Her Trouble (A Contemporary Interracial Romance): UnReal Marriage, #7

By Tasha Hart

Can her son's teacher, teach her to love?

 

Taysha is twenty-seven-years old and loves her son Akeem. He's a genius and she works two jobs to make sure he's got the best education money can buy.

 

But it's not enough.

 

That's where Drew comes in. He's Akeem's teacher and he recognizes his genius right away. He's also instantly attracted to Taysha. Not only is she beautiful but she's such a dedicated mother. He can't help his attraction and he discovers where she works so he can find her there.

 

Probably not the best idea.

 

See, Taysa has an ex. He's Akeem's father and he doesn't want his son to be so educated and book smart. Her ex has been trying to make it as hard as possible for Akeem to go to good schools. Now that Drew is in the picture, her ex is starting to get violent.

 

Will Taysha be able to provide the kind of education her son needs? Will she be able to love Drew despite her ex who keeps getting in the way? And will it even matter when Drew realizes the mess her life is in?

 

Discover what happens in this thrilling contemporary romance!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Summerhouse Publishing
• Release date: Mar 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215666647

Book preview

Chapter One

Taysha

I pull into the parking lot of Science Academy School of the Gifted, put my clunker in park, then sit for a moment to try to calm my nerves. Taking a second to look at the stately building in front of me doesn’t help soothe the tension in my body. With its immaculate green lawns, the private school looks like something out of a movie. I expect students to fly over my head on brooms on their way to class at any moment. Chiding myself for being silly and reminding myself once again that this is for Akeem, I hop out of the car, taking time to lock it carefully.

Entering the academy, I find a student and ask for directions to Dean Reynolds’ office. As I sit waiting for the dean to see me, my mind drifts back to Akeem’s face when he realized he had been given a partial scholarship to the school. My baby is super smart, and I’ll do whatever it takes to help him achieve greatness. Including paying for this school.

The argument with my soon-to-be ex-husband over the rest of the monthly tuition still makes my blood boil. Lamont thinks that Akeem should go to a regular school and play basketball. After all, he did, and he turned out fine. I let out a brief, bitter laugh at the thought that Lamont could, even in his wildest dreams, think he had turned out fine.

My musings are interrupted by the dean’s assistant, who in reality scares me a bit. She’s all buttoned up and strait laced, with her hair in a tight bun at the base of her neck.

She looks over the rims of her wire-framed glasses. The Dean will see you now.

She turns and walks back toward her desk, clearly expecting me to follow.

In the dean’s office, the man who stands behind the massive oak desk in the middle of the huge office is nothing like what I expected. Dean Reynolds looks like someone’s portly grandfather with a smile to match. However, that still doesn’t stop me from worrying I’m not going to be able to afford the rest of the tuition. After shaking hands, I settle into the seat across from the dean. After a get to know you chat, I take a deep breath and get down to the one thing I really need to know.

Dean Reynolds, is there any chance of Akeem getting a full scholarship instead of a partial? A form or perhaps another scholarship I can apply for.

Dean Reynolds steeples his hands under his chin, as if he’s lost in thought for a second, then leans back in his leather chair. Not at the moment, no. If he does well here and shows that he is gifted, perhaps in time.

My heart sinks at his words. Even with my full-time job, there’s no way I can swing the rest of the expensive tuition, even with the partial scholarship. I thank the dean, shake his hand and assure him we are thrilled that Akeem has been offered even a partial scholarship.

After leaving the school, I decide to swing by Sistaz, the club where my friend Char works. I have to do something and though I don’t really like the idea, I know I need a part-time job if I have any hope of meeting my part of the tuition.

As I walk into the club, I notice there aren’t many people in at this time of day, which makes it the perfect time to talk to Char about that job.

Hey girl, why so glum? Char walks over, setting my usual order of a soda in front of me.

If it wasn’t only two in the afternoon, I would opt for something a little stronger. I pick up the soda, toast her and then take a long drink.

You must really be having one heck of a day if you’re considering drinking this early. You barely drink after five. Char raises her eyebrows, then looks around the place to make sure all customers are taken care of, before coming to sit on the stool beside me. Tell me what’s on your mind.

"You know Akeem has been accepted to the Science Academy School of the Gifted."

Of course, he has. That’s one smart boy.

Yeah, I know, but they’re only willing to give him a partial scholarship and the tuition is super expensive.

I can imagine so in a place like that.

I can’t afford it on what I make, not and put food on the table at the same time.

What about Lamont?

I laugh out loud at that thought. I can barely get him to pay child support. Besides, he thinks that Akeem should go to regular school and play basketball.

Yeah, he always was a loser.

You got that right. Anyway, I was wondering if you needed some help here. I only need something part-time.

Char thinks about it for a second, then gets up to go look at a schedule she keeps posted on the back wall. She comes back, refills my soda, then sits down with a serious look on her face. I can give you a job, but it’s going to be at the bottom of the food chain. Around here, you have to work your way to the top. She holds up a hand to stop any protests I might make. I know that you’re highly over-qualified and being a waitress might not seem like a good spot for you, but the tips are great. You can really rack up the bucks if you’re friendly.

I think about it for a second. Lord, I haven’t waitressed since high school. It’s certainly not what I saw myself doing at the ripe old age of twenty-seven.

The choice is yours, sweetie, but that’s what I got. I’ll give you time to think about it.

I watch as Char goes about her business, greeting the customers and making jokes while she makes them feel like they belong. While this isn’t really my idea of a great part time job, I’ll do anything for my baby. When Char slows down for a second, I wave her back over.

I’ll take the job.

Char reaches out her hand for me to shake, unable to keep the huge grin off her face. Welcome to the family.

Chapter Two

Drew

I’m not supposed to have favorites. Teaching is not exactly the same as being a parent, but showing preference in the classroom can be bad for the group dynamic. Favoritism breeds jealousy, resentment, and all the other ills that have a tendency to make life difficult for the kids.

Mr. Tanner? Mr. Tanner, watch this! I go over to see what Akeem is up to. We’re working on buoyancy, and it’s a hands-on lesson. All the other