The Teacher

CH 28: WREN

But just as quickly as it starts, Skylar pulls away and looks at me with regret. "I'm sorry," he says softly, releasing his hold on me and stepping back. "I shouldn't have done that."

I nod, feeling disappointment and relief wash over me. Part of me wishes he hadn't stopped kissing me, while the other part is grateful for his self-control. Something I do not have at this moment.

"It's okay," I manage to say through numb lips before turning to open the office door. But he reaches out to stop me again.

"Why did you come here?" he asks. I pause, my hand still resting on the cool metal of the door handle. Turning back to face him.

Should I lie or tell the truth?

A lie might help ease the ache in my heart, but the truth could break it. I wanted to see Skylar and clear the air about that night at Gibbs. I didn't mean to say those things, and I didn't mean to act the way I did. I also didn't think he meant it when he said I wouldn't exist to him anymore. We aren't in a relationship, so me having sex with someone else—I didn't think it was a big deal.

"I wanted to clear the air between us." I bite down on my lip. "About that night," oh my fucking Crayola, I don't even want to bring it up. I can see his jaw tense.

"What about it?"

"I just...I didn't mean to have sex with him," I admit.

"Then why did you?" I can hear the bitterness seeping into his tone.

I look back up at him. "I don't know," I say honestly. "I was drunk and stupid and...I don't know."

"Lie to me again, Wren. The last thing you were not was drunk. Why did you fuck him? I haven't touched another woman since we slept together. Now I wish I did." Staring into his piercing blue eyes, I see the hurt and accusation.

"I was scared," I confess. "Scared because Summer is back in your life, and she is the girls' mother. And I thought, maybe if I pushed you away, it would hurt less when you decided to go back to her. Like I said, I don't want to be the reason for breaking up a happy home. And your daughters want a mother, their mother." My fingers tremble against the cold metal of the door handle, holding onto it like a lifeline. I fear that if I let it go, I will fall to my knees from all these emotions running through me.

Skylar's expression shifts slightly as he processes my words. "You thought I'd choose her over you?" His voice drops with disbelief.

"I don't know what to think anymore, Skylar. She's their mother. She said she was your wife. And what just happened here a few minutes ago shows that Summer is back here for not only her daughters but you, too."

He steps closer, reducing the space between us until we're only breaths apart. "Wren," he begins, his hand lifting to touch my face gently, compelling me to look up at him. While his other hand removed my hand from the door handle. "Yes, Summer is their mother, and she always will be. But she isn't the woman I want. Not like this, not like you."

His thumb caresses my cheek softly, wiping away a tear. I feel like I'm going to hyperventilate at any moment. Yijun told me I should fight for what I want and not let my past trauma define me. But being that little girl whose mother abandoned her at such a young age, I don't want to bring any trouble to Skylar when it comes to his daughters. If he decides to be with me, I'm sure Summer will provoke him and cause problems, and it will affect their daughters.

"Wren, I won't let Summer or anyone else come between us. I know it's complicated with the kids, and I would never do anything to hurt them. But you need to understand...being with you," he pauses, his voice thick with emotion, "It feels right."