brett up. You want a ride home?”

  I shook my head, too embarrassed for Mr. March to see where I lived.

  “No thanks,” I said softly.

  Thomas grinned. “Okay, June,” he said.

  I blushed. The way he said my name always made me shiver with happiness. He had such a beautiful voice. My body always responded to him. At least he didn’t ask you for a drink, I thought. Then you really would’ve made a fool of yourself.

  “See you, June,” Thomas said. He winked at me and I blushed.

  “Bye,” I stammered.

  Thomas whistled as he walked away. I couldn’t tear my eyes off his tall, handsome silhouette. I knew it was wrong, but I wanted him so badly.

  I need a distraction, I realized. I just need to find someone my own age, who won’t belittle me. Someone who doesn’t have an ex-wife and tons of baggage.

  But the problem was, I didn’t want someone like that.

  I wanted someone like Thomas March.

  That evening, I was lying on my bed and grading papers when my phone buzzed. Angela hadn’t come home yet, and I didn’t even have to look at the caller identification to know that it was her.

  “Hey,” I said. “Could you pick up a pizza on the way home? I’m starving.”

  A deep masculine laugh filled my ears and my cheeks burned bright red.

  “I’d bring you a pizza, but I don’t know where you live, June.”

  I blushed even harder. “Mr. March! I’m so sorry!”

  Thomas chuckled again. “How many times do I have to tell you – call me Thomas, June.”

  I gulped and swallowed. “Okay.”

  “Look, June, I was calling to ask you out to dinner on Friday night.”

  I bit my lip. “Did something happen with Brett? Is everything okay?”

  Thomas laughed. “Brett’s fine. He’ll be with his mother this weekend.”

  “Oh,” I said quietly. “Why, then?”

  “Because I want to take you out,” Thomas said. “On a date. A real date, to a nice restaurant.”

  I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head.

  “You can’t be serious,” I said quickly. “Me?”

  “Yes, June, you.”

  I bit my lip.

  “So, are you free? Can I pick you up at seven-thirty this Friday?”

  I nodded quickly, forgetting that Thomas wasn’t in the same room to see me.

  “Yes,” I said quickly. “Yes, yes!”

  Thomas laughed. “That’s the response I was hoping for,” he said in a deep growl that sent a shiver of arousal crawling down my spine. “I’m looking forward to it, June.”

  I blushed hotly. “Me too,” I said softly. “Me, too.”

  When we hung up, I had to pinch my arm to make sure that I was really awake. It stung, but I still felt delirious and happy. I couldn’t believe that Mr. March had asked me, of all people – me! – out for a fancy dinner date night. I was grinning so wide that both of my cheeks ached.

  I couldn’t believe it. Me and Mr. March…together, out on a date!

  Suddenly, life was really looking up.

  Chapter Five

  June

  For the next few days, all I could think about was Mr. March. I still couldn’t believe that someone like him would want anything to do with someone like me.

  “Come on, June. You’re so pretty,” Angela whined one morning as we were finishing up breakfast before work. “Of course he’d want to go out with you!”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m closer to his son in age than I am to him,” I said. An image of Marlene, angry and flustered, popped into my head. “And besides,” I added miserably. “I might be pretty, but his ex-wife is beautiful
.”

  “Well obviously, he doesn’t want anyone like her,” Angela said.

  “Thanks,” I muttered sarcastically.

  “June, I didn’t mean it like that!” Angela flushed. “You know, I just meant…he likes you. He wants to get to know you.” She batted her eyelashes at me. “He’s falling in love!”

  “Oh, my god, stop,” I said, getting up from the table and wiping my hands on a dish towel. “I can’t think about that right now. He’s probably just bored and wants to be friends, you know?”

  Angela giggled. “I guess you’ll find out,” she said.

  I yawned. When I glanced down at the time display on my phone, I yelped in surprise.

  “I need to get a move on,” I said quickly, grabbing my coat. “I’m going to be late.”

  Angela waved and I opened the door and darted down the hall.

  By the time I got to school, I was so distracted that I knew I wouldn’t be able to focus, no matter what. I ran into the break room and stuck my lunch in the fridge, praying that I wouldn’t be late to class. The kids were already here, and I hoped that Ruth was taking charge of the class.

  Just as I was about to go to my classroom, Andy stepped into the break room. He grinned when he saw me.

  “Hey, June,” Andy said. “Nice morning, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah,” I said quickly. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. “I’ve gotta go, I’m gonna be late.”

