“Nothing like yours. They had high expectations for how we all did in school, always telling us that we needed to do our best. They haven’t always been happy with the path I’ve chosen since high school, probably wishing I’d chosen one that ended with a college degree and full-time job with benefits, but I still feel loved by them.”
Polly swallowed and wiped her mouth on her napkin. “If you’re making good money, what’s the problem? Is it just the stability that a college degree can give you? A college degree isn’t always synonymous with making a lot of money.”
“Where were you when I needed you all these years?” I shook my head. “It’s the stability, I think. My momma’s a worrier. I think me having a degree would help her worry less.”
“So, if you were, say, a teacher. Would they be happy with that even if you didn’t make a lot of money?”
“Are you a mind reader, Miss Polly Alberton?”
Polly picked up her donut. “No. Why? Is teaching something you’ve thought about?”
I looked down at the table, wiping at an imaginary smudge. “Yes, actually. I’ve always liked working with kids. They’re mindful. Optimistic. The way they see the world is simpler, somehow. I like the idea of working with middle schoolers, which is a time when they’re just starting to lose that. I’d like to help them hold onto that a little longer. I’d like to help them see their potential, believing in them even if no one else does. I’d probably make less money than I do now, but that’s not why I’d be going into teaching in the first place. And now with my parents moving to Florida, I wouldn’t have to stay close to help out as much.”
The last thing I said put a cute little furrow in her brow. I brushed my lips against it to smooth it out.
“Is money the reason you never pursued teaching? Or because you wanted to help your parents?”
“I’ve never beenkeen,”I laid into the word playfully, making Polly roll her eyes, "on wasting money on a degree until I was sure about what I wanted to do with my life. As for my folks, while I don’t look at them as a burden, I guess I was hesitating, not wanting to commit to a college program, wondering what might happen if I wasn’t around to help take care of them. I don’t think they’ll get the same support with Kent down in Florida. But, they’re looking at a condo, so maybe it’ll be alright. No need for a live-in maintenance man.” I pointed at myself.
Eyes soft, Polly stroked my cheek. “You’re a good son, you know that?”
I leaned into her touch. Her fingers were a little rough, providing a kind of friction against my skin that felt unreal.
I turned slowly in my chair and leaned into her space. “I think we’ve had enough conversation for a while, don’t you?”
Polly’s eyes dropped to my groin, then back up to me, eyebrows lifting in silent question. I let a slow grin spread over my face, grabbing her hand and bringing it to Big Sir, who was making a valiant comeback. Her eyes went wide and I chuckled, letting a little of the devil into my voice as I rasped, “Darlin’, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
POLLY
I’ve never had casual sex. I’ve honestly never understood the impulse; sex is so supremely intimate. I give away a nonrefundable piece of myself, every time.
Christina Lauren,Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating
Floating on a cloud of blissed-out contentment, snuggling next to a very naked Jace Vargas, I could only imagine my face could be described in one way: dreamy.
Sex with Jace was indescribable. That time in the shower . . . I shivered. I’d done something I never thought I’d have the guts to do—acting out something from a book during sex. It made me feel strong and powerful. David never even knew I liked to read books, and I never had any intention of telling him; he would have only written it off as frivolous smut.
“What’s going through that head of yours?” Jace asked, trailing his fingers up and down my arm.
“Certainly not that time in the shower,” I teased, deciding to keep my reading hobby to myself for another day . . . or forever.
Jace’s chest vibrated beneath my cheek. “Believe me, that will live on repeat in my brain for years to come.”
I turned my head, brushing my lips over his chest, still marveling that I was even allowed to do that.
“What did you have planned for today?”
“A million and one things. I do need to reach out to some providers for the school this afternoon.” I gave him a little squeeze. “But I don’t regret taking this time with you.”
Hugging me to his side, I felt him brush a kiss to the top of my head. “I hope not. I’ll keep the kids occupied this afternoon so you can get some work done.”
I knew it was a nice offer, but something was bothering me—something we needed to talk about.
Scooting back, I propped my hand on my hand to face him. “We need to talk about something. Two somethings, actually.”
“Would that be a girl who’s six going on sixteen and a boy that keeps beating me at Friday Night Funkin’ even though I’m trying my best?”
