*Thank-you for the reviews on the last chapter. They were greatly appreciated. Thank-you all so much!
"I DON'T WANT TO GO!" yells Sky as I am trying to get her ready for school. I managed to find a school last week for her to attend that offers a great music program and offers instrumental lessons on any instrument that she would like. They also have a great academic program where Sky will have the best education she can receive. "DON'T MAKE ME GO!" she yells again as she is sitting on the couch.
"You're going, Sky, it's not a choice. You're going to school. You might actually like it. You will still get your instrumental lessons and you'll get a great education. It's not that bad. You'll be all right. School isn't as evil as you're making it out to be."
"NO! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME GO!" she yells as she sits in her school uniform of a blue and green plaid jumper with a white polo underneath complete with matching blue knee socks and her hair hanging down. "I DON'T WANT TO GO! YOU CAN TEACH ME."
"Sky," I say, "we're going to be late. Let's go. I don't have time for this. I have stuff I need to get done. I can't fight with you about this all day. You're going to school whether you want to or not. Your lunch is packed and your book bag is ready. Get up!" I am holding her Frozen back pack and her Frozen lunch box in my hand watching her throw a fit on the couch because she doesn't want to go. I am quickly losing my patience with her. "Skylar Thomas-Reigns," I yell, "THAT IS ENOUGH! IT IS TIME TO GO TO SCHOOL! GET UP OFF THAT COUCH OR YOU WILL BE PUNISHED TONIGHT!"
"NO!" she says to me with a look of death. She is stubborn for sure one of my worst traits.
"Skylar," I say, "you can either get up and walk to the car or I can pick you up and carry you to the car. The choice is yours." Sky sits there and looks at me with her arms crossed and her death look on her face. She doesn't budge and I look at the clock it is 5 minutes before she is supposed to be there so I pick her up off the couch. I throw her over my shoulder and carry her out the door while she yells at me to put her down. Her feet are kicking and her arms are hitting me on my back. "IF you think that hurts me you're wrong. I am a wrestler. I've been beaten up with steel chairs before a 7 year old kicking and hitting me isn't hurting me." I put her in the car and strap her in the booster seat after I lay her school things on the floor. She screams the whole time I drive her to school. I don't have to work out today because she is giving me a work out enough.
I pull into the school's parking lot and park the car. I get out and open her door. She's sitting there with her arms crossed. "I'm not going," she says.
"But you are," I say as I unbuckle her seatbelt. I lift her out of the car and place her down next to the car as I grab her school stuff. I shut the door and tell her to come with me but instead she grabs onto the car door. "Skylar, you're making a scene. Let go," I say as I pick her up but she holds tight to the car door. She fights with me. She has definitely inherited my strength because pulling her off that door was work. I finally managed to get her to let go of the door and carry her into the building as she kicks and screams. Kids and teachers are looking at me as I walk through the front door to the office. I don't think I have ever been so embarrassed in my life even when I fell jumping over the top rope at the house show in Ireland. I walk into the office and put her down on the floor. I smile at the secretary. "Hi," I say, "my daughter Skylar starts today."
"Mr. Reigns," says the principal from her doorway. "It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too," I say as I shake her hand. "And this is my daughter Skylar."
"Hi, Skylar," she says, "my name is Mrs. Sharp. It's nice to meet you."
Sky stands and looks at her but won't shake her hand. "Sky, don't be rude," I say.
"Nice to meet you too," she says reluctantly as she shakes her hand.
"So your dad tells me you like to play the piano and sing. Well, we have the best music program in the state of Florida. I think you'll be very impressed."
"We'll see," says Sky rudely as I give her a soft elbow. "I'm sure you do," she says with a scowl.
"Well, are you ready to go to your class room?"
"I guess," says Sky as she looks at me. "Are you coming too?"
"I'll walk with you," I say, "is that all right?"
"There is no problem with that," says Mrs. Sharp. "Follow me." Sky takes my hand and we follow the principal through the hallways. She gives us a tour of the school on our way. She shows us the music room, the art room and the gym. Sky seems a little happy when we look into the music room and she sees all the instruments. She is not impressed by the art room or the gym. She's not even impressed by the library. "And this is the 2nd grade hallway," she says as we enter the hallway. "And here is your class room," she says as we stop outside her door. Sky and I look in the window on the door. The teacher is sitting down on a chair while a group of students are sitting around her focusing on the calendar. The principal knocks on the door before we walk in. "Miss Flores," she says. "I have your new student Skylar here."
The teacher stands up and I can't deny the fact that she's hot. She's absolutely gorgeous. I eye her curly black hair, her naturally tanned skin, her dark brown eyes and her long legs in her black skirt with her white blouse. "Hello, Skylar," she says with a smile. "I am your teacher; Miss Flores. Welcome to our 2nd grade classroom."
"Hi," says Sky as she looks at her and then looks at me. "Everyone calls me Sky."
"Okay, Sky," says the teacher in her soft voice. "Girls and boys this is our new friend Sky. Can you say hello to Sky?"
