Honor Thy Teacher (Honor Series) - By Mummert, Teresa Page 0,25

going to take her down with me. I was a monster. I slammed the fridge and took the top off the bottle. She stared at me expectantly.

“This is what’s wrong. This is why I came to see you this morning.” I shoved my finger at the note and waited for her to say something, anything. Her eyes danced over the scrap of paper.

“What does this have to do with me?” She asked, confusion twisting her face. “It was that woman wasn’t it? The one I saw you with at the theater.” She looked back at me, not able to hide the hurt from her eyes. “We have to call the police!” I shook my head and took another drink from my beer. There had to be another way out of this.

“It’s not that simple.” Did she not understand that if the police began digging around it would ruin her life?

“What are you talking about? She threatened your life!” She was shouting. This was a side of her I had never seen before. She was worried about me. Maybe she was worried about herself. I took another drink as I thought that over.

“She doesn’t seem to know anything about you.” I reassured her. She looked confused at my words, running her hands through her knotted hair.

“Shit” She muttered, trying to free her fingers. I smiled and pulled open a drawer on the island and pulled out a pink hairbrush, a reminder of Abby. My thoughts never went to her.

“We have to find somewhere safe for you to go tonight.” My stomach panged at the thought of her leaving but I knew it was best for her.

“Why can’t I stay here?” She asked as she brushed the last few tangles from her hair. She wanted to stay. “Never mind” She quickly followed, placing the brush on the counter and standing. I had to swallow hard before explaining.

“It’s not that I don’t want you to stay. I wish I could lock you up and never let you leave.” I had to keep the smile from my face. I very much wanted to do that. “The last place you should be is with me.” The words hurt as they crossed my lips. I walked around the island and placed my hands on her cheeks, stroking her face with my thumbs. My body lit up with the electricity between us. “Why do you think so little of yourself?” Her eyes grew wide and she didn’t answer for a moment.

“Why are you so distant?” She countered and I held my breath as all the reasons flashed across my mind.

“That has nothing to do with you, Emma.” She kept her eyes locked on mine. Her hand slowly lifted and she gently touched her fingertips to my chest. I fought the urge to pull away. I took my hand from her face and placed it on top of hers, and held it firm against me. My pulse quickened.

“You are the only person who has ever made my heart race like this.” I didn’t look away. I needed her to know that. It was probably the most honest words I had ever spoken. I took my other hand and tucked her chestnut hair behind her ear. I swallowed hard at the next words I had to say. “You have to go. It’s not up for debate.” I kept my tone low and commanding. I couldn’t stand if she pushed any further. I wouldn’t be able to make her go.

Chapter Seventeen

Emma called one of her friends and left a message letting them know that she wanted to hang out. I made quick work of fixing us something to eat. I made spaghetti as she watched me, not saying a word. We ate together in silence for what felt like an eternity. The thought of her leaving weighed heavy on my heart. Emma was the first to break the silence.

“This is amazing.” She said as she slurped up a long noodle. I couldn’t help but laugh. I took the pad of my thumb and whipped away some sauce that had collected at the corner of her mouth. Without thinking I licked my finger. A surprisingly intimate act. She stared at me and I felt myself go weak under her gaze.

“Eat” I said with a smile, letting my mind forget about everything else. Her phone rang breaking me from my daydream. She reached for it, tearing her gaze from mine.

“It’s Becka” She said before answering it. I grabbed our plates and took