Done With Men Forever (Clairmont Series Book 3)

by S. Jane Scheyder

  Maddy took Becky’s hand. “Of course. I’m glad I came over.” She gave her a hug. “I also have a bunch of paint samples ...”

  Becky smiled. “Go make up with your husband.”

  “I don’t want to rush out. You gonna be okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m good. Gotta get back to work, anyway.”

  Maddy nodded. “Well, let me know how it all goes.”

  “Sure. Do you want me to take a look at those samples?”

  Maddy smiled. “I’d love your input. I was feeling a little lost without it.”

  Becky shook her head. “You’re doing just fine. But I’ll look them over. I’ll need a break from this other stuff, anyway.”

  Maddy dug the sample cards out of her purse. “Okay, so, the first one is for ...”

  Becky picked up the pile. “I’ll figure it out. Just go home and take care of your family.”

  Maddy hugged her. “You’re the best.”

  “Fine. Whatever. Just go.” Becky smiled as her sister grabbed her coat and made her way out the door.

  ***

  Becky wanted to pour her heart into the presentation, but found herself simply spewing facts. She was no more convincing than the book. “Don’t have sex or else ...” It was a sure-fire way to encourage them. There would probably be fewer virgins in the town of Clairmont tonight than there were this morning, and it would all be Becky’s fault. At the end of the class, the kids just stared at her blankly. Some looked bored and most looked doubtful.

  “And I’m sure you guys are taking your own advice.” The junior laughed and looked at her derisively.

  Tank lifted himself from his perch on the edge of the teacher’s desk. All eyes followed him as he moved with his disconcertingly quiet style and stopped at the student’s desk.

  “It’s not your business and you know it.”

  The student shifted uncomfortably. “Right, but it’s a hard sell when the people teaching this stuff don’t buy it.”

  “We do.”

  A hush came over the class as the students processed Tank’s brief, but telling, statement.

  Becky simply tried not to blush or look uncomfortable. Speaking was out of the question. Never had her personal habits - her most intimate activities - been subject to public discussion; at least not while she was present.

  Tank turned toward the front of the room again, giving Becky a pained look. She nodded slightly. What else could he have done?

  “Won’t last.”

  “Excuse me?” Tank stopped and slowly faced the young man again.

  The kid shrugged and smirked at another student across the aisle. Tank looked hard at him and then asked him to stand. Grumbling, he got to his feet and glanced around the room, looking for an audience. He finally looked up at Tank and swallowed.

  “I don’t answer to you.” Tank’s voice was low and unsettling. “Ms. Jacobs doesn’t answer to you. What we teach is important, and if you don’t want to take it seriously, get out. Now.”

  He towered for a moment and the student didn’t move. Tank turned to the rest of the class, scanning the room to make sure he had everyone’s attention.

  He did.

  “Ms. Jacobs and I are trying to help you with a very personal life decision. We are also dating. How we apply this class material to our relationship is absolutely and inarguably our business and ours alone. Understood?”

  Not a word was spoken for the five minutes remaining of class time. The students worked quietly on their homework and then quickly left the room. Becky would have slunk out with the crowd, but she knew that she and Tank had to debrief. Their game had just gotten a lot more complicated.

  She waited while he stood at the door watching every student leave. When the room was empty, he closed the door and stood against it, his arms crossed. He looked like he was trying to calm down. Becky gave him space to do it.

  He finally spoke. “Can’t believe that kid.”

  “I know,” she replied, still reeling from the confrontation. “You were very cool. I’m not sure what I would have done.”

  He glanced over at her. “Thanks for letting me handle it.” He ran his hand over his head. Becky wondered how the short, spikey hair felt running through his fingers.

  “So, we made it a week, right? This might be a good time to end things,” she suggested.

  “Why?” He moved toward her and Becky fought the urge to relocate just because he was advancing. She couldn’t begin to imagine him coming at her fast. How did those guys stand up to each other on the field?

