I grabbed the ball and stopped. “The fact that you didn’t say ‘nothing’ is a good place to start.”
He rested his hands on his hips and took a couple deep breaths. “Have you noticed anything going on with my sister recently?”
My heartrate shot up to dangerous levels, and I fought to keep my eyes from revealing my panic. “Like what?” God, I wished I hadn’t stopped playing so I could turn away from him. I needed a distraction, a thunderstorm, a car plowing through the house…anything to get me out of this conversation.
“Kendra Cross came to see me right before break.”
Listening seemed like a better option than talking at this juncture.
“She had some concerns about Colbie’s schoolwork.”
My heart stopped beating completely, and a lump formed in my throat that I wasn’t certain I’d be able to speak around, so I stared at Caleb, waiting for him to get to his point. Sweet Jesus, there were eleven other people inside; surely one of them wanted to join us. “Oh?” It was more of a grunt than a word.
“She thought maybe you’d noticed the same thing. Kendra said you’d asked some questions in the teacher’s lounge a few weeks ago, but you hadn’t been specific about any particular student.”
I couldn’t stand here idle any longer. I bounced the ball a couple times and took a shot from under the basket. “Has she talked to Colbie?” I passed off the rebound to Caleb. I’d kill for the scratch of sneakers on the pavement, anything to break the weight of silence.
“She tried but didn’t get much response, so she came to me. And I’m coming to you.”
“And what exactly are you looking for?” I tried to be nonchalant. This was the same guy who’d warned me not to get close to students; I certainly couldn’t tell him how I’d noticed the details that I had.
He shrugged. “Your opinion on whether I need to get my parents involved. You see Colbie every day. You have her in class. You grade her work.” Caleb chuckled and added another two points to his score. “You spend more time with her than I do, so I thought you could offer some perspective.”
This was where things got tricky, dicey even. I had a split second to make a decision. I couldn’t hem and haw over what Caleb wanted to know without giving myself away. But by telling him what he wanted to know, I might be able to get Cole what she needed—not that I was even certain what that was.
“Caleb, your sister is smarter than everyone in that school, including the teachers. Have I seen a dip in her quality of work? Yes. Has it warranted a reflection in her grades? No.” I hoped that lie didn’t send me straight to hell. “Your sister puts an enormous amount of pressure on herself to be the best.” That was common knowledge and not something I could only have garnered from spending time alone with her. “Maybe she’s letting that guard down a bit since she’s already gotten into college—”
“No way. Not Critter. She’d never willingly give up valedictorian.” He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. “Kendra said it was more than just her work, though I doubt you’d have noticed whether she’d lost weight or had bags under her eyes.”
I didn’t confirm or deny that statement. “Maybe you should talk to your parents. Surely your mom would notice those types of details about her only daughter.” Even though I knew she didn’t.
Chasity stuck her head out the back door. “Dessert’s on the table. You two come in and get washed up.” She squinted to see us better in the dark. “How did you get so sweaty? Caleb, that’s gross. Your mama is not going to want pigs at her dining room table.”
Caleb faced his wife. “Give me a minute. We’ll be right there.”
I rolled my eyes with his back turned. Marriage hadn’t made Chasity any less of a nag, and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for my best friend having to deal with that for the remainder of his life. I didn’t even want to consider what she’d be like if they had kids. But I kept my mouth shut.
Caleb slapped me on the chest. “I’ll talk to my parents tonight. I’m sure Chasity could be a help.”
And then I couldn’t keep it shut anymore. “I think you might want to leave Chas out of it, Caleb.” The thin ice I currently treaded on was about to crack and drag me under, but I couldn’t throw Colbie to that wolf.
He’d taken two steps toward the door when he stopped. “Why?”
There weren’t many things that a man gave a shit about, but his football team and his woman always made the list. “She’s not exactly nice to Colbie.” He pulled back like I’d slapped him. “I really think you should just talk to your parents alone.”
