by Krista Lakes
I shrugged, not wanting to bring him into my depressing world. “What can I do for you?”
“Just wanted to quickly check in with you about Emily,” he said, stepping into my office.
He looked so damn handsome in his gray slacks and white button-down shirt. It made him look so professional and put together and sexy. I tried not to stare blatantly at him, but it was a battle I was loosing. Those light blue eyes of his could have made me melt in the middle of a snow storm. They always drew me in and for some reason that I couldn't explain, they always felt safe.
“She looks great. Everything with her and the baby looks normal,” I replied. I rattled off the numbers I'd put in the chart.
Dr. Matthews nodded as he listened. “Okay, great. I'll let you get on with your day. Just wanted to touch base before I saw Emily.”
“Sure thing,” I said, with a soft chuckle. “It's no problem.”
He cocked his head to the side. “You sure everything's okay, Hannah?”
“Yeah, of course.” I managed a real smile this time. It was easy when he was around.
“It just seems like you've got something on your mind,” he said, crossing his arms and waiting for me to bare all my secrets. I was half tempted. I wanted to bare things to him.
I shrugged. “It's still early. Maybe I need more coffee.”
“Coffee can never hurt,” he said with a smile.
“Yeah, you're right about that.” I reached for my cup and took a sip. It was lukewarm but still better than nothing. My coffee could hold my secrets for now.
“Okay.” He flashed me a quick smile and walked away. I'd be lying if I said I didn't watch him for a little longer than someone should realistically watch their boss.
I sighed and focused my attention back to my computer. I had work to do and me sitting there moping about things wasn't going to get it done. Moping wouldn't fix things, but working would at least accomplish something.
“Hannah, room two is here,” Donna called to me.
Time to get back to work.
Chapter 2
When the work week was over and Saturday finally rolled around, I decided to wake up a little early. Even though it was my day off, I still had a lot of things to do. My parents, who lived on the other side of town from me, were having a BBQ. It was always a huge event and it only seemed to grow every year. Half the town would end up making an appearance. Some I'm pretty sure only came for the free food, but others were genuinely interested in keeping in touch with my parents.
My dad was an active member of the town's Gentleman's Poker Society and my mother went to every Ladies' Bridge Club meeting. The poker games were real, but the bridge games were just a means to gossip and plan out the lives of everyone else in the town. All the important people in town were members, which meant that despite having a strange daughter, my parents were pillars of the community and that everyone knew who they were.
The thought crossed my mind that this might be my dad's last BBQ and my ribs tightened around my heart. I shook my head, trying not to be negative. If this was his last BBQ, I was going to make sure it was a good one and not bring gloomy thoughts with me.
I rolled out of bed and looked out my window at the morning sunshine. The view that sprawled in front of me was like something out of a farmer's magazine. My house was on the outside of town, which meant that my backyard consisted of nothing but miles and miles of corn fields. I found it beautiful and incredibly peaceful, especially in the early summer, when the corn stalks were still dark green. It looked like an ocean of lush foliage against a bright blue sky, laid out in front of me as far as the eye could see.
In the distance, a lonely red tractor puttered across my view. The sound of the motor combined with the sweet smell of summer grass triggered childhood memories. I opened the window and drew in a long breath, sucking up the humid air.
There are things I love about this place, I thought. It's worth it to be back here.
Shutting the window, I wrapped myself in my robe and went downstairs to start a pot of coffee. While it heated up, I glanced around my little house. Fifty years ago, it had been my grandparent's farm house. When my grandparents passed years ago, they'd left it to my parents and they'd used it as a second home for guests. When we got my dad's diagnosis, they were happy to give it to me so I could be close.
I smiled as I looked around the cheerful yellow kitchen with an old avocado colored stove and worn cabinets. I had so many happy childhood memories in this place. My mother and I would spend summer afternoons in this kitchen, chatting with my grandmother as she baked cookies. My mother taught me how to make a casserole in this kitchen when I was sixteen.
