“But it is. You’re not in a school right now helping those kids that need you.”
“I don’t need to be in a school to help kids. I’m helping your daughter right now.” Meghan was off in her own little world without a single worry in her mind. She wished she could be like that. Lost, alone in her thoughts, and not out here with Drew where he made it impossible to ignore him.
He locked their fingers together. “What would you do if I was to kiss you right now?”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?” he asked.
“Don’t kiss me. Don’t make this harder than it already is.”
“When are you going to learn, Callie? It’s only as hard as you make it. You can kiss me.”
“I’ll get fired.”
“And I’ll take care of you.”
“But what happens when you get bored? When you move on from the rebound girl, what happens then? Don’t forget you’re still married. What we’re doing, it will affect your divorce.”
“No, it won’t.”
“Don’t be so delusional, Drew. There’s more at stake here than you realize.” She got to her feet. “Meghan, I think it’s time we went to play on the swings. Do you want to?” she asked.
Callie had to get away. The temptation he offered was so strong and she needed to be stronger, to not fall for him, to not fall for the possibilities of a future with him.
Chapter Eight
Drew wasn’t happy.
He’d found the professor.
Tapping his pen on the desk, he considered the number for a contact right in front of him. The phone just sat near the edge of his desk. He could pick it up, make the call, and he’d set some wheels in motion.
Callie wanted him.
He saw it in her eyes but she was also afraid, and he got that. He understood it.
This chemistry between them, it shook him to his very core as well. If he’d known what it would feel like to have her belong to him, he’d have been all over her in high school.
“It would seem you’re a damn good lawyer,” Callum said. “All charges were dropped on your delinquent. No case to answer to. His parents called. A nice bonus for you, believe me.” His brother sat down. “Why are you not happy?”
“I knew the outcome, Callum. Nothing to be happy about. I got an asshole free rein to be an asshole again. Nothing to celebrate.”
“What’s your problem?” Callum asked.
“Nothing.”
His brother got up and walked around the desk. Drew made no move to hide it. “Why are you glaring at the picture of a professor?”
“Because he’s the one who pushed Callie out of college.” The words slipped from his mouth.
“This thing with Callie, it’s getting serious.”
Drew didn’t say anything.
“Drew, talk to me.”
“Nothing to talk about.”
“What did this professor do?”
He gave him a shortened-down version of what he knew.
Callum whistled. “Maybe you want to think about why you wish to tear this man’s head off,” he said.
“I know why I want to. I don’t need you to analyze me right now.”
“What do you need from me then?”
“I don’t know, to tell me I shouldn’t go and beat the crap out of this guy.”
“You really shouldn’t. For one, you’re a lawyer, and second, you’re not in high school anymore. Do you think you don’t deserve to have your ass beaten for what you did?”
“I’m not disputing that, but come on, this guy needs it. What if he’s hurting other girls?”
“It says he’s retired.” Callum sat back in his chair.
Drew tapped his finger against the counter.
“This woman is certainly not like Tilly.”
“No, she’s not.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
“Do you want to let her go?”
“No!” He growled the word and glared at his brother. “Stop with all the deep and meaningful bullshit. I’m not going to lose Callie.”
“If you beat the shit out of this professor, you will.”
“It’ll make me feel better.”
“I’m going to bite. Why?” Callum asked.
Drew was silent.
“I took a psychology course back in college. A long time ago but it has served me well with my kids. I’m going to impart some of my wisdom here.”
“You’re not a psychiatrist, Callum. I don’t need you to do your voodoo on me or anything.” He slumped back in his chair.
“Yeah, and I don’t listen to you, so I’m going to go ahead with this.” Callum cleared his throat. “You’re after this professor because of your own guilt. Callie has gotten under your skin. You two aren’t strangers. You’re enemies, at least you were back in high school. She was the nerd, and you were the jock. You were an asshole to her. You’re wanting to beat up the professor because you can’t beat the shit out of yourself.”
Drew glared at his brother.
“I’m totally right. You see, this is why I’m awesome.”
“How does Leah put up with you?” he asked.
“Simple, her head is way bigger than mine. We complement each other.”