Page 113 of A Little Twist
Mrs. Priddy steps out of her door and smiles at me, walking over. “Cass.” She takes my hand. “I can’t tell you how happy I was when Dr. Bayer told me the news, and you’ll be assisting me after Christmas?”
“Yes! I’ll complete my basic courses this fall, then I’ll do my student teaching.”
“Extra, extra, read all about it.” Piper slides up beside me, giving me a hug. “We need to do a story on Eureka Elementary’s newest teacher. How does it feel?”
Alex is standing by the wall chatting with Adam. The contrast between the two is striking. Adam is relaxed, like he’s done this four times already. Alex has his arms crossed over his chest like he’s putting on a brave front.
“It’s the strangest thing.” My voice is quiet. “I didn’t raise her, and I still think I’m going to cry.”
“Oh, girl, I was on the couch sobbing when Ryan started kindergarten. Adam had to take me out for mimosas.”
“That’s nice.” My eyes narrow, and I glance from my friend to her ever-present protector. “Adam always looks out for you.”
“Yeah, he’s been great since Rex died.”
“That was nine years ago.”
I’m ready to make her talk when Britt skips up behind me, giving me a hug. “How’s it going?”
“Everybody keeps asking me that,” I stage-whisper. “I’m going to cry, okay? Let’s all just accept it.”
“Aw, sweet Cass.” Britt strokes the side of my hair. “You’re such a good little mama.”
“Before I forget, Pinky’s birthday party is tomorrow at noon at Patricia’s house. We’ll have hot dogs and cake and they can swim, and all the things.”
“We’ll be there!” Britt sings. “Her gift is wrapped and ready. Now I have to get back to the courthouse. Aiden says I’m babying Owen walking him to school on his first day.”
“We’ll keep on babying them as long as they let us,” Piper argues. “They’ll be graduating high school before we know it.”
The bell rings, and my heart squeezes. Pinky is sitting on the floor with Crimson holding hands and watching everything with wide eyes, but as soon as that noise sounds, her eyes fly to mine.
The flash of panic in her expression knots my throat, and I press my lips together, forcing an encouraging smile. Alex steps up beside me, taking my hand, and Mrs. Priddy steps out with her arms extended.
“Today is the day, it’s the first day of school!” She sings the song fromCoComelon, and a few of the children start to sing along with her.
Pinky’s attention is diverted to the teacher, and Alex gives me a little pull. “Let’s go.”
My chest tightens, and the heat fills my eyes. Holding my smile steady, I wave as the teacher helps them line up to file into the colorful classroom.
She’s not looking as we slip out the side door, and the minute it closes with a metal clatch, I press my face into Alex’s chest as a tear sneaks onto my cheek.
His arms are around me. “Are you crying?”
“She’s so grown up…” He moves me back, and his astonished face makes me cover my mouth with my hand. “I can’t help it. It’s a big step!”
Hugging me close again, he kisses the side of my cheek. “You know I love you, right?” I nod, and he laughs gently. “I think I fell in love with you even more just now.”
* * *
“Piper saidAdam took her out for mimosas after Ryan’s first day of kindergarten.” Arching my back, I reach over my shoulder to kiss his jaw. “I like your way better.”
We’re back at the house, and we only made it a few steps through the door before he bent me over the couch. His pants were down and my skirt was over my ass faster than I could sayfuck me, Alex. Now I’m wrapped in his arms, buzzing from a full-body orgasm.
“I don’t like to see my girl cry.” His low voice behind my ear sends a sizzle through my legs.
“I’m just glad it’s Friday. We have the weekend to get over it.” I turn, going to the bathroom to clean up. “You men are clearly made of stone.”
After cleaning up, we’re in the kitchen where I take out all the ingredients for the snickerdoodle cake I’m making for Pinky’s birthday.