Chapter Fourteen
Tiffany Duke stood in the shower, trembling despite the hot water rushing over her. Tilting her head back, she let the water pour over her forehead and soak her hair.
She had kissed Tony last night. Mr. Roth, she tried to correct herself but couldn’t. He’d never be ‘Mr. Roth’ again. She remembered how dark and intense his eyes had been in that instant before their lips met. That too brief, rush of adrenaline through her when kissed her.
But he had pulled away almost instantly, horrified by what he had done. Her first kiss, she thought bitterly, and he had reacted as if burned with acid. His claims of attraction did nothing to soothe her hurt feelings, nor her embarrassment.
She knew on a rational level that it was impossible for them to be together. The ten year age difference wasn’t a big deal, Luke was eight years older than Honey, and Honey had been eighteen when they met. Tiffany also knew her mother wasn’t a virgin on her wedding night.
But Luke hadn’t been Honey’s teacher. Tony was Tiffany’s teacher. That changed everything. Morally, ethically, he couldn’t touch her. But he had. She had seen the longing in his eyes, she felt the desire from him, she was sure of it.
Running her hands over her wet hair first, Tiffany reached for her lavender scented shampoo. Tony had stood so close she could smell his aftershave. His breath had lingered on her neck and she longed for him to actually touch her.
Was this how Aralyn felt around Cam? Giddy and breathless? It seemed like it. But Tony couldn’t look adoringly at her like Cam and Aralyn. He could lose his job. She was of legal age, but she knew that teachers were strictly forbidden from getting involved with students.
So what to do now? She wondered. Would Tony act differently on Monday? Would he not look at her anymore? She knew now she hadn’t been imaging when she caught him looking in her direction.
***
“You look awfully dreamy,” Aralyn commented. “What planet are you on?”
Tiffany shook her head. She was lying on Aralyn’s bed, her history book open. Aralyn sat on the floor, against a large reclining pillow, her laptop next to her. The pair was working on their history project, but Aralyn noticed Tiffany wasn’t listening to the passage about one of Robert Kennedy’s advisors she had been reading out loud.
“Hmm? Oh, nothing. I’m just tired.”
"You don’t look tired. You look dreamy.” Aralyn stared hard at her cousin. “Do you have a new crush? One that isn’t married?”
Tiffany felt her face flame red. She never could lie well, especially to her cousin. Aralyn’s mouth fell open. “You’re holding out on me? Spill!”
“There’s nothing to tell and no one new,” she muttered. “I told you, he’s not available.”
Aralyn gasped. “Tiff, did something happen with him? The married man?”
Tiffany hesitated, and threw out lie number two to her cousin and best friend. “No.”
“Tiff, you know you can’t!” Aralyn was aghast and clearly didn’t believe her.
“Yeah, I know,” she muttered. Guilt ate at her. She had never lied to Aralyn. Or kept a secret from her, for that matter.
“Oh my God, Tiffany, you aren’t going to pursue him!”
“Of course not,” Tiffany said crossly, reaching for her bottled water. “I’m not a home wrecker. I don’t even know if he knows I’m alive.” Lie number three.
“Who is it?” Aralyn demanded.
Tiffany balked. “You don’t know him,” she hedged. She hated the horrified look in Aralyn’s eyes. The thought of her cousin thinking something so potentially negative about her just hurt.
“I know everyone you do,” Aralyn rebutted.
“It’s a guy I met at the bookstore,” she muttered.
“Oooo, he reads, then. That’s sexy.” Aralyn grinned. “What’s so attractive about this guy that you’d crush on a married man?” He had to be something amazing, she thought.
Tiffany felt the despair creeping up. She didn’t want to tell anymore lies, but if she was too close to the truth, Aralyn could figure it out. She had already lied he was married.
“He’s quiet. Sensitive. Well read,” Tiffany said. “Kind of like a slightly older version of Cam.”
That was all it took to get her cousin raving about Cam and distracted from the topic, to Tiffany’s relief. Tiffany let her cousin ramble, her secret safe for a little bit longer.
***
Monday morning, Tiffany walked into English class behind Aralyn and Cam. She took her seat, eyeing Tony, who sat at his desk, typing furiously on his laptop.
