Chapter 8
Not jacking off to thoughts of Everly has been painfully hard, but I’ve managed to keep my dick under control. Staying away from him is tougher than it should be though. He seems to be almost flaunting that unnamed athletic guy in front of me. The hot one he was talking to in the library the other day. The one that kept touching him and smiling at him and being far too flirty. I should know his name because he’s probably one of my students, but let’s be real.
I don’t know any of my students’ names. Just a select few who make an impression. Although, hot jock guy has been making a terrible impression. I look for him in my classes, my eyes scanning the crowds like a hawk, but I don’t see him. He must be in the large introduction course and must sit way in the back. Probably sleeps through my lectures, which is why he needs help from Everly.
He doesn’t deserve him.
And neither do you.
And yet despite reminding myself of this, the next few days, I see the two of them everywhere.
And when I say everywhere, I mean it. Literally not an hour goes by where they’re not somewhere in my peripheral.
It’s disgusting. They should really keep their handsy public displays of affection to themselves. It’s indecent.
Not that they’re doing anything particularly bad, but the way that jock looks at Everly makes me want to cut out my eyeballs. I really should, so I don’t have to be tempted by Everly anymore.
Or jealous.
Because that’s what I am. I’m fucking jealous. And it’s ridiculous.
I’ve done so well the past week, behaving like the adult I should be. And Everly’s just been lurking around with Hottie McHotButt, with those big muscles, full head of hair and youthful face. Jock-guy doesn’t look tired at all. He looks energetic and happy, like he could have a sex marathon without throwing his back out and his balls falling off.
I force my frowning lips to move into a neutral grimace as I stand before my class.
There. That’s better.
I can be happy. I am the happiest.
Everly is currently hugging the jock at the door to the classroom and my hands tighten on the podium top, the wood creaking under my grip.
They’re whispering to one another, their faces far too close. The torrential rain finally let up a few days ago, but it’s cold out, and a cool gust of wind floats through the open door. I feel it all the way down to where I’m standing. As a shiver moves through me, I watch as a student squeezes past them, trying to get into the room.
Good God. They’re blocking the entrance. This is a fire hazard.
Not to mention an environmental one. All the heat in the room is escaping. We’re contributing to global warming. The polar ice caps are currently melting at a faster rate.
“Mr. Winslow,” I blurt, my voice booming loudly. Students in the front row startle, a pencil flying up into the air, as Everly turns his gaze toward me. Almost as if he didn’t notice I was here. Well, of course he didn’t notice. Not when he has that draped all over him. “Please move your canoodling away from the door.”
“Canoodling,” a student giggles, and I glower at her. She shrivels back into her seat like the raisin she is.
“Yes, canoodling,” I emphasize and then point my gaze back to Everly, who seems unbothered by my little outburst. He almost looks like he’s fighting off a grin. That fucker.
But at least he does what I ask. The door closes behind him, and the jock disappears outside. I swear, I don’t know which class of mine that kid is in.
My eyes watch as Everly saunters down the aisle to the small desk at the front of the room. He looks delicious in his worn jeans and fitted sweater. I do not stare too long, but I do occasionally glance his way. Sue me. He’s irresistible.
But he doesn’t glance over at me. He took my stern words the other day to heart. We’re keeping this professional from now on. No more lusting after my TA. No more ass-licking.
So, this is good. I do not want him looking at me.
Not at all.
I don’t need the temptation. Especially since I’ve been doing so well.
And yet, through the entire lecture, I find my eyes straying toward him, and the grimace on my face turns into a frown. Especially when class ends. After answering students’ questions, he strides out of the room without a backward glance. He doesn’t even look at me when he leaves.
This is fine. This is perfectly reasonable.
I told him that everything needed to stop and it has. That line is firmly in place. Just like it should be.
I won’t be getting fired anytime soon, which is a great thing. The best thing really.
But at the same time, I won’t be seeing Everly’s ass either. Which is absolutely wonderful. His ass does terrible things to my brain. Makes me lose all reason and do inappropriate things.
Maybe jock-man is doing inappropriate things to Everly’s ass now. Maybe Everly has forgotten all about me.
Which is great. I don’t mind that at all.
I grab my satchel and stomp from the room, pulling my coat closed across my chest as the cold air pelts me. The forecast has more rain on the horizon. After the last storm, I’m very much not looking forward to the next one. Students use the rain as a reason to not attend class, and I hate teaching to empty seats.
My feet suddenly stumble to a stop when I see Everly and the jock in the distance, his hands lifting a scarf off his own neck and wrapping it around Everly’s neck.
That is definitely something a boyfriend would do.
They have to be together.
Everly grins at the jock and then pulls him in for a hug before pulling away and walking in the opposite direction. The jock watches him, his hands in his pockets, his feet rocking him back and forth, his lips pulled between his teeth.
He’s probably eyeing Everly’s behind. I don’t blame him. It’s very…round. The perfect peach and just as sweet.
I move toward him, and as I stride past, I bump against him, making him stumble slightly to the side.
It was an accident. I’d never purposefully do that to a student.
“Oh, shit, watch where you’re going,” the guy says and then clears his throat. “I mean, sorry, Dr. Sinclair.”
