Chapter Eight
Sadie
I can’t remember ever walking away from a one-night stand with regret. Until now.
And I can’t remember it ever being important that I do. Until now.
The morning after Ethan and I reach our Fight Club agreement, I arrive at the university to a message from Jennifer to come and find her when I get in. We need to talk about my PhD. I’m hoping she’ll agree to be my supervisor. My other option, apart from Ethan, is Martin Collins, and not only is he as creepy as fuck, but it’s universally acknowledged he uses his PhD students to do the research he should be doing himself. And often to ghost write the papers published in his name without giving the students any credit.
When I arrive at Jennifer’s office, Ethan is there at the round meeting table in the corner. So much for avoiding each other for the present. At least his expression gives nothing away, even if mine can’t be trusted. I make a point of choosing a chair that doesn’t face him directly.
“I was thinking about your thesis last night,” Jennifer says, folding her arms on the table in front of her. I swear I hear the music from movies that precedes a disaster. Dah, dah daaaah. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it earlier. Ethan would be the perfect supervisor for you. The Eighteenth Dynasty is his area of speciality, and his work in Amarna could provide you with some invaluable insights,” she finishes, looking pleased with herself.
In the beat of silence that follows, I can hear Ethan’s thoughts, and I’m sure he can hear mine.
Ethan: Ahhhh, fuck.
Me: Noooo!
“Perhaps Sadie—”
“I’m sure Ethan—” We both start to talk at once. Jennifer laughs.
“One at a time.”
Ethan indicates by a tilt of his head that I should go first.
“That’s a super idea, but I’m sure Ethan will have way too much on his plate to supervise me. What with settling in and prepping for the next season at Amarna.” I look pleadingly at Ethan. A look I belatedly realise Jennifer takes as a plea for his agreement to supervise me.
“Not at all. Although Sadie might prefer a familiar face. The relationship with your supervisor is so important. I’m sure she’d be happier with you, Jennifer. Especially since her thesis is about the role of women. You’ll add a more nuanced perspective.”
Nice argument. That might work.
Jennifer is having none of it.
“Nonsense. Ethan will have plenty of time. I’ll be assigning the other two candidates to Martin Collins, so he won’t have to worry about making time for them.” She turns from me to Ethan. “And I’ve only known Sadie for a couple of years. She transferred here from Sydney Uni for her master’s. She’s a very competent student, so she doesn’t need her hand held. I expect her to sail through this PhD under your supervision.”
There’s another beat of silence during which Ethan and I mind meld again. There’s no way we’re getting out of this. Arguing any more will look suss. We need to regroup. Hopefully, we’ll be able to come up with something plausible.
Jennifer looks over our shoulders.
“Oh, Martin, how fortunate. Come on in.” She waves a hand and Martin Collins, who was walking past the office, joins us. The temperature in the room drops by a good five degrees, although Ethan’s face remains impassive.
“I was just discussing the appointment of supervisors for the new PhD students. Ethan is going to take on Sadie, and I’d like you to supervise Riley Hall and Garret Brown.”
The temperature drops another couple of degrees.
“I see. So, when I suggested I should supervise Sadie, you insisted you would do it yourself. Now, all of a sudden, you’re handing her to Ethan on a silver platter?” Martin’s tone is arctic. There’s not even a flicker of surprise on Ethan’s face. Word on the street is they crossed swords—and I don’t mean in the sexy way—when Ethan was studying here, and Martin was an assistant professor. There’s been what can only be described as antipathy ever since.
One of Jennifer’s eyebrows pulls up in the middle, creating the perfect arch.
“Are you questioning my decision, Martin?”
“You have to admit it’s rather convenient that the new hire is taking the best PhD student and I’m getting the leftovers.”
Oof. Harsh. And probably wasn’t meant for my ears. I try to make myself invisible.
“By all means, Martin. You should supervise Sadie,” Ethan says, with what appears to be mild disinterest. “Her thesis is focussed on the Eighteenth Dynasty. You know, in the New Kingdom? I’ll get you a chronology if you need to place it in context. I think I have a colour-coded version that will help.” One side of Ethan’s mouth pulls up in a smirk. Interesting how one muscle movement can express so much disdain.
Jennifer suppresses a smile.
“Yes, I’m well aware when the Eighteenth Dynasty was, thank you, Professor Carter,” Martin snaps. Although I’m not entirely sure he is. He seems to mostly teach classes in Late Period and beyond.