  “It’s obvious that they’re watching us. I feel like a hypocrite.”

  “Because the relationship isn’t real?” he asked.

  That sounded harsh. “Well, it’s not really fair to claim innocence when we’re not really, you know, even tempted.”

  He raised a brow.

  “Well, because this,” Becky gestured back and forth between them, “isn’t real, and well, it’s just not believable.”

  “What isn’t?”

  “Please. That we would be dating and not ...”

  He simply stood and looked at her with his arms crossed. Why couldn’t she say the words? They were teaching a sex education class, for goodness’ sake.

  “So, if we were really dating, you think we would ...”

  He wouldn’t say it either. She rolled her eyes. Good thing the class wasn’t watching this exchange.

  When her imagination caught up with her, she seriously blushed for the first time in a decade.

  “No! I don’t know! I don’t think about it.”

  “You don’t ever think about ...”

  Becky’s head shot up. “Don’t say it!”

  Tank almost smiled, which made her want to slap him and laugh out loud at the same time. It was ridiculous. She had never, ever been shy about this subject, but for some reason she couldn’t have this conversation with this man. She’d never admit that she’d thought about him from time to time ... to time. She might be done with men, but she still had her imagination.

  “I’m serious. This is getting weird,” she tried to steer them back to the matter at hand. “We have to break up. You said we would, and now it’s getting complicated.” She walked toward the window - as far away as she could get from him. “It might get difficult if we wait any longer.”

  “So we wait another week. We’ll be old news soon, and then the kids won’t care.”

  So naive. He clearly didn’t know how the gossip mill worked. The kids would be waiting to see who ended it and why, whose heart got broken and how badly. They’d be ready to pounce like vultures; so would the teachers.

  Becky felt him behind her and refused to turn around. She looked out the window at the parking lot - all the kids walking out to their cars, the busses lined up just so. She took a deep breath. The very idea of being in a relationship with the man behind her and showing restraint was ludicrous. She may not have always liked him, but she was always intensely aware of him. He had a presence that was kind of ... consuming.

  She turned halfway. He was closer than she realized.

  “What do you say? One more week?” he asked.

  “Those P.E. teachers still giving you grief?”

  This time he did smile a little. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  Becky walked around him to the desk to gather her things. “Alright. Since you begged me not to break up with you, I guess I can hang on a little longer.”

  It was possible that he growled. She turned and smiled brightly. “So, where are you taking me for dinner tonight?”

  “To the grocery store. You always cook for me on Friday nights, remember?”

  She grinned as she buckled her bag. “Yeah, that doesn’t really work for me. You go ahead and make reservations, and I’ll go home and get myself all dolled up.”

  “Reservations for tomorrow evening, then?”

  She slowed her very sassy walk to the door.

  “You are evil,” she said, her eyes narrowing at him as she fo
ught a grin. Then her expression changed entirely. “Oh, no. I totally forgot to ask if you could go out with John and Maddy tonight.”

  “If I can go out with them?”

  “No, not just you - we. They want to double-date.”

  He lost the playful expression as he considered the invitation. “So, they both know?”

  “Yep.”

  “Huh. And they want to go out with us?” He was thoughtful for a moment. “Oh, hold on. I can’t. Alex is coming in tonight. I told Grace I’d pick him up at the airport.”

  “Oh, perfect! Then we’re off the hook.”

  “When did they ask?”

  “Oh, the other night. Wednesday, I guess.”

  “I could’ve worked it out with a little more notice.”

  She refused to be chastised. “Please, like you even want to go. I’ll just tell them it didn’t work out.”

  “We’ll do it another time.”

  “Time’s running out,” she reminded him. “Only one more week and you’re free. Remember?”

  She turned and left the room, leaving Tank looking less than cheery.

  twenty

  “Tank.”

  “Most people say ‘hello’ when they answer their phone.”