She glanced at the door as Callie West sauntered in. Tiffany wondered how the girl avoided numerous dress code violations. Her push up bras threatened to send her spilling over the neckline of her tops, though Tiffany knew Callie’s cup size was about her own, and not that big. While she didn’t wear miniskirts, her pants often looked painted on, and Callie had no hips. Aralyn had often commented on how Callie was built like a twelve year old boy, and she didn’t know why the boys liked her.
Today was no exception, Callie made sure to sashay past Tony’s desk, glancing at him coyly. Tiffany smiled inwardly when Tony didn’t even see Callie; he was too intent on his laptop.
The bell rang and he shut the lid on the computer, standing up. Tiffany noticed how the deep blue of his sweater made his eyes look browner, and his hair was in its usual tousled state.
“All right, so now we’re into Dante’s Inferno. If you started your reading assignment like you were supposed to, then you know the general outline. Who wants to start with the primary theme? Mr. Kent?”
Cam tore his eyes away from Aralyn and grinned at her before opening the discussion.
***
“Trust me, he won’t resist,” Callie hissed to her friend.
Tiffany ignored them as she swapped out her books in the locker. She didn’t really want to know what Callie was up to but she had a sinking feeling it involved Tony. The way Callie panted after him made Tiffany’s stomach lurch. But Callie had never been subtle, even when she hooked up with Tiffany’s first crush in the seventh grade. Callie wore her sexuality like a badge, out for everyone to see, and proud of it. The only males that had escaped her were Cam and Dean. She had come onto Dean once last year and he had shot her down hard, gaining him favor with both Duke girls.
But Tony had barely looked at her in class today, she thought sadly. She had worn her favorite green sweater, the classic one that hugged her slender frame and brought out her hazel eyes, and the pretty brown slacks that flattered her hips. Luke had always liked her and Honey in green, and Tiffany never failed to receive compliments. She had even elegantly pinned up her long hair. Her grandmother Madeleine was frequently saying that with Tiffany’s classic features, her hair should always be up and back to show off her face and graceful neck.
But Tony hadn’t noticed today, she thought sadly. He hadn’t even looked at her.
“How’s my favorite Duke girl?” a cheerful male voice asked.
She glanced up from staring into her locker and half smiled. “Hi, Dean.”
He fell into step with her as they headed towards their next class. “Do you have plans this weekend?” he asked.
She nodded and smiled. “Yes. And they don’t involve you.”
Dean laughed. “Dad is sponsoring some fundraiser this weekend and he was hoping someone from your family might show. Your grandparents and parents declined for prior engagements but he was hoping you might come along.”
Tiffany gave him a look that clearly said he was nuts. “Dean, that’s the most pathetic excuse you’ve tried yet.”
With a big grin, he laughed. “Can’t blame a guy for trying. But seriously, he’s hoping someone from your family would be available.”
“I really can’t,” she answered. “Aralyn is out for a few more weeks at least on the team so we’ve been having some extra practice time with her replacement. The four of us are so used to working together we really need to practice to stay on top. Aralyn can help coach us along but she’s still not allowed to play.”
“Okay, thought I’d try.”
Dean didn’t seem hurt, she thought with relief.
Tiffany just shook her head and chuckled as she headed to class.
***
Lunch time was agony for Tiffany. She joined Aralyn at their usual table with Tracy, which had a good view of the glass enclosed room the teachers often ate in. She could see Tony, sitting in very close proximity to Miss Jones, one of the other English teachers. They were laughing about something, she thought with a bit of sadness, wishing she was sitting there with him.
“So anyway, I heard Mr. Roth has quite a reputation with the ladies already.” Tracy said, her dark eyes sparkling with the fun of gossip. She had a knack for picking up the latest news around school. “He’s only been here like, a month, but apparently he’s the hot topic among the ladies.”
“He is relatively attractive,” Aralyn admitted.
Tiffany felt her blood run cold. “Where’d you hear this?” she managed to ask.
Tracy didn’t notice anything odd about her friend’s tone and she eagerly continued on with her story.
“I heard Miss Jones talking to Mrs. Norris this morning, about how he’s been hanging around her room after class.”
Tiffany’s heart plummeted.