"HI, SKY!" yells the class of 7 and maybe some 8 year olds. Sky nervously waves back at them but doesn't say anything.
"Sky, you can go put your bookbag and your lunch box over in the coat rack. I have a spot just for you," she says with a smile. Sky looks at me and walks to the back of the classroom slowly. "And you must be her father; Mr. Reigns?"
"Roman," I say with a smile as I shake her hand. She smiles at me. "Please call me, Roman."
"Okay, Roman," she says as her face turns a slight shade of pink. I have that effect on most women. Sky makes her way back to the front. "Sky, why don't you have a seat with all your friends? We're just now having our morning meeting and then we're going to do some math. Do you like math?"
"No," she says as she sits next to a little girl with pigtails in her hair. The girl moves over and Sky looks defeated. "I like music."
"Well, you started on the perfect day because today is music day!" I know that makes Sky happy as she gives a small smile.
"Am I okay to leave?" I ask.
"I think she's okay," says the teacher. "Will you be picking her up at 3:30?"
"Yes," I say. "Bye, Sky."
"Bye, Roman," she says to me with sadness in her voice. The principal and I leave the room and she walks me to the front door. She tells me Sky will be fine before I leave.
I arrive back home and clean up the mess from this morning before going to the gym to work out. I am planning on going back on the road next week so I need to get myself back into shape. When I finish at the gym I go back to my house. I'm just sitting relaxing when the doorbell rings. I get up and answer it. I see Cynthia standing at the door. "Hello, Roman," she says to me.
"Hi," I say with a smile. "Come in."
"Where is your daughter?" she asks as she enters my house.
"She's at school," I say. "Do you want anything to drink or eat?"
"No," she says with a smile. "So you're home alone?"
"I am," I say with a smile.
"Good," she says as she kisses my lips with passion. I am reluctant to kiss her back but as I relax I kiss her back. I don't feel right about doing this. "Take me upstairs."
I break away from her and say, "Cynthia, I can't. I actually have to go get ready to pick my daughter up from school. I can't do anything right now. I'm sorry."
"What time do you have to pick her up?"
"3:30," I say as I look at the clock seeing it is only 1:30.
"We have time," she says. "Take me upstairs please."
"I'm sorry, Cynthia," I say, "but I can't."
"You don't' want me anymore?"
I look at her and say, "I do but not now. Not today. I'm sorry." Usually I would have taken her upstairs but something is stopping me from going up there with her. "I'm sorry."
"I can't believe this," she says as she grabs the door knob. "Lose my number."
"Okay," I say as I shrug. I slam the door behind her as she leaves and I feel relief. I don't think I'm seeing her again and quite frankly I feel good about that.
At 3:30 I am waiting outside of Sky's school for her to come out. I look around to see that I am the only father there. A few moms come up to me asking for autographs and pictures. I gladly sign them and take pictures with them as I wait for Sky. Sky comes running out the door. She spots me and runs over to me. "ROMAN!" she yells as she wraps her arms around me. "You're here!"
"Did you think I wasn't going to show up?" I ask.
"I didn't know," she says as I open the car door for her. She climbs in and sits in her booster seat before buckling herself in as I make my way to the driver's side seat.
"So how was school?" I ask as I pull out of the parking space.
"It was okay," she says. "I have math and reading homework."
"Okay," I say looking at her in the mirror. "Did you make any friends?"
"No," she says. "I told you kids don't like me including Jaida. She wouldn't talk to me."
"I'll talk to Trinity about that."
"Don't, Roman," she says. "It is okay but I had fun in music class. The music teacher was really impressed with my musical knowledge. She said that she will give me cello lessons but you have to sign a paper."
"All right," I say. "If you want to play the cello I will let you."
"Thank-you," she says. "And Roman, my lunch was too big. I don't need two sandwiches or all that food." I guess I did go overboard on her lunch. I didn't want her to go hungry.
"Okay," I say with a smile. "So are you going back tomorrow?"
"Yes," she says, "and my teacher is so much fun. I like her a lot."
"That's good," I say. "And Sky, I'm sure you're going to make some friends tomorrow."
"I don't know," she says.
When I pull into the driveway I am surprised to see Rachel's car in the driveway and Rachel standing outside of her car. I smile and wave at her as I drive passed her. She looks amazing in her work clothes; a grey skirt that falls above her knees, a black silk shirt and her hair pulled up into a bun. We get out of the car and she says, "Hi."
"Hey," I say with a smile. "I didn't know you were coming over today."
"I wanted to see how Sky's first day of school went today," she says as Sky runs up to her.
"RACHEL!" she says as she hugs her.
Rachel smiles and hugs her back. "How was school?" she asks as we walk to the front door.
"It was okay. I did math, reading, science and music! It was so much fun! I love school!"
"Did you make any new friends?" she asks as we walk into the front door.
"No," she says, "but I'm not worried about it and my teacher is really nice. I love her."
"That's good," says Rachel with a smile. "And how was your day, Roman?"
"Good," I say. "Cynthia came by today."
"Oh," says Rachel, "what did she want?" I can hear a little jealousy in her voice.
