La Cocina

As you make your way through traffic. You couldn't help but ponder just how big a wrench Krystal was to your relationship with Jenn and the team.

Arriving at La Concina, you saw that you were a good ten minutes early. Opening the door, you could hear mariachi music and the odor of well-cooked food.

You saw a hostess stand, and walking over there was someone crouched down behind it.

"Excuse me," you say, startling the woman.

"I'm so sorry I didn't see you," Janna Torres says, bursting to her feet. Slightly off balance, she grips the stand, stammering, "Sorry, Mr. Clarkson. Are you dining alone, or are you waiting for someone?"

"It's alright, Janna. Maddie is meeting me here," you tell her.

Janna blinks, processing that, then says, "If you want, I can seat you now, or if you want to sit at the bar."

"I'll wait at the bar, thanks," you tell her.

Moving over to the bar, you climb onto one of the stools. Behind the bar is a well-dressed young Hispanic man whose name tag was Carlos. Coming over, you asked the young man for a bottle of Modello. Chatting with the young man, you found out he was Janna's first cousin on her mother's side.

After a few minutes, you hear Maddie say, "Hope I didn't make you wait too long."

Maddie was dressed in a pencil skirt with a purple blouse. Even wearing a 3-inch heel, she was still short enough to have to look up to you.

"You didn't make me wait. It's like my grandfather taught me that if you're meeting up with a lady, never make her wait."

Janna comes over with two menus. Grabbing your beer, she leads you to a quiet table near the far corner.

After a couple minutes, one of Jannas older sisters came over to take your order. Looking at the menu, you order nachos as an appetizer and some steak tacos. Maddie orders some chili rellenos and a margarita.

As the waitress leaves, Maddie leans in close, whispering, "You know I'm not 21 till November."

Smiling, you whisper back, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

While you were waiting for your food, Maddie mentioned how your grandfather said to be early and never make a lady wait. That launched into a nice conversation about how you ended up at 49 years old a brand new teacher.

"Yeah, my sister Bell managed to break through my depression during the pandemic, and I went back to school online," you finish.

Maddie laughs, saying, "And you blundered into being a cheerleading coach."

You shrug. "It could be worse. I could be stuck being a substitute teacher. Instead, I have my own classroom and an unorthodox extracurricular activity I'm responsible for.

Reaching out, Maddie grasped your hand, saying, "Well, I'm glad you were able to be your own person now. And your sister was right; family or no, your grandfather shouldn't have dropped all the responsibility on you; it wasn't fair."

Nodding your head, you say, "I know, but that was over 20 years ago, so..." Wanting to change the subject, you ask, "So how did you wind up a student teacher at your mother's school?"

You and Maddie chat for a while longer. About her growing up.

"So on top of skipping the sixth grade, you graduated high school six months early," you wonder.

"Yeah, we realized I had all the credits needed at Christmas, so I pulled the trigger," Maddie explains.

You notice she gets sad saying that, prompting you to ask, "Something happened, didn't it?"

Maddie closes her eyes, telling you, "I was able to start college that spring instead of the fall."

Pausing, she takes a sip of her margarita. "My parents' marriage had been strained for a while. And dad had been so proud when I graduated early."

She pauses. "Remember when I fell apart after what the superintendent said?"

"I remember."

Maddie sighs, saying, "That's when he lost it, saying I was a failure for not going into law or finance.

You see a tear start to well as Maddie continues, "He blamed Mom for me wanting to teach." Then she filed for divorce two weeks later." She gets really quiet before confessing, "The last thing he told me before moving to Texas was to call him if I ever came to my senses."

You lean forward, saying, "It's alright, Maddie; you did nothing wrong."

Maddie smiles, and then she starts staring at you intently. Then, surprising you, she leaned forward, planting her lips on yours. Stunned, you blurt, "Mad..." Only for her tongue to waltz in, tasting you. The kiss goes on for a little longer before she pulls back after nibbling on your lower lip.

"Huh," is all you say.

Maddie sits back, closing her eyes and licking her lips. Opening her eyes, she gives you a sexy smile. "I definitely see why Jenn and the girls are throwing themselves at you."

You sit up as if someone has just doused you with ice water. You fight down the need to look around for police, whispering, "How?"

"Relax, stud; I haven't seen anything overt. But I'm possibly the only person at the tempest who can see it.

Your mouth continues to open and close like a fish. So much that Maddie giggles, saying, "Do I need to kiss you again?"

Putting up your hand, you say, "No, you don't."

Gently, she explains, "Jason, I was head cheerleader when Jens' brother Jack took us to state and became valedictorian."

"Oh," you blurt.

"I'm quite good friends with Jack and Myra." She cocks her head. "Well, more Jack than Myra, and I'm the one who told Jen about the cubby behind the stairs her freshman year."

"Then you know..."

Nodding, she says, "I know all about their fathers' fucked-up bonus program."

"What now?" you ask.

"Jason, I know how convincing the Marlows can be. Jack had me in the gym nook when he convinced me to graduate early rather than be valedictorian."

Finishing her margarita, Maddie flashes a self-satisfied smirk. "I'm pretty sure you never stood a chance once Jennifer made her play."

You groan, "This is so..."

"Like I said, I know how smooth the Marlows can be, and I bet you enjoyed every moment of it."

Shortly after, the waitress brings your check. Gathering your things, the two of you pay for the meal. Being the gentleman, you escort Maddie to her car.

Arriving at her car, she turns, going up on her tiptoes. Wrapping her arms around you, she kisses you. Falling into the kiss, her mouth opens and your tongue plays with hers. You could taste the sweetness that was Maddie in addition to the Margarita she had drunk.

Breaking the kiss, you both were breathing heavily. Fishing out her keys, she tells you, "Listen, we both know that the second I had an inkling that you were fucking not just one student. But as many as five, I should have gone straight to my mom."

Unlocking the door, she tells you, "As long as you're not using your status as a teacher to force girls into bed with you, I don't care; it's your business."

Grabbing your shirt, she kisses you one last time. "I may be driven, but I've never been described as a good girl." She smiles, saying, "I can be quite a bad girl. And something about you, Jason Clarkson, makes me want to be the filthiest girl for you.

Starting the car, you watch as Maddie pulls out. Heading over to your car, you open the door and get in.

Talking to yourself: "What the fuck, Jason?" Maddie knows, and Krystal is going to live with you... Jesus."