Maybe This Time (The Educators Book 3) Read Free Page B

truly sick of seeing.
    “Go ahead now. I trust you don’t need an escort?”
    “No. I’ll go there after I get my stuff.”
    When Steph rose, Gage said, “I’ll pick you up after school.”
    “I got plans, Pops.”
    “Not anymore. You’re grounded.”
    She made a sucking sound with her lips, the typical teenage retort of disgust, but left without saying more.
    When they were alone, Gage addressed Delaney and Kane. “I apologize for her rudeness.”
    Delaney smiled sympathetically. “She needs help, Mr. Grayson.” The formality sounded absurd coming out of a mouth that he’d devoured a little over twenty-four hours ago.
    “I know. Her behavior has been getting progressively worse for a long time. And I’m afraid I’ve gotten the distinct displeasure of being her disciplinarian.”
    “What about her mother?” Kane asked.
    From the expression in Delaney’s eyes, Gage could tell she already knew this, though he hadn’t told her much in Atlanta about his ex-wife. “She’s bipolar. And not consistent which causes problems between me and Steph. Andrea provides no oversight of her behavior and I end up doing all the dirty work when she comes to me.”
    Kane’s phone buzzed and a voice came over its intercom. “Dylan, the mayor’s here for breakfast.”
    “I have to go. We’ll talk more after Stephanie’s detention. Delaney, come see me after you meet with her today.”
    Gage waited until Delaney preceded him through the door to the hallway. The buses had arrived so the halls were teeming with students jostling each other, calling out names, hurrying to class. The two of them started to walk and when they reached an alcove, she pulled him over and stopped.
    “This is interesting.”
    “It is. How could I not have found out you were the teacher that walked on water?”
    “I feel the same—you’re the dad who doesn’t understand her.”
    “You mean who she hates.”
    “She doesn’t hate you. Down deep, I think she wants a relationship with you. I do know about the discipline stuff. She sees you as a punisher in her life.”
    He ran a hand through his hair. “Sometimes, I wake up at night and wonder how things got this way.”
    “They can change.”
    “You think?”
    “Yeah, I do. And maybe I can help.”
    “You already have. She hasn’t had an incident in school like this in weeks.”
    “I was out yesterday—which, um, of course you know. I was supposed to have a chat with her after school.”
    “I don’t know what to do about my daughter anymore.”
    Reaching out, Delaney squeezed his arm. “We have to work at getting her to open up to you.” She sighed. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
    Gage cursed himself for thinking of this at a time when his daughter needed him, but he remembered how Delaney’s lips had been everywhere on his body. “I know.”
    They couldn’t see each other again romantically.
    And he was a lot more disappointed than he should be at the notion.
    o0o
    This close to him, Delaney’s skin sizzled. It was the scent that did it—that wonderful smell of man and musk that she’d immersed herself in for one whole night…
    She’d licked his chest and he’d startled. Oh, shit. My body’s on fire.
    Hmm. Let’s see if I can kick up the temperature.
    He’d grabbed her arms hard enough to bruise her but he couldn’t control himself and she didn’t want him to…
    Now, Delaney’s voice was hoarse when she said, “I know this is selfish, but I’m really disappointed. That we can’t, you know…”
    “Yes, I am, too. I was looking forward to some more of you know. But we have to think about Steph. Where do we start?”
    Glancing around the crowded hall, she shook her head. “This isn’t the time or place. We’ll have to meet again to talk about her.”
    “I’m due in court at ten, and you probably have classes soon. How about before I pick Steph up today?”
    “I have a meeting right when the kids leave school. How about after that? Steph could