“What are you talking about? You’re never even around them together.” His defenses were drawn, and I couldn’t blame him; mine were too, but for a different reason—Colbie was on my list. Caleb just didn’t know it.
I turned my lips down and shrugged with as much indifference as I could muster. “You’re right. But I saw your sister at the rehearsal dinner—and you yourself told me they didn’t get along. Then the following day at the church, I heard rumors about things Chasity said to Colbie in the dressing room. And tonight at the table, she really ribbed your sister for no apparent reason.”
Caleb hadn’t heard a word I’d said other than something negative about his wife. “It’s not like that. You just don’t know them. Critter’s just as much to blame as Chas.”
“Maybe, maybe not. But from the outside looking in, Chasity is the adult. She should be setting the example, not picking fights.”
He eyed me for several long seconds. For a moment, I thought he might throw a punch. I would have taken it if it got my point across.
“And as your little sister, you should be insistent that your wife be good to her.”
He laughed, but it wasn’t one born from humor, more like irritation. “Coming from the single man who’s an only child. Dude, you have no idea what it’s like growing up the oldest of seven children. I can’t babysit them all.”
“Then how about just your wife?”
Caleb’s face turned Georgia red, and his chest heaved with unspent aggression. “Pax, I love you like a brother, but that’s my wife you’re talking about.”
“And you asked me about your sister. Your wife isn’t my concern.”
“Is Colbie?”
We were seconds away from this taking a turn neither of us could come back from, but at that moment, I no longer cared where it went. Colbie was an adult, and if it cost me my career then so be it. “Meaning what, Caleb?” I couldn’t decipher whether he’d insinuated my guilt or if I had read into something that wasn’t there.
“Meaning that if you cared about your students half as much as you say you did then you would have come to me when my sister seemed off course.”
The two of us were practically screaming. “Seriously?”
“Yeah!”
“You’re the one who told me not to get too close. So which is it, Chapman? Do you want me to keep my distance? Or do you want me to run to you with everything that goes on in my classroom? Jesus, you act like I didn’t tell you that Colbie was failing my class. Newsflash, she has an A. She shows up every day. She participates”—if I called on her, but that wasn’t my point—“I don’t know what knowledge you expected me to impart to you. But I’m telling you this, leave your wife out of it if you expect your sister to talk.”
“Boys?” Elise now stuck her head out the door. “Is everything all right? It sounded like yelling out here.”
“We’re fine, Mama.”
“Good, then come in and have some cheesecake. Everyone’s waiting on you two.” Mrs. Chapman didn’t wait for us to respond because she expected to be obeyed.
“Look, Caleb. I’m not trying to push your buttons.” I took a deep breath. This had to be put to bed before we stepped foot inside. “I just don’t think you can approach your parents with your sister the way you would your brothers.” I held up my hands in surrender and peace. “That’s all I was trying to say. And if you want me to look out for her, just say the word,
and I’ll do my best.”
He wrapped his arm around my neck and pulled my head into his chest. His knuckles rubbed into my scalp as I fought him off. I didn’t know if he’d heard me, but I prayed he had. A little attention from her parents wouldn’t hurt Cole.
“Thanks, Pax. Honestly, I think Kendra’s making a big deal out of nothing. Like you said, Critter puts a lot of pressure on herself. And if her work is still better than everyone else’s, I’m sure there’s nothing to be worried about.”
13
Eli
I arrived at my back door to find a very pissed off Colbie Chapman staring at me through the windows. She’d quit knocking but not glaring. Part of me feared opening the door to a woman on a warpath; I’d learned long ago to steer clear of them.
“Open up, Eli.” Her voice didn’t sound nearly as angry as the gleam in her eyes appeared.
I unlocked the deadbolt—not that I’d intended to keep her out—and let her in. I’d barely closed the door behind her before she laid into me.
“What the hell did you say to my parents last night?” Colbie marched past me. She didn’t turn down the hall to my bedroom. She stayed straight toward the living room.