“Well, their rooms are right next to each other,” Aralyn pointed out. “Besides, don’t you think Miss Jones is a bit…plain for him? She hasn’t had a date since we were freshmen.”
“That we know of,” Tracy said mysteriously. “Word has it Miss Rossen of the science lab also has her eye on him.”
“As the Cafeteria Turns,” Aralyn said sarcastically. “Maybe a nice little love triangle will distract Roth from writing the final!”
Tiffany didn’t answer, her sandwich stuck in her throat. Miss Jones might be plain but Miss Rossen was often considered the sexiest of the single female teachers. Her skirts seemed a bit too short, her blouses a bit too low, and all she had to do was bat her very long (and fake, according to Tracy) eyelashes and the boys melted. Her blonde hair was always styled and her nail polish never chipped. In other words, she was perfect. It didn’t take much to get a few boys to scrape ice off her windshield in the afternoons.
“Hey, speak of the devil,” Aralyn nudged her. “Rossen just went into the teacher’s lunch room.”
The three girls tried to watch without being obvious, but Aralyn had to turn in her seat a bit.
“What are you three up to?” Cam asked, taking the seat next to Aralyn.
“Spying,” Tracy answered without shame.
“Do I want to know?” he asked.
“No,” the three chimed together.
Cam just shook his head and chuckled.
Tiffany had to look away. Miss Rossen had sat on Tony’s other side, way too close for her liking. Miss Jones seemed to shrink back almost, and Tiffany almost felt sorry for her. Almost.
***
After school, Tiffany picked up her and Aralyn’s backpacks. Aralyn couldn’t carry the weigh with her shoulder compromised, so Cam carried her books most of the day and Tiffany did so when he wasn’t around. Their hockey gear was in their lockers in the gym so they didn’t have to schlep it around.
The pair was headed towards the gym when Aralyn chuckled.
“Look, there’s Mr. Roth. Looks like Miss Rossen has him snared after all.”
Tiffany’s head shot up and looked in the direction Aralyn was looking. The two teachers were walking together, slowly, and laughing over something.
Tiffany turned away, praying her cousin wouldn’t see the tears that threatened to spill over. Somehow she had to contain them. Aralyn couldn’t find out.
***
The rest of the week dragged for Tiffany. Tony seemed nervous in class, fumbling through the discussions and forgetting what he was saying.
Tiffany watched one day as Callie sauntered up to his desk to ask a question, leaning over more than necessary to display her push-up bra enhanced cleavage.
Staring out the window, she thought back to the prior weekend. He had admitted to wanting her. They had kissed, ever so briefly. But now he was likely involved with one of the other teachers and she had to watch Callie West being more of a slut than usual.
Her focus had been off at practice. They were working with Jenn, Aralyn’s replacement on the field, but Tiffany hadn’t been able to concentrate and it was showing in her play. She had missed two easy shots that Diana sent her way. She had been reamed out by their coach for the lack of attention and she knew Aralyn was worried.
Friday couldn’t come fast enough and when the final bell rang, Tiffany bolted. Cam would take Aralyn home, and she needed some alone time. Tonight was her usual night at the bookstore, but she was pretty sure she wouldn’t see Tony there. He’d be off with Miss Rossen, Tiffany thought bitterly.
After dinner, she escaped, to go hide at the bookstore.
She was determined to show Daisy she could handle a job at Daisy Duke Designs. Her college applications had already been filled out and sent in, even though Aralyn was insistent they would be driving around the country. That did sound like fun, but Tiffany knew her interest was more of just following along Aralyn than real desire. Last weekend she hadn’t thought about the trip, she had been too caught up in her dreams of Tony, and the summer romance they’d be able to go public with. Now, a cross country trip sounded perfect. The open road, just her and her cousin, with no Tony.
She was deep into a book when a voice interrupted her. “I thought I’d find you here.”
Slowly, she glanced up, her heart pitter-pattering. Tony stood in front of her, hands in pockets of a pair of faded jeans, his loose black sweater making him look thinner.
“I’m usually here on Fridays,” she said coolly.
“Tiffany—” he paused. “Let me buy you a cup of coffee. I want to talk to you.”
“I don’t think you should be seen in public with a student,” she kept her icy tone.
He sighed. “You’re right. Come over to my place, so we can talk.”
