35. Hayden
Knox and Cáel were sticking close. That, I didn’t mind. The fresh bond had me craving their touch and presence all the more. But I hated that I didn’t know if they were staying nearby because they wanted that or because they were worried about Easton’s stunt.
I could feel Knox’s annoyance with his brother, anger even. But I wasn’t feeling either of those emotions. I knew that Easton wasn’t trying to be an asshole or trying to hurt me. He was in pain. And there was only so much he could take.
The ache in my chest flared, and Cáel let out a growl, pulling me into his side. “I don’t know how to make it better.”
I burrowed into him. “You can’t fix it. But you just being here helps.”
Cáel grunted, unhappy with my answer.
“I’m sorry, Hayden,” Knox began.
“No,” I quickly cut him off. “It’s not your fault, and it’s not Easton’s either.”
“The hell it isn’t,” Knox groused.
“It’s not,” I pressed. “He’s hurting. But I know that you can see he’s trying. He’s doing everything he can to make the best of a situation he never wanted to be in.”
And that killed. Because at the end of the day, Easton would never want me. The best-case scenario was that he’d simply give in, and that made me feel gross.
A throat cleared, and I looked up to find Maddox hovering outside his classroom. Worry lined his brow as he studied me. “How are you doing?”
If Mad was finding time in the school day to check in with me, especially in the broad afternoon light, with tons of students around, I knew that I was receiving the full pity party. I tried not to let annoyance at that grab hold. “I’m okay. Really.”
I was simply ignoring the fact that Easton had disappeared. I hadn’t seen him on campus once today, and I had a feeling he wouldn’t be in our upcoming shared class either. I just hoped he was all right.
Maddox’s mouth pulled down in a frown. “If you need to cut out early, I can?—”
“No. No more missing classes. They honestly help.”
Cáel let out another grunt of disagreement.
“Everything’s going to be fine,” I pushed. But I knew they all heard the lie in my voice.
A bell rang, and I’d never been more grateful.
“I gotta run. Don’t want to be late.” I started down the hallway, Cáel and Knox on my heels.
When I reached the classroom, Knox tugged me to a stop. He framed my face in his hands. “Wait here after class. We’ll meet you as soon as we’re out of our seminar.”
I nodded in agreement. While I knew the enforcers were patrolling the building, I was past taking chances these days. “See you after class.”
Knox kissed me quickly, and Cáel gave me a long hug.
“Slut,” someone said, half-covering it with a fake cough.
I pulled out of Cáel’s hold to see Delaney walking down the hall with Bella. I rolled my eyes. “Need to work on your originality and delivery,” I called.
“I don’t hurt women, but I’d like to make an exception for her,” Cáel growled.
I patted his chest. “Her punishment is that she actually has to live in her miserable life.”
Knox chuckled. “Great point.”
I gave them a little wave and headed into the small amphitheater. I scanned the space, disappointment flaring when I didn’t see Easton anywhere. Still, I took my normal seat, next to the one he’d been frequenting.
The guy who’d nearly had his ass handed to him by East glared at me. “Where’s your bodyguard?”
“I don’t see anyone I need a bodyguard for. From what I remember, Easton put you on your ass with his little pinky.”
“Burn,” one of the guy’s friends called with a laugh.
“Bitch,” the guy spat, cheeks reddening.
I’d been called worse. Instead of replying, I opened my notebook and readied myself for class.
Professor Brent strode in, gaze sweeping the students. It stopped on me and then the empty seat next to me. He smiled as he set his briefcase down. “Let’s begin. We have a lot to cover today.”
He wasn’t wrong. By the time class was over, my hand ached from all the notes I’d taken. I could’ve opted for my laptop, but I found I retained things better if I handwrote them.
I took my time as students filed out of class, knowing it would take some time for Cáel and Knox to make it over from the English building anyway. Slipping my notebook into my backpack, I stood and headed down the steps.
“Hayden,” Professor Brent called.
I fought the groan that wanted to surface. “Yes, Professor?”
“Let’s head to my office. We’re overdue for a meeting.”
“I actually have plans?—”
“They can wait,” he clipped.
I bit the inside of my cheek but nodded. Pulling my phone out of my backpack, I typed out a text to Knox and Cáel.
Me
I have to meet with Professor Brent. Meet me by his office?
“Let’s go,” Brent snapped.
I shoved the phone back into my pocket and followed him out of the classroom. It took us a couple of minutes to follow the maze of hallways to his office. He opened the door and gestured me inside.
“Have a seat.”
I swallowed hard as he motioned to the couch. I took the spot farthest to one side, placing my backpack in between us to create distance.
Brent scowled at my bag as he sat. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. A lot better.” I knotted my fingers together, unsure what the answer should’ve been for a gunshot victim. I probably should’ve researched that.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Brent said, leaning back against the leather couch. “I’ve been worried about you.”
My stomach twisted. “I’m good, really. All caught up on my schoolwork.”
Brent drummed his fingers on the back of the couch. “You know, an advisor’s job isn’t just to care for their advisee’s academic well-being. It’s to care for their emotional well-being, as well.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “That’s good, too.”
He shook his head. “I’m not so sure about that. You’ve been spending time with some unsavory characters, Hayden. I’ve heard the rumors.”
My breaths came quicker. “I don’t think rumors are anything to pay attention to.”
Brent arched a brow. “So, you’re not involved with multiple men?”
My spine snapped straight. “I’m not sure that’s any of your business.”
“I’m your advisor.”
Anger flared somewhere deep. “And what would the university say if they knew you were asking me about my romantic relationships?”
Anger flashed in the professor’s eyes. “I would be perfectly within my rights to be concerned based on what I’ve heard. In fact, maybe I should bring it up to the university. There is a code of conduct for your scholarship. I’m sure this would go against it.”
My blood turned to ice.
A smile stretched across Brent’s face, but there was nothing warm about it. “Now, I’m sure we can come to some other arrangement.”
Bile surged up my throat as Brent shifted to move my backpack.
I jumped to my feet, grabbing the bag and starting for the door.
Brent was faster, though. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
“Out of here and to report you to the dean,” I snapped.
Redness crept up his throat. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Move,” I ground out, shifting my backpack on my shoulder.
Brent’s gaze shifted to my neck, his eyes flaring. “I guess you do like it rough.”
And then he lunged.