Page 43 of Ravage

I forgot about Sam.

When would be a good time for me to help him with his math?

Do you want me to get with Ava about that or wait until he’s with you?

Me:

You don’t have to worry about that.

We’ll get someone from school to tutor him or something.

Emery:

No. I want to do it.

Besides, I already promised.

Me:

I’ll get with Ava and see what day would be best.

I’ll bring him one day after work.

Emery:

Okay. Sounds good.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket and got busy with work. It was a hell of a day. Mondays always were. I hadn’t had a chance to catch my breath before we were all loading up and driving to the clubhouse for church. It hadn’t gone as I’d expected. Prez wasn’t ready to start throwing punches with the Vipers. He had some feelers out and wanted to know what the dispute was about before we retaliated.

I got where he was coming from. We didn’t want to spill blood if it wasn’t necessary, but these assholes were crossing lines. They could only push so far before we had to push back. There was too much at stake. Too many lives on the line, and I protected what was mine. And at the moment, I wasn’t just thinking about my kids. I was thinking about her, and I had no business thinking like that.

Two days later, I found myself sitting in her kitchen, pretending to scroll through the daily news instead of watching her help Sam with his math. It wasn’t easy. I was a little spellbound by how good she was with him. It came so naturally to her, like she didn’t even have to try.

And Sam was eating it up. Hell, they were talking about his least favorite subject, and the kid was actually smiling. It was hard not to smile right along with him, especially when Emery was sitting there looking so damn comfortable teaching my kid how to do something he hated.

And she looked beautiful doing it.

She was dressed casually in jeans and a nice blouse, and her hair was pulled back, making it easier to see that little crease between her eyebrows when she thought about the next problem. She was over there with my son, doing something completely innocent, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Friday night.

I shifted on the stool, positioning myself where it was harder to watch Sam and Emery together, and continued to scroll on my phone. I tried to focus on anything except her, but every so often, I’d find myself stealing a quick glance in her direction.

I needed to put an end to this shit before I did something stupid. Hell, I’d already done something stupid by offering to teach her. I had to take it back, tell her that I couldn’t do it, and end this before we crossed a line neither of us could uncross.

“Okay. I think that’s it,” Emery announced, pulling me from my thoughts. “I think you’ve got it.”

“Yeah, I think I do,” Sam replied proudly.

“You did good.”

“Thanks to you.” Sam smiled wide. “You’re a way better teacher than Ms. Hazel.”

“Well, thank you. I’m glad I could help.”

I stood and started over to them as I said, “Proud of you, buddy. You need to thank Emery for her help.”

“I already did.” Sam glanced over at her as he added, “I told her she was invited to our next pizza night.”

“You did?”