Chapter 31
Alex
Isabella texts Abby and Giana as I pull into a parking spot. A few minutes later, we meet at the entrance of the festival.
The town hosts Oktoberfest every fall, but I have only ever been to it once before when I was a freshman. Back then, I still had a social life but couldn’t legally drink.
The first time I attended the festival, I felt like I was teleported to medieval times. The rows of food, beer, and game booths were all themed after the medieval period. Women at the booths wore peasant dresses and long, blonde wigs, while the men wore green outfits that made them look like they were about to save Princess Zelda.
That must be the general theme of the festival because the people at the booths are wearing similar outfits to the last time I was here.
It looks like college girls took this opportunity to dress slutty, Gianna included. Her naturally blonde hair fits perfectly with the theme of the festival, but her dress is much tighter on her body than what the other girls are wearing. It’s also very revealing on her chest.
“Sorry we’re late. I was caught up in something. With something,” I say. Caught in Alonzo’s hot body .
“No worries,” Abby says. “We just got here. These are our first drinks.”
She raises a transparent cup that’s already halfway empty, and Gianna shoves her with her elbow. They burst out laughing.
Knowing them, it’s probably their third drink. I kind of envy them. I wish I could let go and not care about consequences, but it’s hard to get into that mindset after having too many responsibilities on my shoulders. If I let loose, who’s going to take care of Mom?
Not that I’m complaining. Mom sacrificed a lot to raise me on her own. After Dad left, she gave up on her own romantic happiness to look after me. She turned down so many suitors to ensure I was her only focus, so I’m happy to return the favor now that she needs me.
Groups of men walk past us. Their eyes inevitably fall on Gianna. She drinks her beer and grins at them. I suppose I could have done the same if Alonzo hadn’t been picky about my outfit. For some reason, he wanted me covered up.
“We should get something to eat first,” I say, looking at Isabella. She nods in agreement. We have met up as a group to drink a few times, and each time I make sure Isabella isn’t drinking on an empty stomach. The two of us have grown closer since the day she helped me prep Mom’s food.
“I had a turkey leg last year, and it was dope,” Abby says. “You guys want to try them?”
“Sure,” Isabella says.
We find the booth serving turkey legs and each order one. The legs are much longer than I expected, but Abby is right. They are delicious.
We munch on the legs while waiting in a different line to order drinks. As we stand there, I notice somebody watching us from a nearby crowd. Crap. It’s Alonzo.
No. He’s not standing in the crowd. He’s moving, walking toward us.
Great .
“Ladies,” Alonzo says, giving a quick glance at the girls before resting his eyes on me.
“Professor Alvarez!” Isabella says, hiding the drink behind her back. She had been the first one to order a beer, and incredibly, the server hadn’t even asked to see her ID.
“Don’t worry,” Alonzo says, his eyes still on me. “I don’t care that you’re drinking. I’m a bit of a rule breaker myself.”
“ Professor, ” Gianna says, inserting herself between Alonzo and me. She tosses her blonde hair behind her ear, flaunting her chest at him. “We were about to get drinks. Would you like to join us?”
“I’m sure he’s busy,” I say.
“Actually, I just came from a very intense workout session. I can use a beer,” he says, looking beyond Gianna’s shoulder at me. So far, he’s the only man who hasn’t drooled over Gianna’s chest.
We get our drinks and sit at a picnic table to finish our food. Gianna squeezes herself in the seat next to Alonzo, between him and Abby. Isabella and I sit opposite to them.
“Do you want a bite, Professor?” she asks, putting her turkey leg up to his face. When I got here, I thought she and Abby were on their third drink, but maybe I underestimated them. I’m sure she’ll cringe in a few days when we tell her what happened tonight.
“I’m good,” Alonzo says, turning away with an annoyed face. He takes a sip of his beer and looks around. “What are the plans for the night, ladies? Going home after this? Meeting up with some boys?”
Is he jealous?
So that’s why he’s here. It’s not that he wants to hang out with me or meet my friends, he’s just jealous I’ll meet with some guy. Is he this jealous with all his college flings?
“No boys,” Gianna is the first to respond. “What about you, Professor? Meeting any girls after this?”
“No,” he says. “No girls for me.”
“How come?” Gianna asks. “I’m sure there are girls here craving a different type of sausage.” Her eyes drop to Alonzo’s lap.
“Gianna!” Abby says. “Why don’t we go get a pitcher for the table?”
