Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“What kind of classes?” Angela asked.
“You’re only fourteen,” Jason said.
“Fifteen,” Kristen and Angela said in unison.
Her birthday had been on December 11, less than a month earlier, so he was practically right, but he didn’t bother arguing.
“I talked with the principal, and we are in agreement that the school will support Kris if she wants to move faster than we’re able to accomplish. She can take study hall during her math hour, so she’ll have time to do homework during the day to make up for the time she’ll spend in her community college class after school hours. And we can give her credit for the college course toward her graduation requirements here.”
Jason looked at Angela, his eyebrows arched questioningly. The idea sounded good to him. If Kristen wanted to work harder and earn college credit early, he saw no reason to stand in her way.
“We’ll have to think about it and look at the schedule to make sure there are classes available after school hours,” Angela said.
“I already looked, Mom,” Kris said. “There’s a calculus class this semester at the CSN Henderson campus. Tuesdays and Thursdays from four thirty to six fifteen.” She bit her lip and tapped her foot. “Please?”
Jason didn’t remember ever being that excited about school. He had excelled, but that was because academics came easily to him and he wanted to rank higher than his classmates, not because he enjoyed doing the work.
“We need to think about this, Kristen,” Angela said. “Your father and I both work, so we’ll have to see if there’s a way to get you to class.”
“I can take the city bus to class and then you can pick me up after work,” she said to her mother. “You’re usually home right around that time.”
“No, you cannot take the city bus,” Jason growled. He might not interfere much when it came to parenting, but his little girl was not getting on a bus filled with strangers. Adult strangers. Male adult strangers. He knew exactly what they’d think when they got a look at her.
Abe chuckled, stealing Jason’s attention. He darted his gaze to Abe’s smiling face and immediately wanted to shove his cock between those plump red lips and tangle his fingers in the disheveled blond hair while those big blue eyes looked up at him. Yes, it was safe to say he had an excellent idea of how the male mind worked, and it was not getting access to his daughter.
“You’re too young to go riding all around town on the bus,” Jason said.
“It’s not all around town! The campus isn’t far.”
“You heard your father,” Angela said. “This time next year you’ll have your driver’s license and we can reevaluate.”
“It’s not fair!” Kristen yelled as she shot out of her chair. “This is the one thing I’m good at! The one thing that makes me feel… makes me feel…. It makes sense, and when I’m doing it my head makes sense, and you won’t even let me try!” In an unusual-for-her moment of drama, she raced out of the room.
All three of them looked at the door in shock for a few moments and then refocused on each other.
“Well.” Angela cleared her throat. “I apologize for that display. Kristen is usually much more even-keeled. I don’t know what got into her.”
“She genuinely enjoys learning,” Abe said. “I know she was hoping you’d let her take the calculus course, so she’s probably disappointed.” He reached for the papers strewn across the table and chewed on his upper lip. “I realize your family has a lot to consider, but if the only issue is transportation”—he raised his gaze to Angela and then flicked it to Jason—“I’m happy to drive her there. It’s not far and I have the time.”
“Why would you do that?” Angela asked suspiciously. “What would you get out of it?”
Abe flinched and his expression fell. “I’m sorry. I was only trying to help.” He got up. “I can see it wasn’t a good idea.” He wiped his hands on his khakis, drawing Jason’s attention to them and making him realize Abe was trembling again.
“Abe,” he said, reaching his hand out as he stood. “We didn’t mean anything by that.” Abe moved forward to pick up the manila folder, and Jason grabbed hold of his wrist. He held on tightly enough to keep Abe in place, but not hard enough to bruise. “We know you’re offering your time because you want to help Kristen.” He looked at Angela while he subconsciously rubbed his thumb back and forth across Abe’s wrist, trying to soothe. “Isn’t that right, Angela?”
Angela opened her mouth and then paused as she darted her gaze back and forth between Jason and Abe. “Right,” she said slowly. She lowered her gaze, wrinkled her forehead in thought, and then cleared her throat. “That’s right,” she said, her tone completely changed. “We would very much appreciate the help, Mr. Green.” She smiled at Abe as she stood up. “Please let us know if you need us to compensate you for gas money or travel time.”