  He’d spoken to her less than five hours ago, yet his adrenaline kicked in at the sound of her voice.

  “Oh, hey Becky, I was going to call you. See if you wanted to grab a late bite.” He was back from the airport earlier than expected. There still might be time to connect.

  “Yeah, right,” she replied.

  “Can I pick you up in fifteen? How about the Pizza Place?”

  “You don’t sound right.” There was a pause. “Oh, that’s right. You’re with Alex.”

  “Yep.”

  “Gotcha. Well, I was the one who called you, so we’ll do my thing. Maddy and John are asking if you still want to join us for a drink or something when you get home. So go ahead and pretend I said ‘yes.’ ”

  Tank grinned. “Okay. Where do you want to meet?”

  “We’re at Wally’s Watershed.”

  “Wally’s what?”

  “Watershed. Great spot. Off highway H, just a mile or so out of town. Head west off Main Street. Just come whenever you get in.”

  “Sounds great.”

  “They have a band, Tank. And a dance floor. You’ll love it.”

  Tank swallowed a moan. “Perfect.”

  “I like your pretend nice phone voice, Tank. Very convincing.”

  “Okay, see you in a bit.”

  “Bye-bye.”

  Her sing-song, mocking salutation entertained him, despite the evening’s threat of music and dancing. Tank tossed his phone into the center console, hoping Alex hadn’t heard Becky’s end of the conversation. The man beside him sat looking out the window and politely drumming his fingers to the music on the radio.

  “You been to Wally’s ... whatever?” Tank asked.

  Alex grinned. “Watershed. Yes, indeed. You’re in for a treat.”

  “Do they really have a dance floor?”

  “Yep. Good food, though. Interesting atmosphere.”

  “Guess I’ll find out soon enough.”

  “Guess so.”

  Tank drove for a few minutes. “Mind if I drop you at the shop?”

  “That’d be great.”

  Tank tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, then made the expected request: “You take good care of my sister.”

  Alex smiled, but there was a serious edge beneath the gentle demeanor that Tank always found reassuring. “I will.”

  ***

  Tank walked into Wally’s and looked around with a half smile. The place had Maine written all over it, with fishnet curtains and old lobster cages stacked in the corners. A band played on the small stage and people were actually dancing. He shuddered. Luckily, the smell of burgers and seafood ensured that he could still get a bite to eat. His stomach rumbled at the prospect.

  Cautiously approaching the dance floor, Tank took advantage of his height to survey the room. He’d decided to make the most of fake-dating Becky on this particular evening. For whatever reason, and he wasn’t going there, treating her like a real date sounded good. If it ended up softening her up a bit so that she agreed to the favor he needed from her, all the better. Beyond that, he wasn’t going to think about it.

  It didn’t take long to find Becky’s table, or to realize that she already had a friend with her. He wasn’t sitting with them, but he rested his arm on the booth and leaned toward her in a way that indicated he hoped to stay a while. Becky’s smile was all welcome. Tank blitzed the table.

  John stood to greet him, Maddy glanced with concern at the intruder, and Becky just looked surprised. She shouldn’t have; she’d invited him to join her little party. Tank drew a breath and shook John’s hand.

  “John, Maddy.” He turned and towered. “Becky.”

  “Hi, Tank. This is Travis. Travis, Tank.”

  She made the introduction without hesitation. Tank shook the man’s hand. He had a few inches, maybe ten years, and likely fifty pounds on the kid, but Travis, or whoever, was definitely in shape.

  “Travis,” he said.

  Travis gave him a measured look that spoke volumes.

  “Tank Kimball.” Admiration won out as recognition surfaced. “Cool to meet you.”

  “Thanks. Same here.”

  “Travis works for John during the summer,” Becky explained.

  Disappointment flashed across Travis’ face, and Tank wondered what Becky had left out. There was definitely a history there, though he was under the impression that Becky hadn’t moved to Maine until the fall.