Gianna rolls her eyes but follows Abby to a beer booth.
“Sorry about that,” I say. “She gets a little wild when she drinks, but she’s nice when she’s sober.”
“It’s okay,” Alonzo says. I don’t know if he’s trying to make it obvious that he’s into me or what, but he hasn’t broken eye contact with me since we sat at the table.
“I think I need to use the restroom,” Isabella says. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”
“You need help finding the restroom?” I ask her.
“No, that’s fine. I’ll find it.” She glances at Alonzo with a sour face before leaving. She probably thinks he’s ruining our girl’s night out.
“Well, you scared them all away,” I say. I enjoy being around Alonzo, but I have to admit the night took a turn for the worse after he showed up. What college student wants to drink with a professor around?
“I’m just making sure you keep out of trouble,” he says before taking another drink of beer.
I scoff. “Is that true? Or are you making sure I don’t meet up with other guys?” I ask, trying to gauge his reaction.
His eyes darken. “Are you seeing other guys?”
“I’m not,” I say immediately. “Are you seeing other women?”
“I’m not,” he says without hesitation. His eyes tell me he’s being truthful, but we both know that can change as fast as the Texas weather. “And no, I’m not here to make sure you don’t meet other men. I know you won’t.”
“Then why are you here?”
“Like I said, I’m here to make sure you don’t get in trouble like last time. That’s why I came to speak with you, so you know I’m here.”
Like last time .
Is that true? Or is he trying to warn me, like Jacob, that he’s watching me?
On the drive over here, it occurred to me that I could meet guys here. But honestly, I’m not interested in anybody else. Once you taste the forbidden fruit that is Alonzo, it’s hard to get excited about anybody else.
Still, whatever the real reason is for him being here, I do feel a lot safer knowing he’s watching over me.
“Thank you,” I genuinely say. I choose to believe he’s taking care of me.
He nods.
“It looks like Isabella is coming back. I’ll back off and let you have some fun, but I’ll be around if you need me,” he says, standing from the table.
Is he this overprotective because of what happened to Esmeralda?
I thank him again before he leaves. By the time Isabella returns, Alonzo has disappeared into a crowd of drunk college students, completely out of sight. Even though I can’t see him, I feel his eyes on me. He’s taking care of me from afar.
“Is he coming back?” Isabella asks.
“Professor Alvarez? He’s gone.”
She looks around before finally sitting down at the table. “You should be careful with him.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen you two leave the library together multiple times. You know, heading to the staff parking lot,” she says, briefly glancing at me before returning her eyes to her cup of beer. “It’s none of my business, so I haven’t said anything. But somebody like him, well, yeah, you need to watch out. He has a reputation, and you may end up getting hurt.”
I guess there’s no point in denying anything. Isabella has been nothing but a good friend to me this semester, and I know what she’s saying comes from a place of caring. She’s not the type to gossip or cause drama for the sake of it.
“Don’t worry,” I say. “I won’t get hurt. I know exactly what I am to Alonzo. What we have is nothing but a momentary fling.”
Although I wish it was more than that...
“That’s good,” she nods. “This is kind of embarrassing to admit because we have only known each other for a few months, but I really like you, Alex. You’re like the older sister I always wanted but never had. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“And you’re like the little sister I never had.” I smile and point to Abby and Gianna, who approach the table with a large pitcher of beer. “Now, drink some more water before you get more beer!”
Isabella nods and laughs.
“Where’s Professor Hottie?” Gianna asks.
“Professor Hottie had to leave,” I say. “So more beer for us!”
Professor Hottie . If only Gianna knew Alonzo has become, at least for the moment, my handsome protector and orgasm machine. I squeeze my thighs together as I remember our shower earlier this afternoon.
A sudden sinking feeling pools low in my stomach. We’re halfway through the semester. When it’s over, Alonzo will probably move on to his next fling and leave me behind.
I’m going to miss him.
I chug my cup of beer to forget about the inevitable end. After a few drinks and snacks, I’m back to enjoying the night with the girls.
At some point in the night, the girls and I are chilling at the edge of the festival’s property. We hang by the short barred fence that separates the property and the slope that dips into the lazy river that splits San Marquez in half.
My phone buzzes as I look out into the river. The moon’s reflection is scattered across the slow ripples of the moving water. When it buzzes again, I take it out and look at the screen.
It’s Mom.
An icy chill runs down my arm as I answer the phone. It’s late on a Saturday night. Mom never calls this late…