“I don’t see that we have anything to talk about.”
He knelt in front of her. “Please don’t be this way, Tiffany. Come back to my place so I can tell you everything. Maybe then you won’t be so mad at me.”
She kept reading, her pretty features set in stone.
After he left with a dejected sigh, she swallowed hard. Was she being unfair? She had no claim on him. She couldn’t. Never mind the powerful draw she felt to him, even in the classroom. It just couldn’t be and she knew it.
Closing her eyes, she reached up and brushed away the tears that were spilling over. This was ridiculous, she thought. She couldn’t have him. She couldn’t. He couldn’t. But it hurt, so deeply, that he had already found a girlfriend, when just a week ago…
Shutting her book, Tiffany rose and grabbed her purse, heading for the door.
Moments later she knocked firmly on the door. How dare he? How dare he toy with her this way, acting like he wanted her, then not? This wasn’t about him being her teacher; she thought angrily, this was about him being a man, and she a woman.
He opened the door, clearly startled to see her.
“Tiffany?”
“I don’t think there’s much you can say to change my opinion of you,” she said coldly, walking in. “But I suppose even a creep is allowed the chance.”
“I’m not a creep,” he said softly. “I know I’ve upset you, but if you’ll give me a chance to explain, I can. Take your jacket off, get warm.”
Tiffany shrugged, hating that she wanted to throw herself into his arms. She did unzip her jacket, and removed her hat and gloves.
“You’re acting like a scorned girlfriend,” he said gently.
Tiffany felt the unfamiliar surge of anger. “What am I supposed to act like, Tony? Last week you kissed me and told me you wanted me, and then this week you’re all over another teacher!”
“I never should have said what I did last week, let alone kiss you” he said quietly. “I never meant to hurt you, but we can’t be together, no matter how much I want you.” Without thinking, he reached for her, his fingertips brushing against her skin.
“And Miss Rossen?” she demanded.
“Is a friend who enjoys feeding rumor mills but has no interest in me. That’s as much as I can say on that without violating her confidence.”
Tiffany looked away. How could a woman not him? His touch sent a shiver down her spine as he caressed her cheek.
“Tiffany, I’m not seeing anyone,” he said. “But that also means I can’t see you. I can’t date a student.”
“I know that,” she whispered, fixing her big hazel eyes on him.
“If things could be different…” he stepped forward and gently took her in his arms to hug her.
Tiffany’s thoughts were a jumbled mess and she couldn’t think straight. She could smell his aftershave; feel his heart pounding through his chest as she snuggled into the warm hug. She wanted more. She knew it was so wrong, but she wanted more.
Tilting her head up, she found him staring at her. The intensity radiating from his eyes scorched through her, and she found herself pressing her body against his, one hand on his chest.
“Tony,” she whispered.
“I like the way you say my name,” he murmured.
“We can’t,” she mumbled.
“I know.” But he did it anyway, pressing his lips to hers as he pulled her to him tightly.
Tiffany let herself meld against him, her lips opening for him hesitantly. Her knees weakened and she clung to him as the kiss grew. His hand ran through her hair and she didn’t protest when he lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around him. He carried her to the couch, where they ended up in a tangled heap of limbs, lips searching and exploring. Finally, he pulled away, leaving her feeling cold and empty.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I shouldn’t have—I shouldn’t have put so much pressure on you.”
“It’s okay,” Tiffany straightened her sweater as they untangled themselves. “I can’t help the way I am around you.”
“I could be in so much trouble if anyone finds out,” he murmured.
“They won’t,” she promised. “I’m not about to tell.”
“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured. “So innocent.”
His lips were on her again, and she responded eagerly this time, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“We can’t continue,” he muttered, finally pulling away and resting his forehead against hers.
“Yes, we can,” she said boldly. “Nothing changes at school. But I can meet you here; we’ll keep it a secret.”
“Your cousin—”
“Is too wrapped up in her own boyfriend to notice. Tony, I want to be with you. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met and I can’t stop thinking about you,” she said breathlessly. “I’ve thought about nothing but you all week.”
“Me either,” he admitted. “But that means we can’t go out anywhere. I can’t take you out for dinner or to a movie.”
“I’m okay with that,” she said shyly. “I just want to be with you. I’ve been thinking about you for weeks.”