My phone rang and I walked across the small living room to answer it. The caller ID said it was Karina, my oldest friend.
“Hello,” I said warmly into the phone, expecting to hear my friend's voice.
“Aunt Hannah!” a small girl squealed instead. It was Leigh Ann, Karina's six year old daughter.
“Well, good morning,” I said, a smile filling my face. “How's my favorite goddaughter doing today?”
“I'm good,” she replied. “I wanted to make sure you were coming to the BBQ today. Mom said she wasn't sure.”
“Of course I'll be there,” I promised. “I wouldn't miss it.”
“Good, because I miss you, Aunt Hannah,” Leigh Ann said. “I want to see you.”
My heart melted and it was all I could do to not tear up. “I miss you, too. I'm looking forward to seeing you today. Maybe we can play horseshoes.”
“Yay! Horseshoes!” Leigh Ann squealed. “Mom! Aunt Hannah said she'll play horseshoes with me.”
“That's great, honey.” I heard Leigh Ann's mom, Karina, in the background. We'd been best friends since the third grade, when we snuck frogs into Mrs. Stone's lunchbox.
“Can I talk to your mom real quick?” I asked Leigh Ann.
“Yeah, here she is,” Leigh Ann said.
A moment later, Karina came on the line.
“Hey,” she greeted me. “I hear you’re in town, but I haven't seen you for more than five minutes.”
I chuckled, knowing that we'd stayed so long in a restaurant we were kicked out just a week before. Still, for being in town, I hadn't seen my friend as much as I would have liked.
“I know, and I'm sorry. I'm still getting settled,” I said. “I think I'm finally settled in at work. We'll do something soon. Promise.”
“Good. I need some more wine time,” Karina replied. “Leigh Ann, do not climb on the counter tops. If you need to climb something, you can go outside.”
From the background I heard a “but, Mo-om,” followed by a brief pause and then the sound of the backdoor opening and shutting.
“How long until summer is over?” Karina asked. “I don't know if I'm going to make it.”
“It's barely June,” I replied with a chuckle. “She driving you crazy already?”
“Yes. Her kindergarten teacher was a saint. I can't wait for her to start school again.”
“She's going to be in first grade this year, right?” I asked, shaking my head. I couldn't believe my little goddaughter was already in first grade. It felt like just yesterday that she was born. I was one of the few people that Karina had wanted in the delivery room, and was one of the first to meet Leigh Ann.
“Yup. She's so excited for the full day, but I'm thinking I'm looking forward to it more,” Karina joked.
“You realize in two years, Leigh Ann will be the same age that we were when we met?”
“My God, that's scary to think about,” she said, laughing. “I really hope she doesn't pull the frog stunt. I was grounded for a month after that.”
“Yeah, me too,” I said. “Worth it though.”
“Definitely. Seeing that mean old teacher scream was awesome.” She laughed and let out a nostalgic sigh. “Anyway, do you want me to bring anything specific to the BBQ today?”
“I can ask my parents, but I'm guessing that you don't nee
d to worry about it,” I said. “They'll probably have tons of food and drinks. Maybe bring some chips and salsa if you have some.”
“I can do that,” she said. “Well, I don't need to keep you on the phone since I'll being seeing you in a couple of hours. Just wanted to hear your voice since I've almost forgotten what it sounded like.”
“Very funny. We both know you couldn't ever forget my voice,” I said. “But yes, I'm looking forward to seeing you guys today.”
“Me too,” she replied. “And I know Leigh Ann is. All she has been talking about all week is how excited she is to see her Aunt Hannah.”
“Aw, that's sweet,” I said. “Tell her I can't wait to see her, too.”
“Will do,” Karina said. “Oh, hey. I heard Dr. Matthews might come. Is that true?”
My heart skipped a beat at his name. “I haven't heard, but I did invite him.”
“I wanted him to check this bug bite on Leigh Ann,” Karina explained. “It's just so red.”
