Read Online Finally My Forever by Brooke St. James - Free Book Online

anyone since I've known you. It's about time you start dating."
    I let out a defeated sigh and shook my head. I thought about all the baggage I was stuck carrying around with me thanks to Zeke.
    "Don’t start with the poor me crap," she said, seeing me looking hopeless.
    "What? Nobody should have to see what I saw."
    "You're absolutely right, Carly. Nobody should have to see that. It sucks. What he did was selfish, and now you're stuck with the repercussions of it. But you know what? Get over it. Everybody has seen some crappy stuff in their life. Imagine cops who have to see that stuff all the time."
    "Yeah, but it's not their boyfriend."
    "Maybe sometimes it is. You think you're the only one who's ever found someone they loved who committed suicide? There's probably a whole support group online for people like you."
    "I'm not trying to be dramatic or complain," I said feeling somewhat ashamed. "It's just fresh in my mind since I had the dream and everything."
    "I'm not saying it doesn't suck. I'm sure it does. I hate it for you that you had to see that, and it's terrible that it sticks with you for so long. I just don't want to see you pass up the opportunity to meet someone new."
    "I'll just start with teaching the class," I said. "If Thomas' ultra hot, untouchable baby brother happens to be there, then great. If not, then that's great too."
    "That's right," she said. "But it won't hurt to put on a little lip-gloss just in case."

 
    Chapter 8
     
     
    I made arrangements with Mrs. Bennett to go to the Happy House the following Wednesday afternoon at 5. She made sure to tell me not to stress about bringing complicated materials. She said they'd enjoy just about anything, even something on an elementary level.
    I asked her if Thomas had ever seen the Mentos and Coke experiment, and she said he hadn't, so that's what I decided to bring. She asked if she could bring anything to help me out and I told her a couple of sawhorses and a long piece of wood might come in handy, but it wasn't necessary. She said she would see what Jesse could dig up in the garage.
    I had a tarp and safety goggles in my classroom, so all I needed to buy was the soda and Mentos. I was excited about doing it. It was a crowd-pleasing experiment, and I had a feeling Thomas would really get a kick out of it.
    It was ten till five when I pulled up that Wednesday afternoon. I barely recognized the house. It was amazing what five years of life could change. The landscaping was filled in with beautiful flowers and there was a nice stone sign in the yard with the name of the place and a picture of Thomas' house design etched into it.
    I had 6 two-liter bottles of soda in my trunk, but I decided to leave them in there until I knew they were ready for me. Jesse Bennett was standing on the porch. I hadn't seen him at first, and he kind of startled me. "Oh, hi Mr. Bennett," I said, holding a hand to my chest.
    He chuckled a little. "Hey Carly, how are you?"
    "I'm good," I said. I reached out to shake his hand and he pulled me in for a hug.
    He looked exactly the same, other than maybe a few extra gray hairs. He had the same smiling eyes that made me feel right at home.
    "Thanks for coming today," he said. "Thomas is fit to be tied in there."
    "Aw, is he excited?"
    Mr. Bennett shook his head and laughed a little. "He's been asking for days if it's Wednesday yet."
    I smiled. "I'm so glad to hear that. I'm excited too."
    He put his hand on my shoulder and looked down at me appraisingly. "So you went and became a science teacher, huh?"
    "Yes sir. I'm in my first year at Roosevelt."
    "We'll have to see if we can get you on at Reagan," he said. "Go Rattlers!"
    I laughed. "I'd love to get on at Reagan. I have a good friend who teaches English there, and next month I'll be moving into a house close by."
    "Oh, you got a house in the neighborhood?" he asked.
    "I'm just renting," I said. "I'll be roommates with the girl I was just talking about, my teacher friend."
    He