4

Lexi's POV:

I may have slightly underestimated just how much teaching takes out of a person. I knew it would be a lot of work, but I am emotionally exhausted. Maybe it's just because my students and I aren't all that far off in age, but I feel like I have to come in on my toes every single day and prove myself to these students.

Whether it's them speaking over me, not paying attention in class, or not doing the assignments... they are the most defiant group of high schoolers I have ever encountered. That's saying a lot considering I used to be one of those defiant high schoolers.

"I've asked you twice to put the phone away." I scoff, approaching one of the male students. I hold out my palm and he laughs in my face. "Give me the phone, please."

"Ha, you've got me messed up." He grins. "I ain't giving you my phone, dude."

"I am not your dude. I am your teacher. Give me the phone or it's a write-up." I threaten, trying desperately to hold my ground.

"Fuck off, man." He groans turning his back to me.

I stand before him, dumbfounded. My lip starts to tremble at my lack of authority.

"Woah, okay." A voice says from the door. "I know I didn't hear that correctly, Mr. Palmer. Because if I did, you'd be in some serious trouble." Evan's much more stern voice grabs the attention of the disobedient student very quickly.

"I- I was just-" the frightened teen stutter and stumbles over his words and I chomp down on my cheek, still feeling uneasy and disrespected.

"You were just.... marching down to the suspension classroom for the rest of the week? Sounds about right." Evan nods, clearly having a lot of respect from majority of the students here.

The student stands and heads towards the door, but Evan stops him with her arm. "Nu-uh. Phone." She demands.

The teen boy's shoulders drop and he groans, pulling the device from his pocket. "Here."

"It's not for me. This isn't my class..." Evan reminds him, the entire class and myself watching her in awe.

The highly annoyed boy brings me his phone and drops it angrily into my hand before finally leaving the room.

I nod my head slowly and glance at Evan, unable to say what I am thinking due to the audience of nosy teens. "Back to work" are the only words I can utter out, and not one student offers to defy that order now that Evan has set them straight.

It's not hard to see why they listen to Evan and not me. Number one, Evan is hot... and very intimidating when she chooses to be. Number two, Evan is significantly older than any of them, whereas I only have them by a small number of years. Number three, Evan is damn good at her job.

I remember when I had run-ins with Evan throughout high school she scared the hell out of me. I always had respect for her, even before our relationship took the turn that it did.

The class finally ends about forty minutes later, thank god. When the last student leaves the room I lay my head down on the desk, burying my face deep in my arms and sighing.

"It wasn't that bad..." I hear her voice and quickly pick up my head. "You know they can smell fear, right?" She teases, entering my classroom.

I lean back in my chair and put my arms behind my head, "I'm dripping with it."

The side of her mouth curls a bit and she leans against one of the empty desks in the front row.

"Thank you for... controlling that." I sigh. She nods slowly. "Although I am starting to think that all you do around here is lurk in the hallway." I tease.

She laughs a bit, "I was running to make copies of something. I heard 'fuck' and figured you might need reinforcements? Sorry if I overstepped." She says, scrunching her nose.

I shake my head, "no, you didn't. I'm starting to think I need all the help I can get. I don't know if I'm cut out for this." I admit, pulling my hand over my face in defeat.

Evan shakes her head at me and giggles, "I had those same thoughts my first year alone. Lexi, you'll be fine. I know you well enough to say that."

Not convinced, I shake my head once more and push myself around the desk in my rolly-chair.

"Yes. You will." Evan assures me, walking over and kneeling in front of me. She puts her hands on my knees and my skin does the exact same thing it used to every time she touched me. It burns. "It's your first week. You're a smart woman and I know you have the balls to do this. I think you've done things that are much scarier than teach a room full of teens." Evan continues.

My interests are spiked with her comment, "like what?"

Her green eyes cut me and she subtly licks her lip, "you've got this, Lexi."

"What if I'm just a super shitty teacher and that's why they hate me?" I groan.

Her warm hand shifts overtop my khaki pants and it draws my eyes to her hand. I follow her arm up to her eyes and she raises her brows, "you aren't a shitty teacher. You're just nervous."

Nervous is absolutely right. Why do I feel like this when she touches me? I even have a new girlfriend who I am very much committed to! After all this time... how can I still feel that?

"Thank you for looking out for me." I nod.

Evan's head nods and the bell dings loudly, signaling the start of another class period.

I look at Evan and furrow my brows, "no class for you?"

Her head shakes, "nope. Planning period for me." She tells me, sliding her hand off of me and standing upright again. "Looks like we have the same planning period judging by the empty classroom here..."

I nod my head and Evan gives me a look. "What?" I ask.

"I'll go grab some papers to grade and come back. We can sit here together since your girlfriend is so insistent on you befriending me." She grins.

I nod my head and smirk, "Company is always a nice thing to have."

* * *

The end of the day comes around and I waste no time collecting my things and rushing out to my car. I and done with today. Mentally exhausted.

