Good And Bad – Chapter Six
Paranoia was a frightening disease. It was what you got when you lied, Shari knew. She wondered how long she could keep her secret from her friends, coworkers, and the parents to her students. What would the school board of this still overly conservative southern elementary school think? How would the parents react?
Lying and keeping secrets really rubbed Shari the wrong way. Telling the school board that she’d had a one-night stand and got knocked up wouldn’t truly be the best policy. Eventually she’d have to file insurance papers and the truth would be known. Shari Baker, schoolteacher and single mother, taught in their school.
Perhaps she was being a little over sensitive. Dear God, it was the new millennia. Surely they wouldn’t be that backwards. No, her job wasn’t in jeopardy. It wouldn’t be that drastic. People were cruel at times, as Shari had cause to know. The parents and board wouldn’t fire her, but they could make life very uncomfortable.
After hours of scrambling after her elementary students, Shari was exhausted. She saw the kids out the door and onto waiting buses or into the arms of loving parents. She couldn’t help but picture her own small child, knowing that it wouldn’t be long until he or she was part of the after school crowd.
Shari disappeared back into her classroom and spent a few moments straightening up after the rambunctious class. There was quite a pile of papers to grade, but they were fairly simple. Of course, the truth was Shari just didn’t have the energy to tackle them right now.
She made her way to the back of Oswald Elementary. It wasn’t a large school and she made her way to the teacher’s parking lot in just a few moments. She was grateful that no one bothered to join her in the main hall. Cruel or not, she was glad that her co-workers were busy with their own work.
Shari froze as the large security doors slipped closed behind her. Like a deer caught in headlights, she couldn’t move. In the small, plain schoolyard there was nowhere to hide. There, parked next to her car, was a massive Harley and the even more massive rider.
The door was now locked behind her. She had no option but to go forward. Forward to what, she wondered. What the hell could he possible want with her now? Watching The Dead Man raise his sunglasses onto his head, Shari was well aware he saw her. It was as unavoidable as the tide.
“You done here?” Mark asked. He asked it as if nothing had happened. He acted as if he had a right to know. Shari wanted to be angry, but his warm voice had melted her bones as well as a green apple martini on an empty stomach. Now what the hell should she do?
“Why are you asking?”
“Because I want to know.” He answered dryly.
“I don’t have anything to say to you.”
“Maybe I have some talking to do.”
What a creep. The thought crept through her mind like a cockroach at night. She really should tell him off. Then he took one big paw and stroked his goatee. It was a normal, nervous reaction that was all Mark. It was as endearing as anything he could have done. The great Undertaker was nervous … over her.
“Okay. Where would you like to go?” Shari asked finally.
“I somehow think my place is out of the question.”
“That’s pretty sure.”
“Are you hungry? We could go catch a sandwich over at Lucky’s.”
Shari agreed without delay and moved towards her VW. She didn’t want any of her friends coming out and having a coronary. She figured someone would call the cops if they saw this massive, sexy, tattooed biker laying in wait in the parking lot.
A public meeting would be acceptable. She would rather invite him back to her own place, but the apartment was still not livable, despite all the promises she kept receiving. April would be home and though she loved her friend dearly, Shari didn’t imagine that Taker would feel at all comfortable.
Lucky’s was quite popular, but not too busy as it was too early for the dinner rush yet at 3:30. Shari found a place to park and wordlessly moved to Taker’s side. At one point, Shari knew she would have felt proud and powerful being at this man’s side in public. Now she felt cheap and weak, like the tawdry whore she’d played for this all too charismatic man.
People stared as they walked across the asphalt and into the small bar and grill. It was apparent that they were not going to be given the privacy to discuss anything of importance. It wasn’t the last mistake she’d make, Shari knew.
It only took a moment for Shari to recognize what mistake she may have made. After a few words with the hostess, the odd couple were shown though the restaurant and into a small, private dining room. It seemed she had forgotten how much pull The Dead Man had. Well, she recognized wryly, at least she had tried to.
“Can I take your drink order?” the cute, teenaged waitress asked.
“Beer.” Taker answered automatically.
“I’d like a green apple martini,” Shari ordered, “But I’ll take a Squirt.” She got the laser glare she had been waiting for and returned it with a glare of her own. Not that it was near as effective, she was sure.
“We really should talk.” Taker stated the obvious as the waitress walked away.
“I don’t know why.” Shari answered coolly.
“You really are pregnant, aren’t you?”
“I don’t lie.” She answered hotly.
“Then you’d be the first,” he replied darkly, “Why weren’t you on the pill?”
“I was a virgin, first off. Why would I be? Besides, I don’t owe you any explanation.”
Taker nodded, knowing her words held the truth that he didn’t want to hear. She sat there, all big eyes and pale skin. The freckled dusting her nose were so sexy, Taker nearly snatched her across the table. He wanted nothing more than to kiss the oh so angry and scared look off her face.
“I really want to say what I came here for.” he muttered. It was obvious he really did have something to say so Shari leaned back in her chair to wait.
“All right.”
“I think you ought to move in with me.”
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