I pull myself out of bed and run my hands over my thick cock. Damn, I wish she was still in bed. Pulling on my boxers, I walk out into the living room of her apartment.
Being alone in her house feels strange. I check my phone, but no missed texts. Then I see a note on the kitchen counter and I reach for it.
Mike,
Sorry, I left without saying goodbye. I have the interview in Spokane, and it's a long drive over the mountain pass.
I didn't want to wake you, you look so cute sleeping there in my bed. Take your time this morning.
Also, thank you for last night for being so good to me.
I wish we had met at a different point in our lives, but I'm so grateful to have had the time with you that I did.
Take care,
Cutie
I read the letter twice, hating every damn word of it.
Thinking of her driving across the mountains, already done with me, kills me the most. I don't want her driving away, I want her here, in my arms.
But I know it's not fair to ask her something like that.
Still, I can't shake the feeling that this isn't right.
Can't shake the feeling that all I really want is her.
* * *
When I get to shop an hour or so later, Mox is already behind the counter, looking at today's appointments.
"You okay, buddy?" he asks, looking up from the computer.
I run my hand over my jaw, feeling worse for wear. "Clementine is headed to an interview in Spokane today."
My brother shakes his head, watching me. I know him better than almost anyone, and I can tell by his expression that he has a few opinions on the matter.
"Just say it," I tell him.
"Hey, bro, I was just thinking that when you know what you want, you should go for it."
"And what if what I want isn't what she wants?"
"Go after her."
"Like, move to Spokane if she gets the job?"
"Is she worth it?"
"You know she's not the only one I need to think about," I say, my mind on my baby girl, Louisa.
Mox isn't having it. "Kids are resilient. Change is usually harder on adults. "
"You're telling me I should give up my job, my house, my life to move across the mountains to Spokane, for a girl I've known a week? Seems a little insane."
He raises his hands in defense. "Hey, I'm just throwing out ideas. No idea is bad in a brainstorm."
"I know man, I know that. It's just, this is where my life is. My home, my family. My house, my business. This is where I belong. But I belong here with her."
"Did you tell her that?"
I shake my head. "What and scare the sweet thing away? Last night, I almost told her I was falling in love with her."
"Are you almost?"
I run a hand through my hair. "There's no almost about it. She's the one. The only one."
"Then what in the hell are you doing here moaning? You need to make a plan for how to tell your girl what you want and how you want it."
"And what if she says no?" I press a finger to my temple. "Is it lame to say I don't want to get hurt again?"
Mox understands. He was there after Louisa was born. He knows how hard it's been raising her on my own.
"Nah, it's only lame if you let fear win." He pushes his lips forward. "Besides, you really think Clementine could hurt you? Walk out on you and Louisa if things were hard?"
I shake my head, thinking of Clementine's sweet face, her warm smile, her heart so big it could fill this dirty auto shop. "No. And she's stronger than she looks. That's why she's going to Spokane. Why she is chasing this job. She knows how to take care of herself."
Moxon shrugs. "Maybe you need to let her know that you're here to help take care of her now."
My brother is a good man, and maybe he was a player in the past, but he's changed now.
And his words are fucking wisdom. And exactly what I need to hear.
"So, what are you gonna do?" he asks.
"I'm gonna make a plan to get my girl."
Chapter 12
Clementine
The school is exactly like I pictured. Beautiful, pristine, brand-new. I take a long walk around the building before my interview starts, trying to calm my nerves and focus on what really matters.
My future.
I can picture myself here, in one of those classrooms, putting up the letters of the alphabet on the whiteboard, filling a jar with freshly sharpened pencils and setting them on my desk.
When I go into the office for the interview, I sit before a panel of administrators who are all there to ask me questions. Who I am and what I'm all about.
I smile. I take a deep breath and remember that I can do this. I'm a qualified teacher. I do my job well and I'm passionate about the work.