Page 38 of Tomorrow Belongs to Us
I let her go, because she is excited and happy, and Scott does that for her. Who am I to stand in her way with my silly little problems?
Chapter 16
LANCE
I almost jump out of my skin when I see a missed call from Megan.
Damn.
I’ve just set my princess down and tucked her in. She fell asleep again watching a Disney film. I rush home earlier than usual after work and our evenings are full of movies, popcorn and fun—which has meant late nights, and I pray she wakes up easily tomorrow otherwise Vivian will give me hell.
I examine my phone. Megan called me a few hours ago when Cassie and I were watching a film, and I had my phone on silence.
Double damn.
I’ve been so heavily preoccupied with Cassie, that I’ve pushed Megan to the back of my mind lately. I rush back to the spare room where I’ve been sleeping, and call back.
She doesn’t answer.
I’m curious, and delighted, because … she called me.
She. Called. Me.
My cock twitches. I haven’t had sex in two years and the thought of Megan makes it come to life again.
Sick man.
I would hate for Cassie’s teacher to ever think of her like that, at the age Megan was when I tried not to fall in love with her. It’s wrong … it should be wrong … itiswrong … but it never felt wrong at the time. I never set out to have any romantic feelings for her. I was a good teacher. I am a good teacher. I love my profession but, as Lesley often tells me, I don’t have the face of a teacher.
I call Megan again, and it rings but she doesn’t answer. I could kick myself. She might have been in trouble. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know where she lives. And it’s late.
I strip off my shirt, and I’m about to climb out of my pants when my phone rings. I snatch it, seeing Megan’s name come up. “You okay?” I ask, worried that something might have happened, because why else would she call me?
“I have two missed calls from you,” she says, her tone is accusatory, and at first I don’t understand.
“What? You called me.”
“I did? Oh ...” A few silent seconds pass when she’s probably looking at her phone to check, instead of taking my word for it. “I must have butt dialed you by accident.” The words come out like short, sharp arrows.
“Butt dialed?” I call her bluff.
“Yes, accidentally. Why else?”
There's silence.
“I didn't expect you to call,” I say finally, keeping my voice lowered, my ears on alert for Vivian prowling outside my door.
“Why are you talking quietly?”
Now's not the time to tell her, especially not on the phone. I want to come clean with Megan and this is not how I want to do things this time around.
“Because it's late,” I say. “Were you asleep? I hope I didn't disturb you.”
“I was in the shower.”
“Oh.” My voice has an odd wobble to it. Was she in the shower now because she's been for a run, or because she's had sex or …what? It's illogical, the reasons my mind runs through, the place where my mind is right now. I clear my throat. “How are you?” I want to start the conversation all over again.
Silence seeps into the airwaves but she doesn't say she's going to hang up. I like that we are both somewhat comfortable hanging on the line despite the quiet.
