Shawn laughed. “You are hopeless. He just recently got out of prison, and he needs to sort out his life. He doesn’t need my problems on top of his own. Anyway, I wasn’t asking about money. I meant Professor Rutledge. If I don’t get good grades in his class, I’ll lose the scholarship and will have to drop out.” Though sometimes Shawn wondered if it would be better to drop out: if he didn’t have school to attend, it would improve his chances of finding a half-decent job. Except a college degree would increase his chances of finding a well-paid job and giving Emily and Bee everything they needed as they grew up.
“Actually,” Christian said suddenly. “I’ve heard an interesting rumor about Rutledge.”
“What rumor?”
Christian glanced around, as though to make sure no one could hear them, before leaning in and murmuring into Shawn’s ear, “Tucker says Professor Rutledge has a weakness for pretty boys.”
Shawn blinked. “No way. He was just messing with you!”
“Nope, he was dead serious. Apparently someonesaw Rutledge with a young guy all over him.”
Shawn chuckled, shaking his head. “Even if it’s true, what does it have to do with me?”
Christian gave him a pointed look.
Shawn opened his mouth, closed it, and then opened it again. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Christian wiggled his eyebrows. “Tucker says Rutledge has a thing for blonds.”
“Unlucky for you, then.”
Smiling, Christian ran a hand through his messy brown hair. “Pfft. If I wanted to, it wouldn’t matter. But you’ve got it easy, blondie. Come on, man, it’s a perfect solution!”
Shawn gave him a pinched look. “There’s a tiny problem, though. I’m straight.”
His friend didn’t look fazed; he actually had the nerve to laugh. “So what? I’m not telling you to take it up the ass. Though it can actually feel very, very good if the other guy knows what he’s doing.” Christian grinned, and Shawn snorted. Christian was bisexual and had no problem admitting his love for cock.
“Chris—”
“I’m just saying you can be all flirty and shit without actually doing anything with him, you know? You’ve got the looks. I mean—you’re not my type, but I’m not blind. You’re hot. Easily the hottest guy in school.”
“You aren’t exactly an ugly duckling, either.” Everyone loved Christian. He might not be classically handsome, but practically everyone found him attractive. Christian was hard to look away from.Shawn might be straight, but even he sometimes stopped and stared when his friend smiled.
Christian winked. “Definitely not an ugly duckling, but I ain’t as pretty as you, princess.”
“Oh, I’ll show you, princess!” Shawn got him into a headlock, both of them laughing.
“Mr. Wyatt, Mr. Ashford, if you are quite done?” came a cold voice from behind them.
Shawn froze before letting go of his friend and straightening up. He didn’t dare look at Rutledge as the man moved past them to his desk. The lecture hall suddenly became quiet.
“Fuck,” Christian whispered when Rutledge stopped in front of his desk and remained silent.
Shawn bit his lip hard and stole a glance at the professor. Rutledge’s dark eyes were fixed on Christian, his dark brows furrowed and his lips pursed in displeasure. Even when he wasn’t unhappy with someone, Professor Rutledge’s gaze could make anyone squirm. When he actually was unhappy, no one wanted to be on the receiving end of his heavy stares. Shawn thought he looked like a hawk, ready to swoop down and catch its prey.
Rutledge’s eyes moved from Christian to him. If possible, he looked even more displeased now, a muscle pulsing in his cheek. Shawn’s stomach tightened into a knot. He wet his dry lips and tried to look as respectful as possible, forcing himself to meet the professor’s eyes firmly. He wasn’t a coward, dammit. Rutledge was just a man.
Rutledge’s lips thinned. “Mr. Wyatt,” he said quietly.
Shawn swallowed convulsively. There was something about Rutledge’s voice that made it more menacing the quieter it got. “Yes, Professor?”
“If you and Mr. Ashford are not interested in what I am here to teach, you may leave.”
Looking at the man’s hard expression, Shawn suddenly remembered Christian’s advice and nearly laughed out loud—so ridiculous it was.
“No, sir. I mean, we’re very interested.” When not a single muscle moved on Rutledge’s face, Shawn added, “Actually, I wanted to talk to you after class about my grades.”
Rutledge looked at him for a few moments before offering a cool response, “I don’t have office hours today.” He sat down behind his desk and started his lecture.
