Lessons In Love: An Older Man, Younger Woman Romance

by Arlo Arrow

  "So, what would you like for dinner?" I asked, rummaging around in the kitchen.

  "Well, I'm gonna eat back at school. I need to study, and I shouldn't be here too long."

  "That's right. She shouldn't," said Jeff, coming out of the guest bedroom. "Sorry I didn't come in the regular way. I just knew you were busy."

  Cecilia jumped and moved over by me.

  "It's okay. He's harmless, Cecilia." I turned to Jeff. "I didn't hear you come in. What's this about?"

  Cecilia looked at both of us and took that as her cue to leave. I didn't want her to, but unfortunately, Cecilia and Jeff were right.

  "Have a good night, darling," I said, kissing her on the forehead. “And here.” I took her phone and put my number into it. “Call me anytime.”

  "Thanks, I will. And good night to you too." She nodded her head to Jeff, and he returned the gesture.

  As soon as the door closed, he ran over to me with his hands out.

  "You're crazy! But hell, if it does you good, then don't let me stop you."

  "What do you want to talk about, Jeff?" I said, reaching into the fridge to take out two beers.

  Jeff threw himself down on a couch and propped his feet up on my coffee table.

  We were friends since middle school. His family and mine are as thick as thieves.

  "Still putting your dirty feet on things you shouldn't, eh?" I said, handing him a beer.

  "Yeah, well, you're not the proper one either. Got me worried outta my fucking mind. So far, nothing bad has reached my ears or the Judge's. You sure she's not gonna—"

  "Jeff, I know Cecilia. She'd never do that."

  "Did you hit it?" he asked, putting his feet on the floor.

  "Why do you want to know?" I chuckled.

  "God, this girl's got you. Well, I'll just make sure nothing happens to either of ya. Make an addition to the Dent family, right?"

  "You don't need to." I sat down on the couch across from him. "Her friend is a Ward."

  "Whoa, shit. Are you serious? That doesn't worry you?"

  "No, she's a good friend. Highly protective. But smart. The Wards aren't known for starting trouble. They just like making money . . . and skipping taxes every so often."

  Jeff and I shared a laugh and drank down our beers.

  "You're gonna be one powerful son of a bitch soon. I'm proud of you. It's a shame your old man made you wait so long for this inheritance though."

  I waved my drink in the air. "That doesn't bother me. If I were too young with all that power, then I'd have done all the wrong stupid things that young men do."

  Jeff took out his phone to check his messages.

  "So, anyone I need to check?"

  "No. Not now."

  Jeff sighed. "Once you get this inheritance, you won't need me. You'll have a whole army of hit-men."

  "But they're not my friends. No one can replace a good friend."

  I leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees. "Cecilia does have one problem I want you to take care of."

  Jeff smashed his fist into his other hand. "Good, about time I get to crack some heads open."

  I waved my index finger. "No, no. You won't be doing any cracking at all. This involves a tuition check."

  Chapter 11

  Cecilia

  I lost my virginity.

  I was walking out of George's home a real woman. Everything Alison had said about sex was an understatement. It was . . . blissful. Now I felt the importance of intimacy with a partner. It was more than satisfying a lust. It was a means of bonding, healing, and a show of trust in one another.

  A small smile sprouted onto my lips and I had a little skip in my step.

  George Dent was mine, and I was his. He was like a hero out of one of those fairytale stories that'd whisk the princess away.

  The way he took care of me, pleasured me, and made sure I was protected was everything a girl could ask for from a man. A real man.

  My body shivered at the thought of him between my legs, taking me without a care in the world.

  Before I could leave the hallway of his apartment building, a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind a wall.

  "Alison?"

  She put a finger to her lips. "Shush. You won't believe it, but Ms. Hawthorne is out there in her car, staring at this building. Walk out now, and you can kiss college and Mr. Dent goodbye."

  I peeked around the wall. I didn't see her, but at this angle, I could hardly see anything.

