My father’s eyes widen. “Nova!” he scolds. I shouldn’t have expected anything less. Even if he agrees with me, he probably wouldn’t admit as much in front of his boss.
“I’m not a child,” I remind him.
There’s a hint of amusement on Dante’s face. “Ashton works for me, same as your father. If you’d like to join the ranks?—”
“I’d sooner die than come work for you,” I spit out and realize my mistake. I bite my bottom lip and take a tentative step back.
Dante doesn’t look the least bit pleased with my outburst. I’ve always been careful not to sass the boss. My father, on the other hand, I have no problem standing up to him.
He laughs under his breath, tilting his head, his eyes boring into mine. “Give it time, they all come crawling to me for help. Remember, you called us, Nova.”
My eye twitches and my mouth is parched. I part my lips, but no sound comes out. What can I say when he’s right? I did reach out to my father.
“Ashton, did you see the mail that you got from the Student Conduct Office?”
He drops his hold on the plastic-wrapped body and curses.
“It’s fine,” Moreno grumbles. “I need to head out to the car.” He stalks around the plastic and toward the front door, opening it and staring outside at the deluge.
Yeah, I wouldn’t want to go out in that mess, either.
“Maybe we wait a few minutes,” Moreno mutters, glancing back at Dante as he shuts the door. “It’s not like he’s going anywhere.”
Ashton heads toward the mail which is piled on the counter and digs through until he finds the letter I was referring to.
Exhaling a heavy sigh, he tears the letter open, and his gaze tightens.
My stomach flops. “Not good news?”
“When does a letter from the Student Conduct Office ever result in good news?” He glances at me. “It’s about Henry.” Ashton shows me the letter and I glance it over, briefly reading the official document.
The letter contains the alleged policy violation and the incident details. Slowly, I glance up at Ashton, my stomach a bundle of knots. “What are you going to do?”
“Attend the formal hearing and dispute the charges.” He runs a hand through his hair, looking a bit flustered. “It mentions that I can provide witnesses and evidence.” Ashton meets my stare, hopeful yet tentative. Almost like he’s afraid to ask.
“I’ll be there.” I reach for Ashton’s hand, giving it a squeeze. He shouldn’t have to worry about his future at the university because of me. With a resigned sigh, I grumble under my breath, “This is my fault.”
He scoffs, not pleased after hearing my remark. “It’s Henry’s fault. I should have gone over his head.”
“You still can. I mean, tomorrow we can take this letter to the dean, explain everything, try to make it all go away.”
Ashton grimaces, slowly pulling his hand away as he studies the letter carefully, as if reading it a second or third time will reveal a hidden secret. “I think it’s too late for that. I’m going to have to deal with it. There’s already a date set for the hearing.”
“And I’ll be there.”
He reaches out, his thumb grazing my cheek as he cups my jaw. “I feel terrible dragging you back into this mess.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine,” Ashton grits between clenched teeth and releases his hold on me. He steps away, the anger seeping off him like waves of steam. “Henry never should have said that your ‘no’ absolutely means ‘yes’. He’s a fucking pig, and in his position of power as a teaching assistant, he shouldn’t have even asked you out!”
I grimace, and Dad clears his throat.
“How much did you hear?” I glance up at him. I didn’t even notice he was eavesdropping, but leave it to my father to get the last word in.
“Enough to know something is going on with my daughter.” Dad glares at me. “Sit.” He nods toward the sofa.
The room feels smaller now that he knows, like the secret is no longer contained.