  They stood for a moment, and then Travis finally excused himself. “Good to see you guys. Looking forward to checking out the apartment, John.” He turned to Becky. “Really nice to see you again, Becky. Take care.”

  Tank watched as he walked away, then sat down in the booth, making decided contact with his date. He leaned his shoulder into hers for good measure.

  “Cheating on me, already?” he asked quietly. Playful jealousy covered any traces of the real thing.

  Becky tried to get comfortable with the little space he’d left her. “Have you got enough room? Because I’m sure they could get you a chair,” she replied, predictably ignoring his question.

  Grinning, he nudged his thigh into hers. “Naw, I’m good.” He picked up a menu from the center of the table and popped it open. “Can I still order a meal?”

  “We figured you’d have eaten already.” Sweet Becky made him feel right at home.

  “I did.” He flipped through the pages. “But I’ll need something to wash my drink down.”

  A subtle battle continued under the table as Becky pushed into Tank in response to his nudge. The progression called for a lean, and he accomplished this with little, visible-above-the-table effort. Becky tried to make her resulting body shift look natural, but wasn’t particularly successful.

  “So, I hear you’re teaching drama at the high school,” John said casually.

  Tank and Becky jerked their heads up.

  “I’m sure the kids are learning a lot about acting,” Maddy agreed.

  Before Tank could comment, John’s phone rang, diverting his and Maddy’s focus. Tank hesitated only briefly before hooking his foot around Becky’s ankle, locking her into place. She changed tactics by going for a leg grab. Big mistake. He snagged her hand before she did any damage, barely keeping a hold of his menu in the process.

  With a firm hold on her, he leaned over to whisper in her ear. “If you want to hold hands, just ask.” He got a whiff of Beckiness and postponed his retreat by a second or two.

  “I think somebody’s ticklish,” she whispered back, trying to loosen her hand from his, no doubt preparing for another attack.

  He admired her determination, but there was no way she’d win this particular event. Tank was extremely competitive, and, too bad for Becky, much bigger. He kept a hold of her hand wh
ile he continued to look at the menu. Becky twisted and turned to no avail. He glanced down at her after he ordered his double cheeseburger platter.

  “Jumpy tonight?”

  She wrinkled her nose at him in a very teenager-y way. They’d spent too much time in the classroom.

  “I’m sorry, we have to take off,” John said, standing. “Parker’s got an upset stomach, and Frank’s good will only goes so far.” He grinned wryly and laid a few bills on the table.

  “Bummer,” Tank replied, genuinely sorry for the little guy, and maybe especially for Frank.

  “Would have been fun,” Maddy said, eyeing them with interest. “You good with a ride?”

  Becky looked at Tank.

  “Sure,” he said.

  Maddy smiled. “Okay, well, we’d better run.”

  “Hope Parker’s okay,” Becky replied, pausing in her effort to free herself.

  “Me, too,” Maddy replied, slipping her coat on. “You two have fun.” They said their good-byes, and John and Maddy made their way across the dance floor.

  “Why don’t you move over there?” Becky gestured with her free hand. “No need to crowd in on the same side.”

  Tank glanced at the two chairs on the other side of the table. “Why do they have chairs on one side and a bench on the other?” he asked, still holding her hand. “Who would ever pick the chairs?”

  “You would,” Becky replied, leaning into him and trying to shove him out of the booth.

  He grinned. “Nice try.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “C’mon - move!” she shoved again. “I need some space.”

  Tank, unmoved, continued to grin at her efforts. “No, it’s definitely more fun on this side.”

  A couple from a nearby table approached them. “Okay if we borrow your chairs?” the woman asked.

  “No problem,” Tank responded. “We’re not using them.”

  Becky swallowed her objection as the chairs and the couple moved away.

  “What’s your deal?” she hissed.

  Tank loosened his hold on her hand a little and found himself wanting to link his fingers through hers. Funny how a slightly different grip suggested a whole different kind of intimacy.