“Of course. That’s what I’m here for. As far as Nash goes, as I said before, he doesn’t hate you, but he’s scared, hurt, and fifteen. He doesn’t know how to respond. All you can do is show him you care—for Sadie and for him. It’ll take some time. He knows you don’t want to take her away from him.”
I’m not so sure he does, but I don’t argue with Sir about it. “I went swimming today. When I was stressed out after my conversations with Sadie and Nash, I went swimming, and that helped.”
His grin spreads wide at that. It’s wild to me that he can be so happy, so proud over something so small done by a random guy he dominates and makes come. It’s not like we’re more to each other, and we never can be.
“That’s very, very good. You’ve made your Sir very proud. I’ll have to bring you a reward the next time I see you.”
“What is it?” I find myself asking.
“I’m not telling. It’s a surprise.”
“I don’t do surprises.” Or maybe it’s really that no one has ever done surprises for me. I’ve never let anyone close enough for that.
“Well, you’ll do one for your Sir, won’t you? Because it would make me happy, and you want to make me happy.”
I do, and it’s incredibly frustrating. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good boy. I’m not going to make you come tonight, though. We’ll save that for another day. Is there anything else you need from me?”
I’m disappointed our call is being cut short today, but no, there’s nothing else I need from him. I just…wanted to talk to him. “No, Sir.”
“I’m going to make another phone call, then. I’ll send you a text after I talk to Han and Tasha.”
“Okay. Thank you for that. I appreciate…”You. Everything.“This…and the other stuff.”
“I know.” He smiles cockily. “That’s what I’m here for, dreamer.”
Dreamer. There goes that nickname again. I still haven’t decided what I think about it. “Good night, Sir.”
“Good night, James.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Colton
The salon isclosed on Sundays, so we decided that’s the day James and the kids would come in—that way Tasha can dedicate all her attention to Sadie, without anyone else being around, and James wouldn’t be so stressed about someone seeing us together.
After his initial agreement, I thought he was going to change his mind, as if someone would go into Tasha’s salon and automatically know the two of us were in some kind of relationship. At this point, I don’t even know what to call it. Neither of us is sleeping with anyone else, but we’re not sleeping with each other either. Clearly some type of sex is on the table because of the way I make him come, but the blue balls I’m getting might just do me in.
“Stop staring out the window.” Hannah sneaks up beside me, while I am, in fact, watching for their arrival. Tasha’s shop isn’t in Peyton. It’s about twenty minutes outside the city in a neighboring town, which is another reason I felt safe with him here.
“I can’t help it. I’m afraid he won’t show up, or that he will show up and this will be a mistake. James wants what’s best for Sadie, which is the only reason he agreed to this, but what if somehow we do get caught?”
Hannah puts her hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “First, the two of you are allowed to socialize outside of class. As long as they don’t know anything is going on between the two of you, you’ll be fine. And damn, you really like this guy, don’t you?”
The wordnosits on my tongue, but I can’t push it off. The truth is, I do really like James—much more than I expected. More than I’ve ever liked anyone I’ve done this with. He’s been through a lot, but though he doesn’t see it, James hasn’t let it hold him back. Not only has he accomplished more than most people, he has a kind heart, one that shows itself in quiet, small ways, hiding even from him.
I scratch my head. “Yeah, I do, but I can’t.”
“I think you can,” she replies.
“Now’s the worst time for either of us to be thinking about a relationship, especially one that could ruin his career. James has kids to think about now.”
“It’s only one class. It’ll be over before you know it. You keep quiet for a little while, then come out with your relationship.”
I cock a brow at her. “The relationship we don’t have? The one he doesn’t want? You’re getting a little ahead of yourself, Han, but I love you for it.” I wrap my arm around her and kiss her temple.
“I’m ready when they are,” Tash says from behind us.