It was too early for this. I’d been over at her house and came home to nurse a bottle of Jack, worried about what Caleb would or wouldn’t say to his parents. That led to a hangover today. The sun hadn’t risen, and my girl now dared those rays to shine. I ran a hand through my hair and followed her.
I plopped onto the couch while she stood in front of it, staring me down.
“Well?” Her thin arms were folded under her breasts, and I wanted nothing more than to feel her front pressed to mine…and for her to lower her voice just a tad.
I held out my hand, and she uncrossed her arms to come to me. Colbie’s shoulders dropped, and so did her guard. With my fingers locked with hers, I tugged her onto the couch and nestled her into my arms between my side and the back cushions. “You smell good,” I cooed into her hair.
“Eli.” She might have softened, but she hadn’t given up.
“Baby, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t talk to your parents last night. About anything.” My lids drifted closed, and the heat from Colbie’s warm skin seeped into mine. “You were there for everything said.” All I wanted to do was breathe her in and keep her close. Talking could wait.
She managed to wiggle her way up and onto her elbow, and I peered through one eye to see just how much trouble I was in. I estimated it to be a seven out of possible ten, which meant I needed to give her my attention.
Relenting, I focused on her. “Okay. Tell me what happened.” I propped up my head with a pillow to ensure I didn’t fall asleep.
“My mom and dad came to my room last night.”
I didn’t see a problem there, but I bit my tongue.
“They wanted to talk about school and piano.”
Maybe Caleb had actually gone to the Chapmans after I’d left. I remained silent to let her get out whatever she wanted to share.
“Caleb told my parents that my teachers are concerned about my schoolwork. How would that have happened on Thanksgiving, Eli? You were the only one of my teachers present at my house. And those same teachers expressed concern not only about my grades but over my health and the pressure I put on myself.” She sat up completely and scooted to the other end of the couch and out of my reach.
I reacted the way she had and bolted upright. Hangover be damned, I moved quickly to grab her. “Uh huh. Don’t do that. Don’t assume I did something and punish me. If you want to talk, we can talk, but you’re not going to isolate yourself so you crawl into the box you want to hide in.” I wouldn’t force her into my arms, but I wouldn’t let her cower, either.
“Why do you care if I touch you?” she asked timidly as she inched back in my direction and put her hand in mine.
I wouldn’t lie and tell her I didn’t care, because I absolutely fucking did. “Because before I told you I loved you, I showed you every time I hugged you or caressed your cheek. And even without words, those same things illustrate that sentiment. It’s something I never want you to lose sight of, regardless of how mad you might be. If my hand is still in yours, we’re tethered. Partners. I won’t let go, and I hope you never do.” I meant it figuratively and literally, which Cole was smart enough to understand.
She sighed and leaned her head against the back of the sofa. “Just tell me what happened, Eli.” One by one, her fingers laced mine, securing the connection.
“Last night after you went upstairs, Caleb and I went outside to play basketball. Had I known when he asked that it was a way to get me to talk, I wouldn’t have gone. But that’s neither here nor there.” I tucked her hair behind her ear and noticed she was in yoga pants and flip flops versus the running gear she typically had on. “Mrs. Cross talked to your brother before school let out. She’s concerned, Colbie.”
“About what?” Tears flooded her eyes, and the moment she blinked, several fell. “I still have straight As.”
I wiped them away. “Your health. Your schoolwork. Whether there might be something wrong that she didn’t know about.”
She sniffled and swiped at the trail on her cheeks. “So why would Caleb mention that to you?”
I didn’t miss that Colbie didn’t deny that things had changed; I just chose to hold that close to my chest for right now. “Because you’re in my class. Like it or not, I am one of your teachers, and your brother thought I might have some insight.”
“And you confirmed what Mrs. Cross said?” Surprise lilted her tone, and her wet lashes went wide. “Why would you do that? Why wouldn’t you talk to me?”
