“I think that’s a smart move,” her father said, oblivious to the deep blush spreading over Haley’s face as she once again shifted her gaze back to her napkin.
“Doesn’t she have to have a special degree to teach high school kids?” Martha demanded in a bored tone that pretty much said that she really didn’t care. “She teaches preschool, doesn’t she? I really don’t think they’re going to hire her to teach teenagers.”
“I’ll look into that tomorrow,” Haley said, not bothering to look up from her napkin.
What the hell was going on here?
This had to be a fucking joke, Jason thought as he leaned back in his seat and discreetly looked around the expensively decorated room for hidden cameras. There was just no way that his sweet little grasshopper came from such a cold family.
“If you’re thinking of going back to college, perhaps you should look into a real career,” Mrs. Blaine said, sending him an apologetic smile that really said that she didn’t give a fuck that she’d just insulted him, “I’m sure your father would be more than happy to pay for law school or medical school.”
“Of course,” her father said absently as he checked his cellphone. “Just make sure you send my secretary the tuition bill like you did the last time.”
Haley’s hand stilled halfway to her water glass and Jason had to frown. Her grandmother made sure that he knew that Haley had worked three jobs to put herself through college and that she’d absolutely refused any help from her family. He’d never understood why until now.
“Perhaps she should apply to wherever Mr. Bradford attended if she wishes to teach high school. What college did you attend, Mr. Bradford?” Mrs. Blaine asked as she sent a small wave to someone at another table.
“Harvard,” he said, looking around the table and noting the bored expressions. This family dinner was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. He was used to large meals with warm, welcoming expressions and fights over seconds. This dinner was cold and clinical and he couldn’t help but think that Haley didn’t belong. She was warm, sweet, and full of life.
Mr. Blaine grinned. “A fellow alumnus,” he said, holding his drink up in salute. “Your father wouldn’t happen to be Richard Bradford, would he? He and I attended law school together. Brilliant man.”
Jason took a sip of his water and shook his head. “No, my father’s name is Jared. He owns a construction company in Meddletown.
Mr. Blaine frowned slightly. “Well, I suppose your father’s company does quite well if he could afford to send you to Harvard.”
“Yes, he does well, but I actually attended on a scholarship,” Jason said, not surprised when Mr. Blaine’s expression turned back to disapproving.
As a scholarship student, he’d been treated little better than the hired help. He’d received gratitude, gifts, and slaps on the back when he played football and when he wasn’t scoring touchdowns, he was expected to work his ass off and do what he was told without complaint.
They hadn’t expected much from him. He doubted they even expected him to attend class, but he had. He’d worked his ass off to graduate a year and a half early, pissing the alumni off. They’d been hellbent on getting four years of football out of him on an academic scholarship, but he hadn’t cared. He’d made damn sure that he got his education as quickly as possible since he knew that if he got hurt on the football field and couldn’t play any longer that they wouldn’t hesitate throwing his ass out the door.
“I think she should think about settling down,” Rose, at least he thought the one sitting next to him was Rose, said, making him sweat. Christ, judging from the looks they’d been sending him since he’d sat down, it was obvious that they all thought that he was her boyfriend. Him, married with children?
Hell no.
Maybe he should just-
“I’m sure Edward can think of several men who would be interested in our Haley,” Rose suggested.
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Mr. Blaine agreed wholeheartedly.
Wait, what?
“John probably knows some men that would be interested as well. Don’t you, John?” Martha asked.
John looked away from another waitress’s ass and nodded. “I’m sure I can think of several men who would like to meet her,” John murmured absently as his gaze landed on another woman’s ass.
Was he the only one who realized that he’d just been insulted? This was bullshit. He was a fucking great catch. Plenty of women, much to his horror, wanted to marry him. He was just about to tell them that when something caught his attention.
A little snort of laughter.
He turned his glare on Haley as she shook with silent laughter. They were disrespecting his manliness and she was laughing at him?
What the hell?
“Haley, are you alright?” Mrs. Blaine asked, frowning in distaste as she watched Haley struggle to stop laughing her ass off at him.
Haley, it seemed, could only nod.