I unlock my car and shove my bag inside before climbing in and putting the key in the ignition. My mood (and face) drops when I head an awful clicking sound from under the hood.

"My fucking luck." I grumble under my breath, smacking the steering wheel with my palm and pulling the lever that pops the hood.

I walk around the car, internally cussing it. I open the hood and find a ton of things that I have absolutely no understanding of staring back at me. I look at the battery and bump the terminal a few times, hoping that'll do the trick since that is the most extensive knowledge I have about cars.

I return to my driver's seat and hold my breath as I turn the key, only to be disappointed again.

"If you were as terrible of a teacher as you are a mechanic I would be seriously concerned." A smart-aleck voice chirps from behind me.

I roll my eyes at Evan, who is grinning from her car. "Ha ha."

"What's the matter with it?" She asks me, leaving her vehicle to try and help me.

"Evan, if I knew what was wrong with it I probably would not be sitting in the parking lot." I hiss, irritated as hell.

She gives me a look, "take the attitude down a couple of notches. Let me see if I can help." She shrugs.

I sigh and motion towards the engine and she glances over it all, looking very hard at every detail. "Did you jiggle the cables on the battery?" She shrugs.

I offer a giggle, "yeah, I did."

"I don't know then." She grins.

We both giggle a little and I close the hood, "fucking fantastic." I pull out my phone and call Mia, hoping she can come get me and take me home since I'll have to have my car towed to a shop.

Naturally, Mia doesn't answer and the frustration on my face is obvious. "Stop stressing. I can give you a ride home, Lexi. Call a tow truck for your car." Evan offers.

Even if I wanted to decline the offer, I really wouldn't have a choice. How else am I going to get home?

I do as Evan says, calling for the tow truck and collecting my things from my car. I pile into Evan's car and she follows my directions to my apartment.

"Thank you for giving me a ride. I really do appreciate it." I shrug.

Evan flashes a friendly smile, "of course. I think I kinda owed you a ride anyway." She grins.

I fight my smile because I immediately know what she is referring to. The night I picked her up drunk front the restaurant and took her home. That was an... eventful night.

I silently collect my things, struggling hard to carry all of it. I didn't feel comfortable leaving my things with the mechanic shop, so I literally grabbed everything.

After dropping things three different times, Evan sighs and shuts off the car. "Let me help you. Jesus, too prideful to even ask for help."

I say nothing and let her help, knowing damn well I need it.

She follows me into the building and up to the floor where I live. I (again) struggle with the items in my arms as I get my key out. I kick the door open and suddenly feel all kinds of embarrassed for how distraught my home is.

"I- I swear we are still unpacking. I'm not a lazy slob." I assure her, putting my things on the couch for the moment.

Evan nods and sets down what she is carrying too, "I believe you. This place is cute."

"Baby?" Mia's chirpy voice echos down the hall and my brows furrow.

Mia walks around the corner wrapped in a towel, fresh out of the shower.

"Hey.. we have company." I mumble, knowing it is too late and she doesn't care. Evan looks the girl up and down, then at me. "I called, but I guess you were in the shower."

"I was." she says, kissing my lips twice. "What was the matter?" She asks.

"Car trouble. Evan gave me a ride." I say, my words hardly coming out of my mouth.

Maybe it's just me, but this room is hot and tense.

"Aw, that's nice of you, Evan! You should really stay for dinner since you're here... as a thank you!" Mia offers, though I wish she wouldn't have. I can think of at least a hundred other things that would be more comfortable than having dinner with my current girlfriend and my ex... lover?

Evan looks only at Mia, smiling. "I don't want to impose."

"Please, we always have leftovers anyway! I'm making tacos tonight. Stay, I insist." Mia presses, clueless about Evan and I's past. I'm sure there wouldn't be such an eager invitation to stay for dinner if she did know.

Evan eventually nods after Mia's pleading. "Alright, I'll stay for dinner. Is that okay with you, Lexi?" She asks, dagger-eyes in full effect.

I nod and feel my entire body temperature rise. "Of course."

Evan gives half of a grin and Mia hangs on my shoulder, still not clothed. Her hand constantly rubs on my arm and her chest is pressed against me.

Evan eyes the situation and licks her lisp slowly, "um, restroom?"

I point down the hall, "second one on the left."

She struts away, her heels tapping the floor and her hips swaying. Shit. Don't look, Lexi!

"I'm glad you're home. I missed you today... and I got a job!" Mia informs me, happy to deliver the news.

My faces lights up (mainly because I won't be the only one paying rent now). "Oh, that's fantastic! I can't wait to hear about it, babe. Why don't you go get dressed and I'll get started on dinner?" I suggest, wanting my girlfriend to be clothed before Evan comes back.

She nods and walks to our bedroom, closing the door behind her.

I head to the kitchen and get started, though my skills in the kitchen aren't that great.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Evan's voice startles me.

I shake my head, "no, you're fine."

She nods and eyes me hard, "you want me to leave?"

I bite my cheek, "Evan, you gotta admit this is a little... tense."