“The first day I started, I couldn’t help notice how beautiful and shy you seemed,” he brushed her hair back.
Tiffany couldn’t help herself, she leaned to kiss him and he pushed her back into the sofa.
***
Tiffany lay in silence, her body wrapped around his. She ached from the losing of her virginity, and her head was spinning. Tony had been gentle and loving, and stunned to realize she was a virgin, even though she had told him last week she’d never been kissed. He kept trying to apologize but she shook her head.
“I’m glad it’s you,” she told him. They made love twice, and she knew she needed to be getting home but she didn’t want to leave the bed they had finally ended up in, or his arms.
“I feel so guilty,” he sighed.
“Don’t,” she insisted, sitting up at to look at him as her long, honey colored hair spilled over her shoulder. “I’m not a child. I’m eighteen. You didn’t coerce me.”
“I know you’re an adult legally,” he said, “but you’re still my student.”
“But you want to be with me, right?” she asked.
“Of course I do. I’ve wanted you for so long, I just can’t believe it’s real. But we have to be so very careful. I could lose my job and I don’t want to think about what your family would do to me.”
“Forget them,” she said, annoyed. “We can be together here, where no one sees us, and no one will have to know. It’ll be just you and me.”
“That’s what I want,” he said softly, kissing her. “Just you.”
Tiffany smiled happily.
***
She couldn’t sleep as late as she wanted; there was a game at noon. Instead, she got up and took a long bath to soothe her sore parts and warm up her muscles. Lying back in her tub, she couldn’t help smiling. She hadn’t come home until close to two in the morning, but her parents thought she was with Aralyn, and it was a weekend, so her parents wouldn’t mind.
She ran the loofah over her long leg as she replayed the night. Tony wanted to be with her. Her. Tiffany Duke, the quiet cousin. She thought back to last night and what had transpired between them. He was so tender and gentle, so careful with her.
And she had lost her virginity before Aralyn. That made her giggle. Aralyn and Cam hadn’t had sex yet; she knew her cousin was debating the decision. But last night…it had just felt so right. The overwhelming urge to be with him, to be intimate and make love, had been so overwhelming. She had needed him, to be with him.
She wanted to call her cousin and dish, give her all the details but she couldn’t. Aralyn thought Tiffany’s mystery boyfriend was married, and if she thought Tiffany had had sex with a married man, she’d blow her top and Tiffany would be in hot water with her family.
There was no one to tell, she realized. If she couldn’t tell Aralyn, she couldn’t tell anyone.
But that was okay. She had Tony now. If they could just keep things quiet for the rest of the school year, through graduation, then everything would be fine. Her parents would freak initially most likely, but once she graduated, there was nothing to stop them from being together.
He was so smart, she thought dreamily. So sensitive and worldly. Tiffany had always considered herself cultured, she had been all over Europe, Canada and Mexico, but Tony seemed to have a true grasp on the world. His soulful eyes, and gentle demeanor made him so sophisticated, and he was so well read. And not just literature, but in philosophy and human interest.
She was lucky to have found him so young, she thought. Aralyn had Cam, and she had Tony. Yes, she thought to herself as she rose from the cooling water. Tony was the one for her.
***
Aralyn was helping coach from the guidelines, in her tracksuit, arm in its sling for another week. She was amazed by the turn around in her cousin from their practice sessions this week. Tiffany was much more focused, grinning the entire time they were on the field. The Pumas were leading, 3-0.
“What’s up with you?” the older cousin demanded at halftime as they gulped energy drinks.
“I feel good,” Tiffany replied.
Aralyn studied her. “This has something to do with him, doesn’t it?” she whispered.
Tiffany shrugged. She couldn’t tell her cousin. She just couldn’t.
“Tiffany, are you involved with him?” Aralyn demanded.
“Of course not,” Tiffany lied as she re-laced her cleat.
Aralyn’s heart sunk.
“Don’t do this, Tiffany, you’re not a homewrecker!”
“I know that. And I’m not doing anything!” she said crossly.
“Tiff, please be careful,” Aralyn grabbed her cousin’s arm. “He’s married and he’s going to break your heart! You know it never ends well for the other woman!”
“I can handle myself,” Tiffany snapped. “And my good mood doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with him.”
