Page 33 of Church Girl
“Thanks,” I say dryly. “And the other student?”
His lips flatten as if he’s about to refuse to give me that information. But as I stand there, not moving and peering down at him, his gaze drops away from mine, and he smooths his hand down the front of his shirt again.
“She’s already left school for the day with her family. I will call to deliver my decision to them as well.”
“Yeah, okay.” After giving him one last hard stare, I look at Aaliyah. “Ready?”
“Yes. Have a good day, Mr. Hutchinson,” she says politely, almost sweetly.
And if I hadn’t just witnessed her snatch the man a new asshole, I might’ve believed she meant that shit. But I had witnessed it, and I wouldn’t be forgetting it.
Neither would my dick, unfortunately.
I toss him a head jerk and purposefully wait for Aaliyah to walk out of the office first so I can follow her. If that muthafucka thinks he’s going to stare at her ass as she walks out, he better think again.
Settling a hand on the small of her back, I guide her out and into the front office. Mrs. Terrance glances up, her fingers halting mid-type as we emerge. Her face softens as she glances at Gia, who sits across from her on one of the chairs, her little feet swinging an inch or so above the ground.
“She’s been sweet as always,” the older woman says. “No problem at all.”
“Thanks,” I say, approaching Gia.
My daughter tips her head back, and her fear and hurt are obvious in the subtle tremble of her chin. “I’m sorry, Daddy,” she whispers.
I shake my head, and tears glisten in her eyes. Hunkering down in front of her, I cup her shoulder. “Hey, baby girl. Stop that, okay. You know I don’t like you fighting, but am I mad at you? No. Daddy’s not mad at all. The adults are more to blame here than you are. So get rid of those tears, okay? I love you, G.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.” She swipes the backs of her hands over her cheeks and rubs her fists into her eyes, momentarily making her seem much younger than her seven years.
“Aight, c’mon.” Standing, I hold out my hand, and she takes it, jumping down off the chair.
“See you when you’re back, Gia,” Mrs. Terrance calls out, and though it’s small, G smiles and waves at the administrative assistant.
I go to leave the office, but Gia pulls up short, turning to Aaliyah and holding out her hand. “Come on, Aaliyah.”
Aaliyah doesn’t hesitate to accept Gia’s hand, which speaks volumes—this woman will never reject my daughter. Hell, Aaliyah had gone to bat for her like she’d pushed Gia out her own pussy. Still, the quick look she shoots me, full of indecision, has my chest pulling tight.
I abruptly nod, and relief flashes across her face.
Together, with Gia between us, we leave the school.
“Let me ask you a question.”
I twist the eye under the spaghetti down to a simmer and turn around to face Aaliyah, who sits at the breakfast bar. Out of habit, I look over her shoulder toward the living room, checking for Gia. But she’s sitting in front of the television, engrossed inShe-Ra and the Princesses of Power. She loves that cartoon and can watch it for hours. It’s aight for a remake. Still ain’t the original.
“You think she’s really okay?” I ask.
Aaliyah twists on the stool and peers over at Gia, too. When she faces me again, a small, soft smile curves her pretty mouth.
Yeah, I have no business noticing how pretty—and fuckable—that mouth is.
“Honestly,” she says, thankfully dragging my attention away from thoughts that are inappropriate and dangerous, “I think the fact that we believed and stood by Gia is why she can shake it off and be at ease now. There’s a comfort and...security in knowing your parent unconditionally loves and believes you.”
At the wistful note in her voice that I’m not even sure she’s aware of, I narrow my gaze on her. Frowning, I study her, my curiosity sharp, greedy. Hard to believe when I first met her, my initial assumption was naïve, innocent...simple. I stand on naïve, and she still carries that air of innocence that’s so tempting to a man like me—a man likes to get his hands dirty. But simple? Nah. She’s far more complicated; there’s a lot more underneath that good-girl exterior.
And against my better judgment, I want to dig deep, uncover all that is Aaliyah Montgomery. Just from some of her revelations in that office today, I have questions.
First among them is the one that’s been scratching at me since before we left the principal’s office. “She’ll always have my support. Even if she does shit I can’t get behind, that doesn’t mean I won’t love her and help her in any way I can. If somebody comes for her, they come for me.” Something glints in her eyes, and I don’t miss how she swallows hard. “But I got another question.”
I cross my arms, and her gaze dips, lingering on my chest, as if she can’t help but follow my body’s movement. Lust bullies its way into my veins, flooding them. It solidifies inside me like a separate, new organ. My dick hardens, and if she glances down toward my black joggers, she’s probably going to get an eyeful. Crossing the kitchen, I don’t stop until the high counter hides my erection.