She laughs and checks over her shoulder. Her voice lowers, hitting a tone that makes me tense up even more. Why? "There is no reason to be tense, Lex. Why are you so freaked out and paranoid?"

"Because I-" I sigh, "I just am. I care about Mia and I don't want things from the past to hurt her."

Evan's eyes flutter, "you're being dramatic. Just relax. Our past doesn't have to have any impact on our current or future relationship."

I sigh hard. I try to act normal when Mia walks into the room, happy as usual.

"Okay! I'll make dinner for you two. You should just relax." Mia says. "Plus, Lexi you burn everything you touch."

Evan giggles a bit at the last comment and I shake my head. Relaxing is the last thing on my mind with these two in the same room.

"Wine?" I ask, glancing at Evan.

She starts to answer, but I speak first. "Shit. We don't have red. We just have white... never mind." Way to go, Lexi. Gonna blow your own cover. Who the hell knows their coworkers wine taste after just a couple of days?!

Evan's lips turn up, "I can handle white I guess."

I nod quickly and pour two glasses, mine much more full than hers since she has to drive home.

We drink and chat, keeping very light conversation while Mia cooks.

Nearly an hour later, dinner is served and the three of us sit around the small table in our breakfast area.

"Evan, how long have you lived in the area?" Mia questions, innocent in her intent.

Evan glances up at me before answering, "um, about four and a half years."

"Maybe you can give us the scoop on good restaurants and stuff! We literally just moved in... as you can see from all the boxes."My girlfriend says, motioning around her.

Evan grins and nods, "I could if that's something you want. I know a few spots."

"Oh my goodness! We could go on a double date! Are you married? Boyfriend? Girlfriend? Fiancé?" Mia smiles ear-to-ear, meanwhile my stomach rumbles with nerves.

I watch as the blonde plays with her food, taking a bite and licking her lips before answering. I realize that even I don't know the answer to the question. She could actually be seeing someone.

"I'm single. Divorced, actually." She admits, avoiding eye contact with me.

Mia gives a sympathetic frown, "aw, I'm sorry to hear that. Is it recent?" God, I love this girl but can she not think or anything else to talk about?

"Little over four years. That's part of the reason I moved." Evan says, her voice low.

"Wow, so it's been a while. Still not dating? Do you have kids?" My girlfriend presses.

I watch Evan's tongue slowly trace her lips and she crosses her legs. I can see that she is a bit irritated. "Nope, not dating. I have three kids, actually."

"Aw! That's nice, kids are great." Mia gushes. "You haven't been dating?! Come on, you're absoluetly beautiful! I'm sure you can find someone... Isn't she, Lexi?!"

I feel a lump in my throat, but I force the answer out anyway. "You are." I tell Evan, hardly looking at her.

Evan smiles a bit and looks down at her partially eaten dinner, "it's more of a personal preference that I don't date."

"Really?! You prefer being single? How long has it been since you've been in a relationship?" The invasive questions continue.

"It's been... a while. I get what I need elsewhere. I can do without the title of a relationship." Evan says, her eyes finding mine when she does.

Mia smirks, "mm, I see what you mean. Everyone needs a reliable hook-up every once in a while... I was the same way until I met Lexi. We just kinda hit it off from the start! Then poof! A month later we were in a committed relationship!"

Evan nods and forces a smile, my eyes stuck on her. I was so distracted by her answer that I didn't have time to register Mia's spilling of personal details. Who the hell does she hook up with?

"We should go out this weekend... you can invite your friend with benefits and it can be a double date! Only you're guaranteed sex at the end of the night... I might have to do some begging." Mia rolls her eyes and looks at me.

My jaw drops, "Mia!" I groan.

Evan snickers beside me and take a breath, "look, I have really enjoyed the company tonight and I greatly appreciate the dinner, but I'm going to head out. And I'll have my kids this weekend, so unfortunately I'll have to take a rain check on that outing... maybe another time."

Mia's smile fades a bit. "Alright, well thank you for rescuing my girlfriend from her car troubles. You're a saint, really."

I stand with Evan and offer to walk her down, though she doesn't have much of a choice in the matter.

Once the apartment door closes, she starts taunting me.

"You make her beg? That's kinda kinky... and new for you." Evan jokes with me, her voice still low.

I roll my eyes, "ha ha. It isn't like that. Who the hell do you hook up with?!" I mutter. "Another student? Maybe your neighbor?" I taunt right back.

She slugs her fist into my arm and I giggle. "And I'm the funny one..." she sighs. "Who I spend my nights with is none of your concern, Lexi."

I cut my eyes at her, my suspicions rising. "Who is it?"

"Forget it. I'm not telling you anything! I'm going home, have a good night though..." she says, swinging her keys around her finger.

As she walks out the door of the lobby I shout her name and make her face me. "Since I don't have a car at the moment... do you think I could get a ride in the morning?" I bite my lip.

Her eyes roll, but she nods. "See you then, Lex. Try to be on time."