  "How do you know?"

  "Well, you know how I'm always checking my surroundings? I was just coming out the door when I saw her obnoxious white corvette sitting outside."

  "And you're sure it's her?"

  "Uh, duh, she's the only one with black rims on a white corvette. So tacky." Alison's face shriveled up in disgust as she stuck out her tongue.

  "So she's technically stalking Mr. Dent," Alison said. "And you too. Come on, there's a side door. I waited because I didn't want you getting caught by that crazy bitch. She wasn't in her car when I saw her, but she's there now."

  Alison tugged me over to another door which was out of her view. Ms. Hawthorne couldn't be in too many places at the same time. What was her malfunction? Why did she feel the need to bother George so much?

  Was it some mental trauma or something?

  "Alison, you drove here, right?"

  "Yeah, but I don't think we'll be able to drive back. Even if she sees me, she'll piece something crazy together."

  We ran down the street, nightfall looming above us with its purple and pink hued sky. The stars began to twinkle, and the moon was almost full.

  The night was cool and dry, giving our walk back to campus an easier pill to swallow.

  Fifteen minutes later, we were back at our dorm building and huddled up in our dorm room.

  "I'll text George and let him know your car is there. Maybe he can do something so it isn't towed."

  Alison sucked her teeth and waved her hand nonchalantly. "Please, I've got a ton of cars. I've been waiting for an excuse to pull out the Aston Martin anyway."

  I lay down on my small bed, right below Alison's. The mattress felt stiffer and harder than last time. Guess I was more accustomed to the plush cloud-like embrace of luxury now.

  The dorm was a slap back to reality for now.

  "You're so spoiled," I said, pulling out some notes from other classes to study from.

  I lay back, looking at my notes.

  "Alison?"

  "Yes?" She was busy changing into her night clothes, ready to go to sleep.

  "I'm going to change my major. No more law for me."

  She clapped her hands together. "Good! The law industry is greedy and cutthroat. I didn't want to see my innocent friend deal with that. Even if you weren't a virgin anymore."

  I laughed and continued studying. Well, everything but law. Whether I had to drop it or fail it, I didn't care. I was done.

  Life was too precious to waste. I needed a thrill, something to make me happier with my own life choices. Just like the choice to be with George despite the dangers that lurked around us.

  One thing I wanted to work on was being more honest. Secrets rotted me on the inside. For example, the dean.

  "Alison. I need to be honest. The reason I was crying wasn't just Ms. Hawthorne. The dean tried to pull some moves on me today, putting his hand on my thigh. What do you think I should do? I don't want to tell George. He'll try something too rash."

  Alison climbed onto her bed and hung off it upside down with half her body. "Revenge. Sweet revenge. I heard he's got the wandering eye for young girls too. I'm not surprised he tried some moves. But the fat bastard is gonna pay for doing it to you."

  "Alison, please don't do anything dangerous. There has to be a complaint form—"

  "They won't believe you. Let me speak to Milton Tash, my new flame, and I'll let you know!"

  "Wait! That's who you're dating now? I thought you didn't get down with the nerdy computer tech types."
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  Alison pulled herself back up on her bed.

  "I can get down with anyone who's game. Plus, Tash is a cutie and really sweet. He's also got a macho side to him, believe it or not. Goodnight, Cecilia. I'll be dreaming of sweet revenge!"

  "Goodnight," I said, rolling my eyes.

  The new day came as fast as the night went. I woke up early and found myself headed over to the registration and enrollment office to submit papers to change my major. The early morning air was cool and fresh. It reminded me of that wooded park that George had a view of from his balcony.

  This was a big decision, but I was going to make it work. Once I handed this in, there was no going back.

  English was my passion. The romance life I was living was more than enough fodder for a good novel. I could write books, teach, or even become a professor at a university or college myself.

  The line wasn't long since I was early, but when they called my name, I jumped out of my daydreaming and walked up to the window.

