Page 25

It was 9 AM, and Lucy and I were cuddling on her couch. I was in my boxer shorts; she only had my T-shirt on. I had planned on leaving by nine, conscious that Michael was driving back that afternoon. It took five hours to drive from Koby Plains, but I wanted to leave no trace of myself when he returned.

Unfortunately, I was too relaxed lying on the couch with Lucy. We ate popcorn and occasionally made out. But we mainly just enjoyed the limited time we had to be together before we went back to sneaking around.

I didn't know when I fell asleep. I couldn't even call it that. But I felt comfortable enough with Lucy, secure in my arms, to doze off with her.

I immediately sensed something was off as I was floating between dreamland and lucidness. An energy in the air made the hairs on my forearm prick. Lucy, who was so attuned to me as I was to her, grasped my arm.

"What is it?" She sleepily asked.

Someone was in the house. I could feel it. I knew who it was, too, but before I could react, a loud bellow sounded.

"Are youfuckingkidding me?!"

We bolted from the couch in a panic. I instinctively placed an arm out, blocking Lucy behind me.

"D-Dad!" Lucy cried, her voice trembling with fear. My heart was beating rapidly, and I was scared for the first time in my life. Not of myself or losing my job or my career. But of losing Lucy.

I thought we had time. That we could stay in our little bubble for as long as possible and step out when we were ready. I planned on sitting Michael down, man to man, and confessing that I had feelings for his daughter. Feelings that started after she graduated, of course. I couldn't reveal the whole truth.

But now, it looked like that choice had been ripped away from us.

Because Michael was standing twelve feet away, his furious eyes bounced between us and the couch - as if he was struggling to comprehend what he saw.

I could feel Lucy's shivering length behind me, clasping my back. My naked back.

That was when Michael snapped out of his stupor as he took in our attire - or lack thereof. One look at my naked chest, his hands clenched in rage before he charged at me.

"You fucking bastard! You're her teacher! What the fuck are you doing?!" He screamed.

"Daddy, no!" Lucy pushed in front of me, raising her hands to her Dad, pleading with him to stop. "It's my fault! I-I called him round to help with my homework and seduced him -"

"Lucy,no," I stepped in front of her, horrified that she would try and take the fall for any of this.

I faced Michael like a man. It would be better if I weren't half naked, but I could hardly whip my shirt off Lucy or leave the room to make myself decent.

"Michael, I know you're pissed. I don't blame you. But I love your daughter -"

Whack!

My head jerked to the side as pain exploded in my jaw. I heard Lucy scream as she grabbed at my shoulder. I straightened, shaking my head and rubbing my jaw.

Well!

I couldn't say I didn't deserve that. If Lucy and I ever had a daughter, I would react the same if I caught her in the same compromising position. The irony was not lost on me.

"You fucking pervert! You're finished, you hear? Done! Taking advantage of my daughter like -"

"Daddy, howcouldyou?!" Lucy cried as she tried again to step in front of me while I attempted to steer her back.

"Lucy," her father growled as he regarded me lividly. "Get away from him.Now."

"You're going to want to calm down, Michael," I warned, not liking how he spoke to my girl.

He pointed a finger in my face. "Don't you fucking tell me how to talk to my daughter! Get the hell out of my house before I call the police."

I breathed deeply, attempting to rein in my temper. I knew I was in the wrong. I knew I had no business sleeping with one of my students, falling in love with her, and befriending her father. But my soul was protesting at the thought of leaving my distressed girlfriend behind.

Sensing my internal struggle, Lucy clutched my hand in her small one. Michael growled at the gesture and ordered Lucy to step away from me again. She squeezed my hand briefly. I could feel her anguish through her shaking fingers, and it took everything in me not to lift her delicate hand to my mouth. "Go, Roman. I'm safe here." Her voice was heavy with sorrow, almost defeated, as if she was resigned to our fate.