Chapter 17 #2
“Let me try to understand. You went on one no-kiss date with Wyl, which wasn’t a date, and you think he’s interested?
” I sipped my coffee. My mouth still burned, but fuck it.
The brew was tasteless compared to the bitterness I shouldered.
Stella’s statement, Wyl seemed preoccupied, hovered in my mind.
A dim ray of hope peeked over my emotional horizon.
Preoccupied with who? Me? Is that even possible, given how I fled after that kiss?
And how I treated him when he needed me?
I abandoned him when I should have given him reassurance, support, and an understanding ear.
“Who says he’s not interested?” Stella shot back.
“You said someone else occupied his mind,” I pointed out. “Are you in this for the money?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Mitzi is the one focused on Sterling money.”
“I bet she made out like a bandit in the divorce.”
“No, she didn’t. Walt’s attorney drew up a pre-nuptial agreement before she and Walt married. When they divorced, Walt pulled out the prenup, and she walked away with a measly five hundred grand, a drop in the bucket to a Sterling.”
“I met Walt. In fact, he came to my office to introduce himself. Salt of the earth. He probably had a valid reason for divorcing Mitzi and was wise to have his attorney draw up the prenup.”
“Whatever.” Stella waved her hand in an irritating I’m done with this way.
The whole ruse began to make sense. Stella getting Wyl was a vehicle for Mitzi to grab Sterling money.
Mitzi would persuade Stella, Mrs. Wyl Sterling, to take her shopping, pay her rent, and make her car payments.
“What else is Mitzi saying?” The real threat against Wyl made my blood boil.
I wanted to protect him from money-grubbing bitches.
But how could I protect a man who wanted nothing to do with me?
“She says I need to protect Wyl from you. It’s going around on campus that you two have become close friends, and some think you two might be in a gay relationship.”
“Why would Mitzi say Wyl needs protection from me? And who on campus? Some think? Don’t insult me with vague statements, Stella. WHO is saying this, and how many are involved? This sounds like something you had a hand in starting.”
Stella threw a glare at me. “Not me.” The dismissive hand again waved in the air. “The rumor is floating around.”
“No gay relationship exists, Stella. We are friends, period. He’s been off campus for two full weeks.”
“Alfonso Ortega is telling people he spotted you and Wyl kissing in the courtyard.”
“WHAT? The science instructor is spreading rumors? Why would he do that? And there you go with the vague people reference again. Who are these people Alfonso told, and why does he care?”
“He’s a supporting member of one of those conservative organizations. American something-or-other. The kind that protests at gay things.”
“Gay things? What are you talking about?”
“Those parades they have in major cities. The ones where half-naked men with rainbow sashes ride floats and flaunt their bodies trying to recruit innocent boys to be gay.”
“I gave you more credit than that, Stella. Do you believe males can be recruited to be gay?”
“It doesn’t matter what I believe. What matters is you not turning Wyl gay.”
“Who puts this garbage into your head?” I glared at Stella.
“Mitzi, and it’s not garbage. When I find out who the gal is he’s pining after, I’ll take care of her.”
“Wait a minute, you accused me of trying to turn Wyl gay. Now you think there is another woman?”
“Of course. A tall, hunky Marine like Wyl? Falling for a guy like you?”
I fumed. “Stella, don’t forget I’m your boss. Do you want to reconsider or pack up your office because you’re fired for sexual harassment and insubordination?”
“F-f-fired?” Stella stared open-mouthed at me.
“You just accused me of having a sexual relationship with a student when you have no proof. You just hinted that I am not attractive enough to find a partner. And you just dismissed the questions I asked. That’s all I need to terminate your employment.
And don’t even think about asking the college for a reference. ”
“I didn’t mean that,” Stella pleaded with her eyes.
Her not-quite-an-apology rang hollow. “Your expression and your tone are unconvincing. You accused me of participating in gay recruiting. Gay recruiting does not exist. People either are or are not gay. Not only did you accuse me, but you were also participating in a false rumor. A rumor defaming me. This adds to the sexual harassment charge. Which of those parts did you not mean?”
“Um…”
“Whatever Alfonso said he saw is a total lie. He’ll have his own trouble when his boss finds out. I’m disappointed in Alfonso for thinking he is bettering himself through lies and in you for not defending me. You two can start a WBCC Former Employee Club.”
Stella’s almost-remorse disappeared. “Not defending you? You and Wyl used to drink coffee in your office before class, and you used quiet voices so I wouldn’t hear. You two might be having a full-blown affair.”
“How do you know we use quiet voices? Are you spying on us? Do you stand in the hallway and listen to our conversations?” My simmering fury came to a slow boil.
“No, but you two talk, then laugh. How am I supposed to know you’re talking about school?”
I set my coffee mug on the counter, put my fingers to my temples, and rubbed to ease the pounding headache. She made a valid point. We had been quiet, and we had shared tender words. But what we did in private was nobody’s business.
“By what possible stretch of the imagination would you think our conversation was anything else? Are you telling me you have a reason to think otherwise?”
Stella shook her head. “No.”
“I realize conversations about class do not make juicy gossip material, but believe me when I tell you, Wyl and I are not in a gay relationship. I will deal with Alfonso, and if you value your job, you will stop letting Mitzi tell you what to do. And if you don’t have the guts to do that, I’ll have the college file a restraining order against Mitzi.
What Wyl does or does not do is his business, not hers or yours.
” My head pounded as I stifled my anger and frustration.
“Fine!” She flounced out of the break room.
I was ready to storm into her office to tell her to pack up and leave, but hasty emotional reactions are never sound.
I needed to cool off. I entered my office, slammed the door, and sat at my desk.
I grabbed three ibuprofen from the bottle in my desk drawer and washed them down with cold coffee.
First, I needed to deal with this false rumor.
Then, I needed to deal with Stella. And last, I needed to shed my anger, climb off the blame wagon, and talk to Wyl.
But how would I convince him to listen after I abandoned him?