  "University ID?"

  "Here, I just want to submit papers to change my major."

  "All right, let me look you up in the system." The lady typed in my info and gave me a funny look. “You have an academic hold on changing your major, Ms. Winters.”

  “A hold?”

  “Yeah, let me see . . . apparently, the major you’re in is funded by a scholarship. And that particular program will make sure you don’t switch majors because they’re paying your tuition.”

  “Can’t I take out loans?”

  “Yeah, but if you do that, the scholarship people have a relationship with this school where they’ll get their money back and the school will put down that twenty thousand on your balance. Loans wouldn’t help you at that point.”

  The registration woman frowned and gave me my ID back. I was stuck in law?

  “What if I fail? Drop out?”

  Her eyes went wide. “You don’t want to do that, Ms. Winters. You’re in a very good school with a scholarship.”

  That was always the generic phrasing I was given when I wanted to buck the trend.

  “Have a good day,” I said, leaving the office.

  I went upstairs to the cafeteria area and went to the bathroom to regroup myself. I had even more things to think about.

  Maybe a different college? Cheaper? Then George and I could even date more freely. We could actually be an open couple.

  The door to the bathroom opened and someone walked in. I didn’t pay attention because I was deep in thought. But when that person stood beside me and didn’t move, I looked up into the mirror to see Ms. Hawthorne.

  I had to leave this school. Maybe then she’d stop stalking us.

  “Ms. Hawthorne, what do you want?” I said, gritting my teeth. This bitch was making me sick. I had enough bad news for today.

  A good punch to her face would’ve relieved my stress, but the consequences to that weren’t worth it.

  “Well, it looks like you didn’t listen. I know you were over at his place.”

  I turned around to face her. God, we were the only ones in the bathroom. Great timing.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have other classes to study for too.”

  I walked around her, but she held her arm out and pushed me back onto the edge of the sink.

  “Ow, my back! What’re you—”

  “I heard that disgusting noise! You were fucking him!” she hissed, baring her teeth. Her breath smelled like coffee and there was a lipstick smudge on her teeth.

  “What’s your deal?!Just because Mr. Dent doesn’t want to date you, you want to mess with me?”

  She grabbed my shirt and pulled me toward her. I slapped her hand off and backed up further into the bathroom.

  “If it weren’t for fast little sluts like you, then he’d be with the right woman!”

  “It still wouldn’t have been you!” I fired back.

  The bathroom door opened and a few students walked in. I took that as my chance to run, but she followed me.

  “And, oh, Ms. Winters? I have video of you leaving his place. Call it a last resort, but if you don’t leave this school after this semester, I’ll show it to the dean. I watch Mr. Dent like a hawk, and if I even sniff you around him, I’ll ruin him.”

  As if I needed more ammunition to leave this place. I only hoped that it’d be on good grounds, not blackmail.

  I could taste the bitterness of her threat on my tongue and I rushed outside so I could breathe in some fresh air. Ms. Hawthorne had the look of death in her eyes. She was being serious.

  It could’ve been a lie about the video, but since she found out where he lived and since she was compulsively banging on his door, then the video thing wasn’t so far-fetched after all. George was too kind, protective, and sweet to be destroyed. If I had to let him go to protect him, then so be it.

  But before I left this school, I was going to address one thing at least. And that was the dean. Alison had something up her sleeve, but I wanted to be more a part of it. I took out my phone and called her.

  “Alison! Spoke to Tash yet?” I asked, making my way over to my dorm. I looked over my shoulder to see if Ms. Hawthorne was following me. I was clear, for now.

  “Not yet. Why? I meet him in another hour or so.”

  “He’s good with computers and stuff, and I think I know of the right plan to get him out for good. So, let’s all meet at the library later on. Okay?”

  “Right-O, Captain!” Alison exclaimed. “Look at my Cecilia, getting all dangerous.”

