Deviation

“Same as Aiden and me.”

“Something like that. I knew teaching in a poor school district would aggravate them, but I truly believed all kids deserved a chance at a good education. I was all set to apply to a graduate teaching program. I truly loved being in the classroom. So I picked an assignment at a school with the lowest math scores in the state.” I could feel that old passionate seed of teaching within me that I once made my peace with until Dean Andrews presented me with the opportunity to adjunct.

“And then you met Edith.”

“Yes. Even then, I knew there was something special about her. The way she held her head up high when kids teased her, bullied her. She really was a diamond in the rough. Then I followed her home one day. I saw where she lived and it…it affected me. For the first time, I realized that all the education in the world wouldn’t fix things like unloving parents.”

“It’s bad, isn’t it?”

Nodding is about all I can do without getting upset all over again. “Let’s just say she has a reason for never talking about her parents. Now that I’ve met her mother, I understand completely. Edith was dealt a shitty hand and worked hard to get out of it.”

“I’m glad she has you, Jack. I hate that I’m leaving her right now, but I have to do this. I think she’d be more pissed if I didn’t go.”

“You say that like there’s something else motivating you to leave.”

Shelby avoids looking at me. I don’t want to overstep my bounds, but we’re all harboring things we shouldn’t right now. We formed our little foursome and we need to support each other.

“Aiden wouldn’t understand, and I just need to do this.” The girl who usually says whatever she’s thinking is now as tight-lipped as Edith. She places a hand over her stomach before hugging her purse protectively. It’s obvious something is brewing.

“Shelby, you’re Edith’s best friend. Just know that I’m here for you, too.” We exchange a smile and she mumbles her thanks.

My phone rings, its screen lighting up. It’s Amanda, the constant pain in the ass. I was happy to be out of that relationship, wanting no reminders of the time I shared with her. I’m about to click the IGNORE button when Shelby’s quick fingers beat me to answer it.

“Jack. I finally get you on the phone. Are you at the apartment? I just flew in from London. I’m dying to see you.” Her needy voice sounds nasally and irritating. Her demanding nature does nothing for me and I wish she’d just leave me alone. I tried to be nice but, apparently, that’s biting me in the ass.

My sassy passenger seems to get her moxie back, winking at me. “Listen up, bitch. This is Jack’s new girl. Stop calling him, or I’ll beat yo’ ass when I see you hanging around the apartment. I’ve tossed your sex toys in the trash, cleaning out the apartment. Move on, or get ready for an ass whoopin!”

Eyes wide, I stifle a laugh. I don’t think Amanda’s boarding school upbringing, sorority sisters, and ski trips to Lake Tahoe could prepare her for the wrath of Shelby, valiant best friend.

“I’ll be here when he kicks you to the curb. I’m a woman of class. You’re nothing but that student slut making a move on my man.” I wonder where she learned so much about Edith, but I’m careful to not say anything.

“Please, girl. I let Jack do that one thing you object to, so we’ll see who’s here a year from now. Roll out, bee-otch.”

Shelby hangs up on Amanda, who is still protesting and screeching on the phone. I’m equally grateful and amused.

“I, uh… I don’t really do that, you know.” I have no idea why I feel the need to clarify any of this, but I seriously feel hot under the collar right now.

Shelby lets it go with a mild warning. “Just say thank you and clean out the apartment when you get home. Bitch still has a box of crap in the guest bathroom.”

“How…?” I don’t even want to know how Shelby knows this, so I make a mental note to clean the place from top to bottom. I hope it’s nothing that Edith found or knows about. The last thing I want is to hurt her with my past relationships.

“God, I’ve always wanted to do something like that. Totally killed that item on my bucket list, Jack. You’re lucky I’m getting on a plane and not going to kick that bitch’s ass.”

I smirk. “Good to know.” And this is exactly why I love Edith’s friends.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Edith

After my emotionally draining session, I head to my room, hoping for a nap. Something restorative to clear out my head. When I open the door, my phone is ringing. I’m lucky to still have mine. I don’t know if Jack made a special concession or what, but most residents here aren’t allowed a phone.

Ignoring it, I grab the rubber ball Shelby slipped into my bag. I chuckle, thinking about how it ruined our roommate days. I would bounce it on the wall, catch it, and bounce it again. The constant thumping drove her nuts, so she would often hide it on me. When the stress of school and finances wore me thin, that repetitive action calmed me like nothing else.

My roommate, Kayla, walks in and plops down next to me. She would be a pretty girl if she didn’t have the visible track marks trailing up her arms, or the scars of slicing her wrists open on more than one occasion. Scary shit I learned on my first day here. I don’t want to be that girl, but I don’t want to be the girl I am, either.

“Nice. REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’,” she says. It’s Jack’s new ringtone. I understand how perverse it is, but I have a shitty

sense of humor…which isn’t lost on me at the moment.