13. Bethany
Chapter 13
Bethany
T oday is my first day back at the university. Classes started last week, and thankfully one of my colleagues stepped in and assigned one of our departmental TAs to get my students started. It was a temporary solution. I was eager to return and get back to teaching.
I enjoy my job. Worked my ass off to earn my PhD. Spent numerous hours doing clinical research to write my dissertation that nearly had me losing my mind. But I did it. I’ll never forget the spring graduation ceremony where I was presented with my doctoral hood, alongside the other graduates. That was almost ten years ago. Sharing that moment with the students and peers meant everything to me. Alicia dragged the boys—who rang that damn cowbell she brought with her—along with our brother Micheal. My sister has always been there for me, never missed the important moments.
Then last spring I was promoted to department head. There was no way I wasn’t returning when the fall semester started. After the accident I’d handed over my summer classes, but I wasn’t about to miss more. It was later than I wanted. But I’m finally back.
I’m looking forward to introducing my students to the exciting world of psychology. My new role gave me all the power over teaching schedules. Most department heads shy away from the introductory course. Distribute those to the other professors in the department. However, they’re my favorites to teach, because I get to open my students’ eyes to the wonderful world of psychology. Entice some of them to consider majoring in it, and others picking it as a minor.
Alicia looks around as she carries my bag for me.
“Things sure have changed since my days as a student.”
With it secured in her hand, I scoot my walker along the campus path, feeling the bumps under the wheels and the warmth of the sun as Alicia follows alongside.
“Kids these days are so spoiled,” she says as we pass a group of students camped out on the lawn with their laptops open. “We never had anything this nice. Do they even have textbooks? Use paper and pen?”
“Do you use paper and pen at your job?” I laugh as she holds the door open to my building. “Does anyone?”
“No.” Laughter fills the air as we walk down the gleaming hallway. “Are you ready to be the big boss lady?”
Pausing at my office door, I read the new nameplate. Dr. Bethany Rogan, Clinical Psychologist the screen lights up as I prepare to call for backup. “Maybe you should drop my class. I’m not so sure?—”
A sharp crack echoes as his fist slams into the table, the impact coinciding with the backdoor of the lecture hall creaking open, revealing a sliver of the bustling hallway. Except since his back is to the door, and he’s yelling, he doesn’t notice. “Fuck that. I plan to disrupt your class and make you as uncomfortable as possible. And if you fail me, you’ll regret it.”
I refuse to let this young man intimidate me, and now that I’m no longer alone, my bravery has returned. “As I was saying, I’m not so sure that’s in either of our best interest. Let me transfer you to another course that fulfills this requirement. You can pick criminal justice or sociology. Which would you prefer?”
“You deaf? I said—” Theo stops speaking when Nolan grabs the back of his neck with a firm grip.
“I believe she asked you a question. Which one?” His voice leaves the young man no room for argument.
Theo wiggles against his grip until Nolan releases him, then backs away. He eyes the brooding man up and down, doing his best to make it look like he’s not shitting his pants. But his body language, the way his shoulders stiffen, and his eyes widen, say otherwise.
“Don’t touch me.”
“Then don’t be a pompous ass. I think you should leave before I decide grabbing the back of your neck isn’t the only thing I’d like to do to you after speaking to Bethany like that.” With a nod, he gestures toward the door. “Unless you think you’re tough enough to speak to me like you just spoke to her.”
Realizing his mistake, Theo abruptly turns and leaves the room without looking back. Once he’s gone, the tension melts from my body, and that’s when my hands start to tremble.
“You okay?” Nolan’s deep voice has my girly bits all aflutter. “I can go after him. Teach him a lesson he’ll never forget.”
Frustrated, I shake my head, letting out a sigh that hitches in my throat. “No need for that. I don’t think he’ll be a problem. He looked like he might have messed himself already. Thank you.”
Nolan smoothly rounds the table, his hands gently lifting me from my chair. He pulls me close, holding me comfortably against his chest. “No need to thank me. I’m just glad I showed up when I did.”
And when I look up to tell him how grateful I am for that, he leans down and kisses the words right out of my mouth.