  “Losing your virginity can do that to you. See you.” And falling in love.

  I sprinted upstairs to my dorm room and cleaned out every law book or law notes that I had. I only had two things to return to the bookstore, and that was it. I’d finish the rest of my classes, but I was going to have to drop the law and . . . the math class too.

  The reality of dropping George hit me and I dropped to the floor.

  This wasn’t fair to him. He deserved a life without skeletons in his closet.

  The sting of sacrifice. Now I understood what it was like to do something for someone you loved. My parents probably had to endure the same thing when they worked hard and could hardly spend time with me. Sometimes, life wasn’t all luxury and smooth riding.

  Then I had to back up and weigh what was going on very carefully. Was Ms. Hawthorne talking out of her ass? There was a slight chance.

  I refused to be the coward this time. We were already in too deep. Plus, if George denied Ms. Hawthorne again, there was nothing stopping her from retaliating from that.

  I changed clothes and put on a more discrete outfit. It was my gray hoodie and dark skinny jeans. I slipped out of my dorm through the back and took the bus around to George’s. The trip ended up being a one-hour detour, but it didn’t look like I was going to his place, which was what I needed.

  Once I was close, I texted him to come pick me up at the store I got off the bus at.

  But he didn’t answer.

  Chapter 12

  George

  I didn't like the distance Cecilia and I were forced to share since she lived in a dorm. I still didn't get a dorm room number from her, and even if I did, the security there seems tough. At least I knew Alison was there by her side.

  But Cecilia had a stubborn streak sometimes. She'd still walk by herself and get caught in the rain.

  As I drove to the campus, I looked around to see if she was out here again, walking around by herself, being rebellious.

  But I knew better. She left a few hours ago, so she wouldn't be out here.

  Parking was a pain to get, but I managed to find something near the classroom I was going to teach in. Once inside the classroom, I unpacked my briefcase, looking at the planned lectures I had to give today.

  Being a teacher was a humbling experience. I was prepared to keep teaching, just at a different school. Maybe somewhere like a high school, where I could get kids ready for life.

  My phone s
lid out from a handful of papers and hit the desk.

  "Fuck, how did I miss that?" I scolded myself. Grabbing my phone off the desk to inspect it for a shattered screen, I turned it on and saw two missed texts. They were from Cecilia.

  She was near my place?

  Right as I went to dial her number, Ms. Hawthorne spilled into my classroom, her awful cloud of perfume leaching in before her.

  “Yes? May I help you?” I asked, irritated with her presence.

  “Now that you’re going to be free from that pesky brat clouding your mind, I thought we could start again.”

  “Pesky brat?”

  She threw her hands on her hips and leaned over, her cleavage showing. “That Cecilia character. You don’t want her. She’s a whore—sleeps around with any guy she can find.”

  “Ms. Hawthorne, Cecilia could have never existed and I’d still pass you over. Even in a different lifetime.”

  Ms. Hawthorne’s lips and nose flared, and her body shook. What was this obsession with me?

  “Ms. Hawthorne. There are many men out there dying to have you. Go look for them, because I’m not one of them, and I never will be. Now out!” I pointed to the door. Students started to pour into the classroom and I internally thanked their presence. She clacked her heels out of my classroom and I was able to draw in fresh air again.

  Five minutes before class officially began, the dean popped his head into my class and motioned for me to come over. He didn’t have the jovial look on his face that I’d seen in various pictures. Maybe I could ask him what he had to say to Cecilia.

  And if I could guess why he was here in the first place, it was probably Ms. Hawthorne. How in the fuck had that woman kept her job this long? Connections? I didn’t remember Hawthorne being a big name like the Dents and Wards.

  I went outside the classroom with the dean.

  “Something wrong?”

  “My office—we’ll talk more there.”

  We went down to his office, and inside, he had his laptop up and open, facing toward me. He sat down behind his desk and played a video clip. It was me and Cecilia going into my apartment.