  “Hey, wait a sec.” Andy grabbed my shoulder. “June, look, I really want to talk to you.” He glanced into my eyes and I flushed hotly.

  “I’m really sorry,” I said quickly. “But I’ve got to run to class.”

  “I didn’t mean here,” Andy said. He smiled, like it was a joke.

  I forced a smile right back.

  “How about we go out to dinner this Friday?”

  “Oh, god, Andy, I’m sorry – I can’t. I actually have plans that night.”

  Andy’s eyes flashed. “Oh yeah? With another guy?” I could tell he was struggling to keep his voice neutral and calm.

  I blushed. “Uh, no, I’m just going out with my roommate, Angela,” I lied.

  “Oh?” Andy raised an eyebrow. “Where are you going?”

  Why are you giving me the third degree, I thought in exasperation. Just let me go!

  “I don’t know yet,” I said. “Look, I’ve really got to run. Bye, Andy!”

  Andy narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know how you can be like this, June.”

  “What?” I frowned. “What are you talking about?”

  “I don’t like being toyed with,” Andy continued. “And I hate how you’re trying to play me. Hot and cold, which is it?”

  Thankfully the bell rang just as I was about to open my mouth.

  “I can’t talk,” I said quickly. “Bye, Andy!”

  Andy stood there, glowering at me as I ran off towards my classroom.

  Thankfully, the kids were just starting to file in as I took my place at the head of the class. Ruth raised an eyebrow at me.

  “Sorry,” I mouthed. “Bad traffic.”

  Ruth nodded.

  As I called the class to order, I couldn’t quite get Andy’s words out of my mind. What had he been talking about? Hot and cold? I wasn’t even sure what that meant!

  The day, thankfully, seemed to speed by. I was afraid of running into Andy, so I stayed in my room for planning and lunch. It was pouring rain, and the kids were so restless by three-thirty that they were practically bouncing off the walls. I was more relieved to see them dismissed than usual, and my stomach was in knots by the time I left school.

  At home, Angela was making a batch of sangria. She poured some into a glass and held it out towards me.

  “Rough day?”

  I rolled my eyes and took a sip. It was good, and I closed my eyes as I savored the fruity tastes bursting on my tongue.

  “It was okay,” I said. I shrugged and carried my glass into the living room before flopping down on the couch.

  “What happened?” Angela narrowed her eyes. “You nervous about tomorrow?”

  I blushed. “Yeah,” I said. I wrinkled my nose. “I dunno. Someone I work with said something kind of odd to me.”

  Angela snickered. “Oh, girl,” she said. “Like what?”

  “It was Andy,” I explained. “You know, that guy I had coffee with last week.”

  “He totally has a thing for you,” Angela said.

  I laughed. “That can’t be true,” I said. “I think he’s just bored and I’m there, you know? Like he wouldn’t approach me if we didn’t work together every day.”

  Angela shook her head. “You’re so naïve,” she said. “He totally wants you.”

  My stomach twisted into a knot. “Well, whatever, he told me I was hot and cold with him.”

  Angela laughed. “See, girl? He’s totally got it for you, and he’s mad that you’re not draping yourself all over him.”

  “Ew!”

  “Well, it’s true, he probably wants to sleep with you,” she said smugly, taking a long sip of her drink. “He probably senses there’s some other dude in your life. Men are like that. They can practically smell competition from a mile away.”

  I flushed hotly. “Mr. March isn’t anything like Andy,” I said. “And that’s a good thing – definitely.”

  “So, why’d you ask him to coffee if you don’t really like him?”

  I bit my lip. “I felt guilty.”

  “June!”

  “What?”

  “That’s such a dumb reason,” Angela said. She rolled her eyes. “You can’t do that! It just leads guys on.”

  “Well, I felt bad that he asked me out and I said no, so I thought I’d make things right by asking him out.”

  “God,” Angela sighed. “You are never gonna learn!”

  I frowned. “It was just a coffee thing,” I said. “It didn’t even feel like a date. Besides,” I added. “We ran into Hannah – that assistant that Mr. March has.”

  “And another thing,” Angela said sternly. “You’ve got to stop calling him Mr. March! He’s going to be your boyfriend soon.”

  I blushed hotly. “It just doesn’t feel right,” I said. “He’s so much older than I am.”

  Angela groaned. “Girl, you are going to have so much fun with him. Just please, relax and promise that you’ll start calling him Thomas.”

  I could feel my blush deepening into a bright crimson. “Okay.”