“Baby, I didn’t tell him anything of any significance because I hadn’t talked to you. I confirmed that the assignments you handed in were still miles above everyone else, although they weren’t the level you had submitted at the beginning of the year. And when he asked why I hadn’t brought it to his attention, I told him that you still had an A, showed up, and participated, even if that last one was stretching the truth a bit.”
“What else haven’t you talked to me about?”
I pulled her knees toward me and tossed her flip flops onto the floor. “I’m worried about you.” With each of her feet on the outside of my thighs, I hooked my forearms behind her knees and brought her to me. “The circles under your beautiful blue eyes.” I leaned in and kissed the spot I referenced. “And the weight you’ve lost.” I trailed two fingers down her thin side and then pressed my lips to her collar bone. “That you kill yourself trying to be the best at everything you do.”
She let me bring her into my lap, straddling my waist. I cradled her jaw in my hands and tilted her head to give me access to her mouth. Colbie opened for me the way she always did, welcoming me. I tasted her. Drank her in. Showed her how much I loved her with every swipe of my tongue. And as my cock hardened, she mewled and ground against me.
I debated whether to take this further or continue the conversation at hand, but when she pulled her tank top over her head followed by her sports bra, my ability to make the right decision fell short.
Colbie stood and wiggled out of her tight black pants. Then she tugged at the waistband of my boxers until I lifted my ass so she could remove them as well. I straightened myself on the couch with by back to the cushions and feet flat on the floor. Colbie took that as an invitation to climb into my lap. There were few places I’d rather have her than right where she was. I had access to her pussy, her ass, her tits, and her mouth. And when Cole rode me, I took advantage of all four. There was nothing better than watching her come undone in my hands and on my dick and then being able to hold her when she collapsed into my arms. All of which she did.
Completely bare, totally vulnerable, and fully exposed, Colbie leaned back and shattered what we’d just shared. “My mom took away piano last night.”
My brow furrowed. Colbie had hid that devastation, although I had no idea why.
“Why di
dn’t you tell me? Jesus, Colbie.” That was a tad bit more important than getting my rocks off, regardless of just how good her pussy felt.
She hopped up and quickly got dressed.
I shouldn’t have raised my voice, much less yelled. I never wanted to scare her. “Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to holler. I don’t understand. What do you mean she took piano away?” I stood—still naked—bringing her to my chest. I held her close with one hand on the back of her head and one on the small of her back.
It only took seconds for her to close her arms around my waist. “Caleb and Chasity think I do too much, and it’s taking a toll on me. They suggested to my parents that I give up piano to finish the school year strong.” Her words were broken between ragged breaths, but I’d still understood what she’d said.
I also hated Caleb and his stupid fucking wife. I had been rendered speechless. There wasn’t a single word that came to mind.
But she wasn’t done. “And I’m not allowed to run more than three miles a day. Daddy tried to insist that I limit that to five days a week.” She held on tight, and I waited for more. “But I got my way on that.” Her body shook with sobs that I couldn’t soothe. “Eli, they locked the piano last night.”
Caleb had done the exact opposite of what I’d suggested. Not only had he involved Chasity the shrew, he’d taken the only thing she cared about and the one thing none of them did—music. If they thought this would solve any issue Colbie had, they were sorely mistaken. The four of them had just compounded the problem exponentially. If he’d accomplished this at home, there was no doubt in my mind that he’d cut her off at the school as well. She wouldn’t have access to the practice rooms, and I was quite certain, they’d stop payments to Dr. Chalmers.
I didn’t have a clue where to begin to fix any of this. “I’m so sorry, Cole. So fucking sorry.” And I was. I could have lied to Caleb and said I hadn’t noticed anything. If I’d had any idea this would’ve been the end result, I would have. I would’ve lied through my teeth and then done everything I could to protect Colbie until the end of the year when I could get her out of here.
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