“I'll make sure to take a look at it,” I promised. “If it's bad, I'll let you know.”
“You can do that?” Karina asked.
“I'm a nurse, so yes.” I shrugged.
“I didn't know you knew stuff like that,” Karina replied.
“Why do you think I went to school for four years?” I asked, rolling my eyes. “I don't just wear a short skirt and say 'thank you, doctor' in a breathy voice all day. I actually know medical things.”
“Whoa, sorry.” I could hear Karina take a step back. “I didn't mean to insult you.”
I sighed. “No, I'm sorry. It's just that everybody in town thinks I don't do anything. That I didn't get a crap ton of training and experience.”
“We've just never had a real nurse like you before,” Karina explained. “Dr. Matthews is lucky to have you. We all are.”
“Thanks.” I sighed again. “We good?”
“We're always good,” Karina assured me. “Hey, is it weird to work with Dr. Matthews? I mean, you tutored him in high school and now he's your boss.”
“He's changed since high school,” I told her. “He's not a punk kid anymore.”
“Thank heaven. Remember when he punched out Aiden for drinking all his booze at that after party?”
“Yeah.” I shook my head. It seemed like Jacob Matthews was always in trouble when we were in school. If you wanted booze or a party, he was the guy to go to. He had been trouble back then.
“He's a lot better now. There's no way I'd let him touch my kid otherwise,” Karina agreed. “Okay, I'll see you in a couple hours. Thanks for looking at the bite. ”
“Anytime.”
She hung up the phone and I did the same. I walked over to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee. It was good and warm in my hands as I took a sip.
I looked out my window and toward town. My thoughts went to Dr. Matthews and how much he'd changed since high school. How much we'd both changed.
I wasn't quite such an ugly duckling. He wasn't the bad boy. I let my thoughts drift to the first day that we really talked. The first day that my crush went into overdrive.
Chapter 3
Fifteen Years Ago: Riversville High School
* * *
“You're late, Mr. Matthews.”
I peeked over the top of my book to see Jacob Matthews saunter into Mr. Elway's classroom. He had on a black leather jacket, tight jeans, and a careless grin.
“So add it on to my time,” he replied nonchalantly, spinning a chair to sit backwards at one of the classroom tables.
Mr. Elway sighed. “You have no idea how much I'm bending the rules for you. I don't allow students to retake the exams, but your parents...”
“Yeah, yeah. My parents.” Jacob rolled his eyes. “My mom is on city council and my dad's the police chief. They get what they want.”
“Yes.” Mr. Elway adjusted his tie. He always wore a dress shirt and tie to teach class. No other teacher dressed up like he did. They didn't need to in a small town, but Mr. Elway wanted the best for his students. “Your parents have convinced me to make a special case for you.”
Jacob shrugged and looked bored. My book lowered slightly as I tried to get a good look at him. As the nerdy goody-two-shoes, we weren't exactly going to the same social parties. We technically had gym class together, but Jacob almost never came. He almost never came to any of his classes, where I went religiously to everyone and as many academic activities as I could fit.
I was fairly sure that he didn't even know I existed. He was gorgeous. I was plain. My hair was cut too short and it frizzed terribly any time there was a hint of humidity. With summer only a month away, my hair was full on Bozo the clown.
I tugged on my shirt, wishing I hadn't had that extra cookie with lunch. I was terrible at sports, so marching band was the only physical activity I really had and the season had ended in November. It was May. As a result, I was on the chubby side. My mother promised me that I'd grow out of it, but I'd been hearing that promise for the past four years. I was beginning to doubt it.
“So what do you want me to do?” Jacob asked with a shrug. “You are the only teacher that isn't passing me.”
“I pass those that do the work,” Mr. Elway replied. “The others may let you off, but I see greatness in you. You're smarter than you let on.”
“If you say so, professor.” Jacob managed a cool shrug, but for a moment I thought I saw something cross his face at what Mr. Elway had said. I wasn't sure if it was fear or pride. “You still haven't told me what I'm doing here.”
