Page 64 of Classroom Confessions

It was a lot to take in just telling them about me and her, especially considering my past relationship with Carrie. Throw in the pregnancy, the fact that she was in a polyamorous relationship, and that we were her professors, and we’d be lucky if her father didn’t at least throw a punch or call the law.

Rebecca’s fear was stamped across her face, but she swung open the car door and stepped out.

The front door opened and the woman who’d broken my heart stepped out. She took us in with a sharp look that skipped from Rebecca, to Ethan, to Cole, and then finally, to me. She stopped and both hands flew up to cover her mouth. “David.” My name scorched the air.

A man walked out behind Carrie and set both his hands on her shoulders. Confusion twisted across his face. “What’s going on?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.” Carrie locked her hands on her hips. “Rebecca?”

“Let’s go inside.” Rebecca mounted the steps in front of us. “Dad, this is Ethan, Cole, and David. Guys, this is my dad, Harold, and my stepmom, Carrie.”

We all knew Carrie, but I appreciated that she gave them both respect by making the introductions.

I had a sudden desire to whisk her back into the car and drive away. That would not solve any of our problems, so I followed her, staying close enough to touch her if she needed me.

Carrie’s eyes narrowed. “First tell me why you’re here with David.”

My pulse used to hum with the way she said my name. Now it didn’t even care. Nothing mattered except Rebecca.

“Who are you?” The man who must be Rebecca’s father stopped us with a look. “Rebecca, I need an explanation for why you’ve brought three strangers to our home.”

“Inside, Dad.” She marched past him. “I’m sorry, but we can’t have this conversation outside.” Chin up and shoulders back, she nudged her parents out of the way. “We’ll tell you everything.”

The promise of an explanation drew them into the house. Her father filed in behind us, followed by Carrie. The open foyer echoed our steps back to us. A study door stood open to my right, and I glimpsed a library tucked in the back corner, a fireplace with two cozy chairs, and a rolltop desk.

Rebecca kept going until she’d crossed the foyer and moved into the living room. The ceiling arched overhead, making the space feel bigger and brighter thanks to the bay windows spilling sunlight across the brown rug. Rebecca stopped with her toes on the edge of the rug. “There’s no easy way to say this.”

“What the hell are you doing with my daughter?” Carrie stalked over to me and poked a finger into my chest. “Whatever it is, you stop it right now. We were over a long time ago, David. You might have had a hard time accepting that, but you don’t take it out on Rebecca.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I placated her by raising both hands. “I didn’t even know you were her stepmother until recently.”

It was all recently, but Carrie could wait on the details. Some she would never hear because they were not pertinent to her.

Suspicion rode the air and tightened a noose around us.

“You slept with her.” Carrie’s eyes shot wide. She took a step back and shook a finger at me. “Of all the low-down, despicable things.”

“It’s not his fault.” Rebecca spoke over Carrie’s heated words. “And it’s not just him.” She waved both hands. “If you’ll stop shouting and let me talk, I’ll explain.”

This was why I’d wanted to do this on my own. Rebecca should not have to deal with the drama. We were supposed to protect her. This was not protection. This felt like we’d thrown her to the wolves.

Her father shoved between Rebecca and Ethan. The threat of violence charged the room. I moved to protect Ethan and Cole’s backs even as Carrie continued to come after me.

“What the hell is this all about?” Her father grabbed Ethan’s collar. “Someone had better tell me right now before I call the cops. And if you’re about to tell me you’ve slept with my daughter, I’ll have you in jail before the night’s over.”

“Dad. Stop.” Rebecca grabbed his forearm in both hands and pulled. “No one is calling the police. I’m a consenting adult.”

Her dad scoffed. “Like that matters when they’re ten years older than you.” He shot a furious glare at Ethan. “He should know better.” His head swiveled to face me. “And you, of all people, should have left my daughter alone.”

“That’s enough.” Rebecca yanked on his arm. “Let me say what I came to say.”

If the situation were reversed, I’d probably have the same reaction, so I kept my hands loose and tried not to let the anger free. Someday, I might face a situation like this with my own child. I’d want the man responsible to keep his cool. It hurt, tamping down the fury and the desire to shout, but I managed. I managed because I loved and respected Rebecca. She might be carrying my daughter right now. Even if the twins were not mine, I loved them like my own. I would raise them as my own.

“I’m in love with Ethan, David, and Cole.” Rebecca’s admission landed in the room with the strength of a nuclear blast. It leveled everyone, including her father and Carrie.

Carrie’s mouth fell open, and she snapped it shut while shaking her head. “No. David has convinced you that you’re in love with him. But it’s not real. It’s some kind of crazy revenge he’s taking out on me.”

“Much as I thought I loved you, Carrie, this has nothing to do with you.” My toneless delivery and narrowed eyes conveyed my anger. She’d left me because she thought me emotionless. I took a breath and released the power of my feelings. “I’m glad you left me. I was about to ask you to marry me, but we both know it wouldn’t have worked out. I needed to be shaken up, my emotions torn apart so I’d be open to a relationship with Rebecca. So I could show her the love and affection I was never able to show you.” I regretted that I’d hurt her then and that I had to hurt her again now. “It was never about you.”

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