Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
WYL
Walt and I sat on the porch enjoying the afternoon, waiting for Rod.
After the Kerrville incident with Dusty, I became more appreciative of the man I loved.
I discovered a meaning to life I didn’t realize I missed.
My fear of relationships was based on one tragic incident.
An incident with a man who was not worthy of my affection.
For years, I distanced myself. Thank God Rod showed me how amazing a relationship can be.
“Mitzi called today,” Walt said.
“Did she leave a message?”
“No,” Walt shook his head. “I picked up. I hoped talking to her would discourage further contact. Somehow, I doubted it, but it was worth a try.”
“What did she want? Money?”
“Actually, no. Surprised the shit out of me,” Walt said. “She wanted to tell me all about you and Rod, hoping I would flip out.”
“How did she find out about Rod and me?”
Walt shook his head. “I’m betting it’s the Stella gal you mentioned. The one who keeps in contact with Mitzi.”
“I think you’re right. So, what did you tell Mitzi?”
“I told her it was old news, and I supported you both. I think she figured I would throw a fit and kick you out.”
I shook my head. “You’re right about one thing: Stella is the primary source of campus gossip.
Speaking of Rod, here he comes now.” The caliche dust billowed from the ranch road as his truck approached.
My thoughts returned to the time I watched him walk out the door after the unexpected kiss.
I never wanted to see that sight again. Rod pulled up and parked.
I jogged down the sidewalk to greet him.
He killed the engine and opened his door. “Hi, babe.”
I pulled him to me, kissed him, and wrapped my arms around him in a firm hug. “I missed you.”
He chuckled, his arms around my neck. “We were together this morning before class and in class.”
I shoved his truck door closed. “Yeah, but you said you had a rough day, and I couldn't protect and comfort you.” I kept my arm around Rod’s waist as we walked.
I stayed busy on the ranch today, but we had capable ranch hands and a foreman. It was nothing like the drama of a campus full of employees and students. Rod took center stage in my life. If Rod had a bad day, I made it my mission to ease his tension and give him the support he needed.
“Hey, Rod.” Walt gave a small wave from his comfy seat on the porch. “Welcome.”
Rod took the steps and extended his hand. “Thanks.”
Walt stood, knocked his hand to the side, and grabbed Rod in a quick hug. “You’re family to us. Family always hugs.”
Rod wrapped his arms around Walt. “Thanks. This means a lot.”
“Let’s go in and tackle those martinis.” I opened the door.
* * *
“Sit, Rod. Take a load off.” Walt headed to the leather couches. I stepped to the bar.
Rod sat and untied his tie. “Yeah. Lots of drama on campus today. I’ll fill you two in once we have a nerve settler.”
“Wyl said you had some trouble on campus. Everything okay?” Ice clinking in glasses punctuated Walt’s question.
“Yes.” Rod laid his tie across the back of the loveseat. “And what’s going on involves my secretary.”
Walt shook his head. “What a coincidence. Wyl and I talked about her minutes ago. Does Mitzi have anything to do with this situation?”
“Not directly,” Rod sighed. “Though I have no doubt she encourages Stella.”
“What did Stella pull this time? Given the timing, I’m guessing it had something to do with our weekend.” I poured from the martini pitcher. The ice crackled as the liquid flowed over the cubes in the glasses.
“Bingo.” Rod shook his head. “This morning, she hightailed it to the HR office and told Rosemary I spent the autumn break with a student.”
“What the fuck?” I plunked the glass pitcher onto the bar. Stella’s antics irritated me, especially when it meant trouble for my man.
“Your secretary?” Walt asked. “Why would she do that?”
I handed a glass to Rod and one to Walt.
“She thinks I’m turning Wyl gay and is trying to discredit me so she can pursue Wyl.” Rod patted the seat next to him.
I picked up my martini and moved to sit on the loveseat next to Rod. “Rod and I figure Mitzi thinks if I marry Stella, she can ask Stella to fund her trips to Europe, new cars, cushy apartments, and so forth.”
“Shit!” Walt gasped before taking a hefty gulp. “The bitch is trying every angle she thinks of.”
Rod shook his head. “As I said, Mitzi may not be involved in this particular situation. Stella likes to stir the pot. She likes to eavesdrop.” Rod took a sip. “We’re not sure how, but she eavesdropped on Wyl and me making plans for the long weekend.”
