The Teacher

24: SKYLAR

"Well, look at this shit. Skylar, I didn't think you were going to show." My best friend Maurice claps me on the back, taking a sit on the barstool to my left. "It's been a while since we've hung out and at a bar, nonetheless. So, what is bothering you." he signals for the bartender for a drink.

"You remember when I told you Summer came back?"

"Yeah," He takes a swig of his drink. "It's been what, a little over a month now? How's that going? Don't tell me she is expecting?"

"Fuck no. I would never impregnate her again. Her coming back into my life has fucked it up." I admit. "I was seeing this woman for a few weeks. Summer introduced herself as my wife. You put it together."

"Whoa, back up a bit. How the fuck did Summer and your new lady meet? Sky, I know you don't give two shits ninety percent of the time, but dude, that's insane to let them meet each other. And Summer isn't your wife; I guess she is staking claim once again."

"I didn't even correct her when she said. I was shocked and didn't want to cause a scene in front of the girls. Now, it wasn't like I wanted them to meet. Summer just jumped out of the car to introduce herself. The woman—Wren, she's Bella and Gabby's teacher." I take a deep breath, trying to calm my frustration. Maurice raises his eyebrows, his interest clearly piqued.

Maurice leans forward, resting his arms on the bar. "You sly dog, fucking your daughters' teacher? Man, you live a life of adventure." He pauses, "So, what I'm gathering from this is Wren doesn't want to be with you because she thinks Summer is your wife? That's an easy fix. Explain to her she isn't."

If only it were that easy. "I tried. She didn't want to hear it, and I stopped talking to her for a month once Summer came back—"

"That is where you fucked up. You should have told her. You went a whole month without communication; when you see her, it's with Summer. Fucking hell." Maurice picks up his glass cup and takes another slow sip, his gaze fixated on the TV above the bar before looking at me. "Do you like Wren, or is she just a sweet pussy that you don't want to give up?"

"I don't know, Mo. I like her, and I love fucking her. But I never saw her as a mother figure for the girls. Not that I didn't think she couldn't do it. I just figured she wouldn't want to step into that role. She's got her own life, you know?" I slowly sip my drink, trying not to get myself worked up.

Maurice shakes his head, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Sounds to me like you don't miss fucking her, Sky. You miss her. Maybe take her on a date? Have you ever taken her on a date?"

I let out a sigh. "No, we just fucked."

"And you're this torn up about her and haven't gone on a date?" His face is in a state of disbelief. Hell, that's how I feel inside. I've only fucked her and somehow managed to catch feelings. "Let me guess, you hacked her electronics?"

"I—I did," I stutter. "But I haven't checked in on her since I dragged her out of the Gibbs," I admit. Hacking into Wren's phone, I got to know more about her, and I guess that's where the feelings started to grow.

Maurice's expression turns serious, the playful smirk fading into a line of concern. "You need to fix this, man. This isn't just about hacking or spying—though you gotta stop that shit—it's about respect. And from the sounds of it, you didn't respect her."

His words hit harder than I expected. Respect. Was that what was missing in all my other flings? The truth is, Wren isn't like anyone else; she challenges me and ignites something within me that I thought was long dormant.

"Take her somewhere nice, somewhere public," he suggests. "Show her you're serious."

"Mo, I went to her yesterday to apologize and explain everything. But it backfired. I don't think a dinner date will fix this, from what she said and didn't say. Her mother abandoned her as a kid and started a new family. Wren doesn't want to be the cause of breaking up what she thinks is a happy family." Either way, I'm screwed. I'm unsure what else I can do to show her that her presence in my life won't harm anything.