“Ronan, good to see you,” Abe said, ushering me into his office. He waved me over to the seat opposite his and I sat down, well prepared with everything I needed to say. Abe, for his part, looked far too happy for a Monday morning this close to the final exams. “Was there something you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Yes,” I said, setting my shoulders back. “I have something that I need to confess to and I’m well aware of the potential disciplinary action that may result from this discussion.”
Abe narrowed his eyes at me, his brows knitted in anticipatory disappointment. “Oh?”
“I’ve been sleeping with one of my students.” Better to just get everything out as smoothly and fast as possible. “She’s in her final year and hasn’t technically studied under me during the year so far, but it’s still unethical. I thought it best that you heard it from me yourself.”
Abe stared at me for a few seconds, unmoving. There wasn’t so much as a noticeable expression on his face. Then he busted out laughing, a sound that actually jolted me.
“Ah, Ronan, was that it? Alright, well, I suppose I ought to let you off with a warning, then. Don’t do that again,” he said.
I was utterly confused. Was this the same man that stalked the halls and passageways looking for anyone he could sell out as long as it made him look better? The same man who’d spent hours whining about Bass's alcohol dependency problem? And now here he was, evidently amused at the newly acquired knowledge that I’d been having sex with one of my students.
“I’m sorry, Abe, but I just… I don’t understand why you’re so blase about this,” I said.
“What, did you expect me to have you drawn and quartered?” he asked. He shook his head. “Ah, Ronan, I’d have thought with you being part of the faculty for as long as you have, that you’d have realized by now just how much more common these sorts of things are than one would think. My God, if every university had to fire each professor who was having an affair with one of their students, every faculty room would be empty.”
I couldn’t quite mask my surprise at that. So this was a commonality clause; if everyone was guilty, no one was.
“Everyone involved was an adult, yes? Then I see no issue with it. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
It was only once I stood outside his office that I could feel my heart thumping in my chest.
For someone who was ordinarily so averse to risk, I’d been making all sorts of rash decisions lately. I didn’t think twice about laying my own career on the line to protect June and even Lucas and Oren. I didn’t quite recognize the impulsive man who was in my shoes right now. But I think I was waiting a long time to meet him.
Lucas texted me that June was on the rooftop observatory, and I went there immediately to share the news. It felt like shedding weighted shackles and finally being able to run free without that existential fear of something crashing into the picture.
When I held her this time, it felt legitimate. It felt more real, more permanent. I filled her in on everything she missed out on and when she discovered my plan to essentially pre-sabotage my own career, she looked horrified.
“Ronan, what were you thinking!” She lightly shoved me, just hard enough for me to register the fear behind her response. Her eyes were wild and red-rimmed. “Are you crazy? After everything you worked so hard for, you were willing to just throw it all away and for what?”
“For you,” I said with a laugh. “All for you, June. I was willing to give it all up. Nothing would’ve mattered anymore if I couldn’t have this.”
She looked like she was about to cry. I pulled her into my arms.
“And now there’s no reason to be scared anymore. I can finally love you out loud,” I said.
She pulled back. “Did you just say you love me?”
“Yes!” I cupped her face in my hands and pressed my forehead against hers. “June I’ve been in love with you for longer than I could admit it. You’re the person who makes me feel brave enough to be reckless and to take the risks. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I love you, June Price.”
She wrapped her arms around me, dragging me into a kiss that left my head reeling. My hands found her waist, trying to bring her body as close to mine as possible. This was what I wanted forever, everyday. This felt like home.
“Isn’t this nice.”
We sprung apart only for Lucas and Oren to burst into laughter. I chuckled in relief. “Don’t you two have anything better to do than to sneak up on people?”
“Better than watching you almost torpedo your career in less than ten minutes? Absolutely not,” Lucas replied. “Besides, didn’t you say you wanted us on a roof one day?”
June slipped her arm around my waist and mine went over her shoulders as she leaned into me affectionately. Like she belonged there and absolutely yes, she did. “You guys will never believe it. Ronan here is now besties with Abe Halliwell.”
Oren’s face contorted into absolute disbelief.
“Is that a joke, I can’t quite tell,” Lucas said, looking from June to me and back again.
“I wouldn’t go that far. But it’s possible that I may have… misjudged him, just a tad,” I relented.
“Now this is a story I want to hear,” Oren said, folding his arms.