Rod's Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank. Not that I paid attention.
“We were in my empty classroom discussing the trip to Kerrville.” Rod took another gulp. “A noise caught our attention, but we thought the water fountain kicked on. I’m guessing it was Stella.”
I laughed. “The way you two are sucking down those drinks, I’m glad we buy Tito’s by the case.” The ice in my glass clinked as I took a sip.
“I remember a full-figured gal sitting in an office near yours,” Walt said. “I assume she is Stella.”
Rod nodded. “You assume right.”
I set my drink on the coffee table. “So, what happened?”
“Dr. Waverly called me to her office this afternoon. The HR Director told her I took a student to my place in Kerrville during autumn break. Based on the information, Dr. Waverly thought I took an 18-year-old boy with me.”
“Really?” I found the assumption incredible. It was hard enough for me to crack his shell. Rod had no intention of doing anything with a teenage student.
Rod took my hand. “I had a lot of trouble with our developing relationship for the same reason, Walt. I kept telling myself to avoid getting close to Wyl because he was a student of mine. I never considered any physical encounter with a younger student.”
Walt hummed. “Your reluctance kinda explains the attitude when I called you to come to the ranch. You were disappointed with Wyl’s lack of contact and struggled with entering a relationship with a student.”
I stared at Walt, open-mouthed. “Since when did you study psychology, little brother?”
“You know better than that, Wyl. Your obvious hurt meant Rod was hurting, too. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure you each were dealing with the same issues from different perspectives.”
I shook my head. “You’re impressing me all over the place, Walt.”
“Yeah, Walt,” Rod said. “I never thought of it that way, but you’re right.
Wyl and I each had issues we were trying to work through.
Thank goodness you intervened and pushed us back together.
” He took another martini sip. “Anyway, when I explained to her that the student I went with was a man in his 40s and the trip was consensual, she was visibly disturbed. Rosemary gave her incomplete and inaccurate information.”
“So, you’re okay?” Walt asked.
“Yes, but she brought up another more disturbing situation.” Rod took another whopping gulp of his Tito’s, emptying the glass.
I sat forward. “What situation?”
“An instructor claimed he saw you and me kissing in the courtyard.”
“What?” I gasped. I grabbed my drink so fast the liquid almost sloshed from the glass. One hefty gulp later, I raised my voice. “That’s a lie!”
“I assured Dr. Waverly that the allegation placed the incident during the two weeks you were off campus. As soon as I learned of the rumor, I talked with fellow division chair Janice Cartwright. I told her that unless the offender retracted the rumor, I would file sexual harassment charges against him. During my conversation with Dr. Waverly this morning, the rumor came up. She called as I drove to the ranch to tell me she had summoned the parties to her office minutes after I left, and the situation was handled. Believe me, several campus employees, including Stella, are now regretting their involvement in this fiasco.”
Anger infected me. My soulmate was falsely accused, and a rumor started. Sure, I was charged, too, but I could walk away. Rod’s livelihood was the campus. His reputation was important. “Who is the son of a bitch? I’m going to make sure he pays for spreading false information.”
“I can’t tell you, Wyl. It’s a college disciplinary matter.”
“But…” I stuttered.
Rod held up his palm. “I’m not trying to protect the individual or keep information from you.
I want the offender dealt with as much as you do.
Dr. Waverly handled the matter. She couldn’t provide details but assured me that my position was safe and that your name was cleared.
Oh…and I had a tough conversation with Stella.
I was ready to fire her, but I’m giving her a chance to make amends.
I warned her: one false move and she’s history. ”
I gritted my teeth. Nobody hurts my man and gets away with it. But I guess if the college handled it, I should accept it. “I don’t want you hurt.”
“Don’t worry. You and Walt helped,” Rod said.
“How?” Walt lifted his empty glass toward me, the cubes clinking as he jiggled.
I took Walt’s glass for a refill. “Yeah, how did we help?”
“I remembered seeing the Sterling name on the list of foundation donors at the college,” Rod said.
“Yes,” Walt said. “I think the list is on the college website.”
“That’s right, Walt. The Administration Building includes a kiosk with names and photos of all foundation donors. Your parents are pictured in the slideshow of donors.”
“I didn’t realize,” I said. “I’m glad their legacy is what people remember.”
“We kept the gift going in their honor, Rod,” Walt added. “So, how did our gift help you?”