She pulled away from her cousin and went to talk to Tonnie.
Aralyn bit her lip. This wasn’t good. Married men were off limits, no ifs, ands or butts about it. What the Hell was Tiffany thinking? What man could be so important to be willing to break up his marriage?
Tim would be home for Christmas, she thought suddenly. Maybe he could talk some sense into their cousin.
***
Aralyn grabbed her cousin by the arm. She had cornered her cousin after the game, away from the others.“Tiffany, don’t do this!” she hissed. “Please. It never ends well for the other woman, you know that!”
“I’m an adult now, Aralyn,” Tiffany’s voice was ice. “You’re just jealous that I have an older man.”
Aralyn’s jaw dropped. “You think I’m jealous that you’re having an affair with a married, older, man, and you’re going to get your heart ripped out? Tiffany, what is going on with you? You’re smarter than this!”
“It has nothing to do with being smart,” Tiffany snapped. “I’m in love with him, and I have been.”
Aralyn’s eyes almost popped from her head. “Tiffany, how long has this been going on? How long have you had this crush?”
“It’s more than a crush, Aralyn. Maybe someday you’ll be able to understand that.”
Aralyn pulled back as if her cousin had slapped her across the face. “That was uncalled for, Tiffany.”
“Well, it seems that’s what it takes to make you understand that this is none of your business.”
The Duke temper flared. “It is my business, Tiffany. You’re my best friend, and my cousin and we’ve always been like sisters.”
“That doesn’t mean we have to share every single thing,” Tiffany crossed her arms under her beasts and glared at Aralyn. “Did it ever occur to you that I might be lonely sometimes? You’re off with Cam and I have no one?”
Aralyn looked confused. “Tiff, I’ve always made time for you. And if I didn’t, I expected you would tell me!”
“It’s not just the time, Aralyn. You and I have been a team all of all our lives. Now you’ve got someone and I didn’t. It’s hard to watch that, knowing you have someone to hold you when you have a bad day, and I don’t. You have a different sort of relationship with Cam, and well, that’s what I want too,” Tiffany stared at the ground.
“Tiff,” Aralyn grabbed her by the arms. “You are the most important person in my life. You’re my best friend. I’d be completely lost without you. I never, ever meant to make you feel left out. I’ve tried to balance my time with you and Cam, and even Cam has asked about making sure he doesn’t come between us.”
“It’s not Cam,” Tiffany sighed. “You know there are some things we just can’t fulfill for each other and—Cam does for you.” She had almost said his name, she thought, annoyed with her self. “So does mine.”
Aralyn hadn’t noticed the almost-slip and quick recovery. “But Tiff, he’s married. You’ll never be first with him.”
Tiffany hated the lie. Loathed it. But she was in too deep now to untangle her web. Aralyn just couldn’t know the truth.
Tiffany pulled free from her cousin’s grip. “Aralyn, please, back off. Please. Let me have this.”
“I don’t want to see you hurt,” Aralyn whispered.
Tiffany shook her dark head. “I won’t get hurt. He cares about me.”
Aralyn looked at her, blue eyes pleading. “Tiff, please. Stop this. It can’t end well.”
“For the last time, Aralyn,” Tiffany’s voice grew cold again, “no. I love him. We’re going to be together. Just you wait and see.”
“Tiffany—”
“This conversation is over, Aralyn. I won’t have it again with you and if you keep pushing, you won’t like what happens.”
Aralyn’s mouth fell open as her cousin walked away.
***
Tiffany knew her cousin was hurt by her attitude, but she couldn’t confide in Aralyn. And she couldn’t, wouldn’t, give up onTony.
She sent him a text and he replied he was grading papers tonight but she could come over for lunch tomorrow, Sunday. She was hoping for some celebratory activity after their winning game, but she settled for a good book in bed.
Tiffany tumbled into bed that night, tired but happy, and dreaming of her lover and the future.
Meet the cast in full & see the family tree!
Author’s Notes
- A huge yee-haa to the fabulous Diana, for editing this!
- Poor Tiffany. Being an eighteen year old girl is really, really difficult.
- Yes, Ronda, there will be a Tim chapter VERY soon, I promise!
- Word Count, 4,901
| 