“This is about the efficient running of the department. As Ethan so eloquently clarified, Sadie’s thesis aligns best with his area of expertise. Do you have a problem with that?” Jennifer’s tone makes it clear she expects no objections.
“Of course not, Professor Stone,” Martin replies. In contrast to hers, his tone says hell yes, I have a problem with that. “I’m late for a lecture. I’ll circle back this afternoon to discuss this further.” He turns on his heel, giving Ethan a death stare, and without even acknowledging me, stomps from the room. Perhaps he didn’t notice me. Because I was as still as a statue the whole time he was in the room.
As soon as he’s gone, Ethan stands with a snort. “He’ll ‘circle back’. Sucks to be you, Jen.” And he’s out the door, too.
It’s unusual for the professors to go at it like that—as frosty and controlled as it was—in front of a student. Although maybe the walls come down once you’re doing your PhD. Either way, Jennifer looks thoroughly pissed off.
“That’s all for now, Sadie,” she says with a deep sigh. “Although I’d appreciate you keeping anything said in this office to yourself. See Ethan to set up a time that works for you both to go over your plans.”
“Of course. No problem.” Except it is. It’s a big problem. And the plans we’ll be going over are plans to extract ourselves from this disaster.
I’m at my desk for less than thirty seconds when Riley pops up out of nowhere. She’s like a ninja.
“I saw you in Jennifer’s office with Ethan. What was that about? Were you talking about supervisors? She still hasn’t told me who I’ll be working under.” Am I being oversensitive, or did she give the word under a definite tone?
“I don’t think anything is decided yet,” I prevaricate. Because technically, if we can come up with something plausible, there’s a chance we might still change Jennifer’s mind. Or maybe Martin Collins will. Not to mention I was asked to keep quiet about what went on in the office, although I’m pretty sure that was more about the argument than the issue of supervisors.
Riley sighs like a little girl drooling over a princess doll. “I really want Ethan as my supervisor. He’s so hot.”
“He’s a professor. You can’t hit on him. And if you have him as your supervisor, he’s even more off-limits.” I pull my laptop out of my satchel and plug it in.
“Pfft. That’s such nineties thinking. Oh, that’s right. Dad told me hooking up with a professor is exactly what your mum did in the nineties.” She simpers with almost enough sugar to disguise the poison in her words. Riley’s family are huge benefactors to the university. There’s a whole wing in the Department of Medicine named after them. I hear her dad even plays golf with the vice-chancellor. Nice to know they’ve been talking about me and my little family melodrama.
“Anyway, things are different now. Standards have changed. It’s not like he’s married. I’ll bet he’s really lonely and could do with someone to keep him company.”
The thought of Riley keeping Ethan ‘company’ makes me want to puncture her breast implants. Which is wrong. Obviously. Not least because we just got through agreeing there would be no repeat performance. I have no claim. But I’ll be buggered if I’m going to let Riley get her acrylic infills into him. I also can’t let her know she’s got under my skin.
“Hmm. I suspect Jennifer won’t see it that way. And it won't be Ethan who gets into trouble. They can't afford to lose him. But if you want to risk your academic career, knock yourself out.” I shrug, busying myself with checking emails so I don’t have to look at her. I might not be a great actor, but Riley isn’t all that perceptive, so hopefully, I’ll get away with it.
Sadly, she’s not letting this go.
“Like I’d get into trouble. I’ll just get Dad to donate some more money. Problem solved.” She throws her hands out in explanation. How nice it must be to feel untouchable.
Which confirms what I suspected about how Riley continues to pass her courses.
“Good plan. I’m sure your dad would be thrilled to put his hand in his pocket so you can hook up with your professor.”
There are puffs of smoke coming out of Riley’s ears, so she’s thinking about what I’ve said. Looks like she’s more than a little scared of her father, despite the bravado. After a couple of seconds her face lights up. “What Jennifer doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” she sing-songs, and tossing her hair, saunters off, bored by my lack of intel.
I can’t believe the universe has cornered me into working with Ethan. Bella is going to laugh her head off. Like she did last night when I told her we’d agreed to Fight Club rules and planned to avoid one another for a while.
We’re both going to have to act like responsible, mature adults and ignore the lingering energy between us, that’s all. How hard can it be?