“It’s the same for me, but that’s why I’m giving her time. I want her to be happy. She can do that as long as those assholes stay away from her.”
“Good boy. That’s what I wanted to hear. Now let’s get back before our wives start searching for us.”
We open the doors, and my mother and godmother are waiting outside, shaking their heads and smiling. “We hope you boys are behaving.”
“Always, my love,” my father answers with a mischievous grin.
Now to work on my plan to put the Vegas families in order and win Elsa’s love. I’m not sure which will be harder.
Chapter Four
Elsa
“Hey, honey, are you ready to start your first day back?” It’s six a.m. and I’m about to head out of the house. I start class at seven. I have four classes this semester for a total of seventeen hours.
“Yes and no. It’s going to be a bunch of introductions. Most of the learning starts in the next class.”
“How many classes do you have a week?” my father asks, walking into the kitchen in his gym clothes and covered in sweat, clearly done working out for the day. He’s looking a lot better, and his movements are sturdier. The hip and knee replacements have gone smoothly.
“I was lucky enough to schedule all my classes on Mondays through Wednesdays, but until six. Tuesday is an online class,” I say, smiling and then frowning because it’s going to be an insanely long day.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? You’re going to be so exhausted.”
“Sure, but it’s not like I’m in class the whole time. I have two breaks. And look who is talking about being exhausted.” I check the time on my phone. “It’s just after six, and you’re covered in sweat. How many miles did you run?”
“I only did two miles and my strength training. I have to keep in shape for my body to recover. Trust me when I say it’s for the best.”
“Still, Dad, I want you to be around forever.”
“I know, sweetheart,” he says, dragging me to his side and pulling me in for a hug. I tug myself away. “Eww, gross. I’m glad I didn’t change yet.” I roll my eyes and grab my protein shake.
“By the way, I know you hate all the security, so I told them to back off today.”
“Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it. They make it hard to get boys to even talk to me.”
“I’m not saying they won’t be around, but at a very far distance.”
“I understand.” They walk ten feet behind me most days, which is so damn annoying, so this is a good thing. “I’ll take what I can get.”
I wave them off and get ready so I can make the short trip to campus. I head to my first class, which thankfully is mercifully short. Math, not my favorite, but a necessary requirement for my degree. Seriously, it’s almost enough for me to give up. My teacher is brilliant, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. I’m going to have to record the lectures and listen to them repeatedly and slowly. His accent is thick and strong. Several classmates near me have their eyes wide open, leaning in as if that’s going to help them.
“Hey, don’t worry. The notes are on the class page,” the guy next to me says.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” He winks and then adds, “I’m the TA. He’s a great professor, and you’ll learn a lot.”
“I would if I could get past the heavy accent.”
“Yeah, it’s a little thick, but it’s better if you sit closer to the front.”
“I suppose I’ll try that next time.”
“Or I can tutor you,” he offers with a crooked grin. My face flattens, and then I frown.
“Thanks, but no thanks. I will just focus and try to study his inflections,” I sneer.
“Oh goodness, please don’t take me wrong. I tutor an entire group every semester. It’s not one on one. I’m sorry if it came off that way. It’s every Wednesday night.”