"What do you think she wanted?" I ask as Sky gets her homework out of her book bag.
"I don't like Cynthia!" yells Sky as she makes her way to the kitchen table to do homework.
"I know," I say as Rachel looks at me. "What?"
"And did you give her what she wanted?"
"What do you think?" I ask.
"Yes because you just sleep with everyone that you can so I believe that you did give her what she wanted. Did you at least use protection?"
"Actually no I didn't give her what she wanted," I say, "and if I would have of course I would have used protection with her. You're the only one I don't use protection for."
"I should be," she says. "You know you can trust me those other girls you can't."
"Okay," I say. "So why are you so upset about Cynthia being here?"
"Because I don't like her," she says. "And I don't think she's good for you or Sky."
"Oh," I say, "so you know what's good for both of us now?"
"Yes and it isn't Cynthia. She's a gold digger and she just wants your money."
"And that's why I told her I wasn't interested today. So just relax, Rachel. I'm not sure why you're getting so upset over this."
"Because I don't' want to see you get hurt," she says, "and I don't' want to see Sky get hurt."
"Neither of us are getting hurt," I say. "Cynthia is gone. You don't' have to worry about her anymore."
"Good," she says. "That type of trash shouldn't be around Sky anyway."
"I know," I say. "I get it."
"All right," she says but she still has some type of bitterness in her voice. I have never seen Rachel like this before. I have no idea what's wrong with her. Before she could have cared less who I was sleeping with and what I was doing but now she seemed to have a huge problem with it. I don't understand why she has changed so much.
"What is the matter with you? Before you didn't care if I slept with Cynthia or slept with a ring rat or whatever. You didn't care now all of a sudden you care?"
"I do care, Roman, because I care about you. I care about Sky."
"I know you care but why are you getting so upset?"
"Because I don't want to see you get hurt again that's why," she says. "You don't deserve to be hurt again."
"I can only get hurt if I have feelings for those women which I don't."
"I see," she says, "but what about me? Do you have feelings for me?" I have no idea where that question came from. I thought Rachel and I were just having fun nothing serious. "Or am I just another one of those girls?"
"Rachel," I say as I run my hands through my hair. "You know I don't have feelings for anyone. I can't allow myself to have feelings that's how I get hurt."
"So you think I'm going to hurt you? Do you think I would hurt you?"
"No," I say. "Do you have feelings for me?" I ask.
"I thought it was obvious."
"What happened, Rachel? I thought we were just having fun nothing more."
"I fell in love with you," she says, "that's what happened. You're so scared of being hurt you're forgetting how amazing you are. It's fine. You don't have to have feelings for me but I can't keep being your go to girl when you want to have sex. I can't do it anymore. It's tearing me apart so maybe it's best that we stop seeing each other like that until you decide you want something more because I can't keep doing it."
"What are you saying?" I ask.
"NO more sex with me is what I'm saying. I can't do it anymore, Roman. I can't keep doing it knowing that there will never be anything more for us. I can't do it."
"You know how I feel about relationships and commitment. I can't do it."
"And I can't have sex and do the friends with benefits anymore especially now that I have feelings for you. Being just friends is too hard. I'm sorry, Roman. I'll keep Sky for you while you're away on the road but other than that nothing. I can't do it anymore, Roman. I can't," she says.
"Rachel," I say but I really don't know what to say.
"Roman," she says, "unless you can tell me that you're giving me more don't say anything at all."
"I can't," I say.
"I know," she says. "Call me when you leave and I'll be over to pick up Sky. Tell her I said bye."
"Okay," I say, "but you're more than welcome to stay for dinner."
"No," she says. "I have to leave."
"Okay," I say. "I'll call you."
"Bye, Roman," she says.
"Bye," I say as I watch her walk out the door. I feel the strangest pain in my heart as I watch her walk to her car. I watch her drive away before I shut the door. I don't know how that whole thing went wrong. I have no idea at all.
I walk into the kitchen to check on Sky. "Where's Rachel?"
"She had to leave," I say. "How's your homework coming?"
"Good. Why did she leave? Is she coming back?"
"I don't think so," I say.
"Why?"
"Because we had a small fight."
"Why?" she asks, "because of Cynthia?"
"It's hard to explain," I say. "So do you want to go out to eat tonight?"
"I guess," she says, "I wish Rachel could go. What did you do?"
"I'm a jerk," I say. "That's what I did."
"You're not a jerk," she says, "you're just in love with her."
"I'm not in love with her," I say.
"Yes you are," she says. "The way you look at her, the way you smile when you see her; you're in love with her and she's in love with you. You just don't see it but I do and so does she."
"I don't fall in love with anyone," I say but I feel like I'm telling that to myself more than to Sky.
*A/N: So what did you think? Sky really put up a fight about going to school! You could say she is a bit uncontrollable. Why is it so hard for her to make friends? Why do you think Roman turned Cynthia away? Also Rachel admitted she fell in love with Roman but the question is did Roman fall in love with her? Was Rachel doing the right thing when she cut him off? Do you think Roman is going to change or keep acting the same way? Please review and thank-you for reading.