I don’t know why he’s apologizing. I’m the one who ran into him in a jealous rage.
No, not a jealous rage. Just an accident.
Totally an accident.
“It’s fine,” I say and then before I can stop myself, I ask, “So, you and my TA, huh?”
The jock grins, not looking shy at all.
“Oh yeah. He’s wild.”
My eyebrows meet in frustration. What does he mean? I need a definite answer so I can put this to rest. Not that my jealousy will subside. Seems to be raging at the moment. And will forever and ever.
“Hm, well, congrats,” I murmur as I pull my satchel further over my shoulder and turn to walk away. I can feel the kid’s eyes on me, probably wondering what my deal is. But it doesn’t matter. I need to find someone my own age.
Lee’s voice comes into my mind. Apparently LoveJoy has been asking about me. He wants my phone number. Perhaps I should give sensual-ribbon-man a chance. Maybe he isn’t all that terrible in real life. Maybe we’ll have a real connection.
God, I need to get a life if I’m actually considering a date with LoveJoy. Even his name sounds like a candy.
But later that day, in a moment of pure desperation, I call Lee and ask for LoveJoy’s number. What could it hurt? Maybe he gives great head. Who knows? Maybe he’s my soulmate. Because it’s most definitely not Everly.
It can’t be.
Lee’s happily wheezing when I hang up on him. Apparently, he found me asking for LoveJoy’s number hysterical. Well, laugh it up, old man. Not everyone can be as lucky as him to have found the love of his life early on.
I’m practically on my way out. I need to get shit moving if I want a chance of finding someone.
I will. One day.
And it most certainly won’t be Everly Winslow.
“Hello, Dr. Sinclair,” Everly says the next day as he comes into my office. It’s the first time he’s been in here since I told him that we need to keep things professional, that whatever this is between us is essentially over. And this is the first time he’s actually spoken to me.
Although, he’s not making eye contact.
Which bothers me more than it should.
Why the hell isn’t he looking at me? Is there something suddenly wrong with my face? I mean, I have been tired and very sexually frustrated, but I can’t look that bad. LoveJoy is into me. Or at least that’s what Lee told me between cackles.
And he gave me his ribbon. Must mean something.
Could be a marriage proposal.
Still haven’t called him though. I haven’t had the stomach for it.
“Hello, Mr. Winslow,” I say and smooth my hand down my tie.
Everly moves to the small desk in the corner of my office and sets his bag down, pulling his phone out and staring at the screen.
He didn’t even bring me coffee. Not that he should. It’s terrible for my blood sugar. But still, it’s very thoughtless on his part.
“How are you?” I ask, and he shrugs, his thumb swiping across the screen. Probably on some dating app. Probably has a long line of people he’s sleeping with now.
My dick perks up at the thought of Everly in bed, completely naked and bouncing on my dick.
Good God. I shouldn’t have gone into Everly-celibacy cold turkey. Not jacking off at all was a mistake. I need some relief, especially when he smells so damn good. Is that cologne or just some kind of soap he uses? His deodorant?
Whatever it is, it’s making me horny.
“I don’t read body language,” I grumble. “Words are preferable.”
His eyes peek up at me and then slash back to his screen. “I’m fine. Been busy with…Garrett. Doing some beach cleanups. You know, saving planet Earth.”
My jaw pops from clenching tightly. Of course he’s been busy with jock-man. Of course not only is he athletic, but he’s apparently Captain Planet as well. That fucker.
“Is Garrett that jock who was all over you the other day?” I ask, even though I mean every day. That man is all up in Everly’s business.
“Yeah.”
Everly shifts in his seat and opens his mouth to say something else but a line of students starts to filter into my office, and we get to work. It’s endless until my office hours are over, and I only have time to glance over at Everly every five minutes. But every time I do, he doesn’t even look my way. I bet he’s forgotten I exist. I would forget I exist too if I had a beefy Garrett all up on me.
Speaking of the big man, he shows up at the end of office hours and strides over to Everly in my office and nuzzles up against him, making my entire body stiffen in anger. Honestly, they really should get a room.
If they start kissing in front of me, I will flip the table over.
But before they can start, Everly pulls away and then grabs his bag.
“You ready to go, babe?” Garrett says, and I find myself frowning when his hand goes down and grabs Everly’s ass. I’m pretty sure my face is going to stick like this if I keep this up.
“Can you keep your hands to yourself?” I grind out when he doesn’t let go of Everly’s butt.
Garrett chuckles and removes his fingers from Everly. “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s just a hot ass.”
It is.
Everly laughs loudly and shoves at Garrett. “Stop it.”
“Come on, babe. I want to touch it,” Garrett whines, and my nostrils flare.
“Take that outside,” I grumble, and Everly glances at me and…was that a wink he just threw my way? I’m going to fire him.
How inconsiderate. Is he mocking me? Showing me what I’m missing? Because I already know what I’m missing.
Him.
I’m missing him.
The two of them disappear from sight, and I sink down in my chair, running a hand over my face. I need to get a grip.
Suddenly, in this moment, a date with LoveJoy sounds like a great plan. He will help me forget all about Everly.