“The work,” Mr. Elway replied. He motioned to a table at the end of the classroom. I'd spent the last twenty minutes setting it up as Mr. Elway's classroom assistant. There was a microscope and slides as well as some plant spores to look at. “You'll make up every lab and every test if you want to pass the class.”
Jacob looked at the microscope and looked completely unimpressed. “I didn't learn it the first time. What makes you think I'll learn it this time?”
“You didn't bother to show up the first time. And this time, Miss O’Leary will be teaching you,” Mr. Elway informed him. “She'll be making sure you pass.”
My eyes went wide and I dropped my book with a thud.
This was supposed to be my free-study hour. I was Mr. Elway's classroom assistant, not a teacher. I was supposed to help him grade papers and set up labs for the upcoming classes, not show the hottest bad boy in school how to use a microscope.
Jacob turned and looked at me, the full weight of his blue eyes hitting mine. He was so damn handsome it wasn't fair. I blushed hard and wished I could just sink beneath the desk and die.
“Hannah, you set up the lab. You know how it works.” Mr. Elway motioned to the microscope. “I have a meeting. I want a full report when I get back.”
“Wait, you're not going to be here?” I squeaked. I wasn't prepared for this. If I had known, I would have worn a totally different outfit. I would have attempted to do something with my hair. I would have been violently ill and missed the day entirely.
Mr. Elway picked up his suit jacket from the back of his chair and smiled at me. “You can do this. If anyone can, it's you.”
He gave me a warm smile and left the room.
I was alone in the biology classroom with Jacob Matthews. This was something that I'd dreamed of but never dared even think it might actually happen. He was the hot bad boy. I was the geeky good girl.
I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves. I stood up and walked over to the lab table, frantically trying to remember exactly what was in this lab. Five minutes ago I knew, but that was before I had to explain it to Jacob.
“Okay. Um, I guess we should get started. We'll start with orienting you to the microscope,” I said, hoping that I sounded more confident than I felt.
“What makes you qualified?” Jacob asked, his blue eyes looking me up and down. I felt exposed and far too big for the room when he looked at me.
“Other than Mr. Elway putt
ing me in charge?” I asked, crossing my arms. “I passed this class two years ago. I passed AP Bio last year. I've spent the past semester helping teach this course to sophomores. You're a senior. How come you have to take bio?”
He watched me for a moment, his expression blank as he evaluated me. Then he shrugged. “I need one more science class to graduate. Mr. Elway didn't pass me, so I have to retake it.”
I nodded. “Okay. That makes sense.”
“Can you just pass me? Tell Elway that I did an okay job?” He put his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. “I'll pay you if you want.”
I frowned. “You can't buy me. You're gonna learn this.”
His eyebrows raised. “And you're gonna teach me?”
“Yeah. It's not like Brock the Jock is gonna walk in here and teach you about mitochondria.”
He rolled his eyes. “This is so stupid.”
“It is not,” I replied. He looked up surprised at the force in my voice. I was rather passionate about biology and learning. I loved biology. “It's not stupid.”
“Says you.”
“Biology is basically the study of sex,” I told him, remembering something I'd read online. I had no idea where I was getting the courage to be sassy from, but I wasn't going to back down now. “I thought you'd be better at it than that.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Jacob held up his hands. “The nerd has some fire.”
I crossed my arms and glared at him.”I'm not going to lie to Mr. Elway.”
He leaned back in his seat. “You said it was about sex? How is a microscope like sex?”
I was just glad he didn't ask me how someone like me would know about sex.
“How about you look in it and find out,” I replied. “This lab is all about plant spores. You get to watch plant sex.”
“You into that voyeurism, nerd?” Jacob asked. My face heated. I was sure that I was going to be a vibrant shade of red for the rest of my life.
“Just look in the microscope,” I replied.
He chuckled and rose gracefully from his chair and sauntered over to the lab area. “Show me what to do.”