Page 12 of Between Hate and Desire

“Argh! You’re the literal worst, Hunter Manning!” She turns, her hips shimmying as she walks away.

“Well, feel free to leave anytime. Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out!” I shout my usual retort whenever she’s freaking out about something. A nice little reminder that she can leave any goddamn time and no one’s stopping her.

“You need to grow the hell up!” she shouts after I shut my bedroom door. The walls are thin, so I hear every word that leaves her lips. She’s muttering curse words, calling me every name under the sun, and I smile in victory. Getting her worked up is another step toward getting her out of my damn head, though sometimes it feels like hot foreplay.

Better to be under her skin than fantasizing about her being on top of me.

CHAPTER THREE

LENNON

Monday and Tuesday flew by,but today drags. Seconds feel like minutes, and minutes seem like hours, and all I want to do is go home and be with Brandon. At lunch, I look over my salad, not feeling very hungry as I think about everything left to complete for the spring concert in a couple of months.

Over the past few days, I taught my students two new songs on their recorders, and they were enthusiastic and seemed to enjoy learning. I want this concert to go off without a hitch because it’s my first big program since I graduated and became a teacher. So much rides on its success, and it could determine if my contract is renewed or not, which is a big deal. I try not to think too far ahead in the future and live in the moment, but it’s hard when there’s so much to do in so little time. Being stressed at home because of Hunter and the dumb shit he constantly puts me through doesn’t help either.

As I take a bite of my salad, I think about how every grade from kindergarten through fourth will be performing together on the stage. I have to choose the songs for them to sing as well as music for them to play on the instruments, and I need to have it finalized by the end of the week. After Principal Orson approved my budget increase, I ordered the percussion equipment for the older kids, and thankfully, it’ll be delivered by the end of next week so we can start practicing. Once I’m finished eating, the bell rings, which means recess is over and my classroom will soon be full of little bodies. As I walk down the hall, I unlock my phone and see a text from Brandon.

Brandon

I love you, sweetheart. Hope you’re having an amazing day!

I instantly smile.

Lennon

Love you too, baby. I wish you were here with me so I could sneak kisses.

Brandon

Mmm. You’re making me miss you even more right now.

Lennon

You have no idea how much I wish we were home and in bed. Or that you were here so we could christen the instrument closet. :)

Brandon

So my naughty teacher fantasy might come true?

Lennon

Ha-ha! Class is starting. Only a few more hours left until the day is over! Love you!

Shortly after I enter my classroom, a group of kindergartners comes inside for their lesson. I smile at Mrs. Jenson, who escorted them over, before she waves and shuts the door.

Their attention spans are so short that I have to work hard to keep them occupied for the class period. Though it can be exhausting, I still love it. They keep me on my toes.

“Good afternoon, class!” I greet, smiling wide.

“Hello, Ms. Corrigan,” they say in their cute little voices.

“So the spring concert is in a couple of months. Do you know what that means?” I ask, meeting their gazes.

Some of them shake their heads and others nod, while the rest are too busy picking their noses to care that I’m even speaking.

“It means we’re going to perform for a bunch of people, including your parents. This year, Disney is the theme!”

Several of them are so excited they stand and start dancing around like I fed them pure sugar. Disney, to kids, is an instant trigger word, which is why I chose it.

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