Chapter 11
Gage
The moment I walked into the classroom and saw her sitting there, everything inside me stilled. Skye. My Skye. Her eyes went wide, like she couldn't breathe, and for a second, I thought I was imagining it. That maybe this was some cruel trick of the universe.
But it wasn't.
It was her.
And the second her eyes met mine, panic shot through me. I tried to hold it together, to act like I hadn't just spent the last two months memorizing every inch of her body, learning every one of her tells, and listening to the way she gasped when I pushed her just right.
She looked as if she wanted to disappear.
And honestly, I wanted to follow her.
Instead, I opened my laptop and pretended everything was fine.
I gave my introduction like I wasn't dying inside.
I talked through the syllabus like my hands weren't trembling.
I called myself Professor Owens when all I wanted to do was pull her aside and explain.
To tell her I had no idea. That I would never have let this happen if I'd known.
But the damage was already done.
The second class ended, she ran. She bolted from the classroom and didn't even look back.
Now I've paced my office enough to wear a groove in the floor. The second she left that room, I knew I was screwed. My stomach is still twisted in knots, and no amount of rationalizing is untangling it.
I've been trying to get a hold of her for hours, but she has shut off her phone or blocked me. I don't know what to do, but I need to talk to someone. Since this could affect the club, I think it’s only fair Carter gets a heads-up.
So, I grab my phone and dial Carter.
"Hey," he answers. "How'd the first day go?"
"You're not going to believe this."
"Try me."
"My new sub?"
"What about her?"
"She's in my damn class. My Corporate Innovation class."
Silence.
"It's Skye, isn't it?" he asks.
I haven't told anyone who my new sub is out of respect for her privacy, because I know she has friends at the club.
"How did you know?" I ask him.
"She's friends with Summer and Gemma, and she just had a freak out at lunch today," Carter says.
“Of course she is. And she isn't answering my calls. I think she blocked me,” I say.
"You're kidding,” he says.
"I wish I was. She looked like she'd seen a ghost. I nearly dropped the syllabus. I didn't know what to do, so I went through the lecture like normal, but she ran out the second class ended. She won't answer my calls, and she won't text back," I say
"Shit," Carter mutters. "Yeah, that's a mess."
"You think? I've spent the entire summer with her, Carter. Weekends at the club, phone calls, messages every day. She's not just a sub I've played with. I like her. Really like her. I was thinking of trying to convince her for more."
"I know," Carter says. "It's obvious."
That gives me pause. My friends haven't said anything about it. They barely talk about my.... relationship with Skye. I'm honestly surprised they haven't hounded me more.
"I was thinking about what it might look like outside the Club. More than just scenes. I haven't felt like this in a long time."
"So, what are you going to do?"
"I can't risk my job. And she shouldn't have to risk her degree. If anyone finds out, we're both screwed."
"True. But if you like her, really like her, there are ways."
"Like what? Transferring her out of my class? That alone could raise flags."
"It's not impossible," Carter says. "You would have to talk to the dean. Keep it aboveboard. It's messy, but it's not the end."
I slump into my chair. "She's not talking to me. I don't even know if she wants to keep seeing me now."
"She's freaked, man. Give her a little time. This morning turned her world upside down. Let her process."
"I've been trying to reach her all afternoon."
"Skye's smart. She'll come around. But you'll need to be honest with her when she does. No games. No hiding."
I nod, even though he can't see me. "I didn't even get to eat lunch today. Spent the entire break in my car, spiraling."
Carter laughs. "I believe it. But seriously, breathe. We'll figure it out. You and Skye, if it's real, it'll survive this."
"I hope you're right."
"I am. I've been in your shoes. Maybe not exactly, but close enough to know. You've got it bad, Gage."
"Yeah. I do."
"She even told Gemma and Summer about what happened," Carter adds. "She admitted everything."
Blowing out a breath, I fight the urge to ask what she said, to know every detail. "So, she's really freaked out."
"Yeah. But she's talking to the people she trusts. That's something," he says.
"She looked like I had shattered her world. And I hate that. I never wanted to be the cause of that look on her face."
"Then fix it. Talk to her when she's ready. Show her she can trust you to navigate this with her."
We hang up, and I stare at my phone. Still no new messages.
I think about her face in that classroom. The shock. The fear. I hate that I was the one who put that look there. Even though I want to fix it, I don't know how.
For the first time in a long time, I feel helpless.
But I'm not giving up.
Not on her.
Not on us.
Even if we don't know what we are yet.
Even if it scares the hell out of both of us.
I'll wait. And when she's ready, I'll be here.
Ready to fight for it.