“The poor fellow has quite the work to do if he wants to carry on the legacy of his genes,” I said. My students chuckled.
Finishing my lecture, I dismissed class early, struggling to concentrate and desiring a moment of peace and quiet.
The students filed out and I was left alone in my classroom, plopping into the chair behind the wide wooden desk. I didn’t have the energy to go to my office at the moment, so I shuffled papers around, pretending as if I was doing something productive.
Classes had started just a few days ago and I’d thrown myself back into work, trying not to think of a certain violet-eyed beauty who haunted my every thought.
We hadn’t spoken since we parted ways about ten days ago.
Though I had teased her about waiting until she reached outto me…why hadn’tIcalled or sent a letter? What was stopping me?
I didn’t fucking know. Probably because I had a feeling she was going to reject me and I didn’t want to deal with the heartbreak, so I just avoided it altogether.
I’d seen her slowly pull back into herself the moment her mother showed up and I knew how that felt. I often did that around my father. It was why I practically avoided him at all costs. I rarely answered his calls and ventured home even less.
So I knew what was coming. And though I thought perhaps I had gotten through to her on that final horse ride, I still worried she wouldn’t want to continue anything with me. Because I saw how devastated she was with her mother’s disappointment, the look on her face seeking approval.
I sighed, removing my glasses and pinching the bridge of my nose.
“What a fucking mess,” I mumbled.
“What did you do this time?” Coen’s deep voice interrupted my self-pity.
I put my glasses back on and looked up at him meandering toward me. “What makes you think I’ve done something?”
“Because you always mutter to yourself when you’ve screwed up. Which is quite frequent.”
“Thanks for your kind observation, friend.” I gave him a small glare. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”
Lies, lies, lies. I wasn’t fine. I was a pathetic, pining mess.
“Sure.” He stopped in front of my desk. “I was grabbing my mail from the main office and went ahead and got yours too.” He dropped a pile of letters in front of me.
“Thanks.” I began to thumb through them.
“Liam?”
I glanced up. “Yeah?”
“Grab a beer with me. In an hour. At our usual place. Don’t be late.”
“Fine. I’ll see you in a bit.”
He left and I returned my attention to the mail. There was nothing of major importance, mostly advertisements for conferences and the like. Some random journal subscription letters I always ignored. Toward the back of the stack, was an ornate envelope that stuck out among the rest. Thick and silver, it was closed with an intricate wax seal. The invitation to the annual awards gala.
I opened it and began to read.
I knew they were honoring Emberly for her discovery after we’d been lost in the jungle. But the other event I saw on the schedule made me freeze.
In honor of her unprecedented contributions to the field of natural sciences, we will pay special homage to the esteemed Doctor Anya Thornheart. As our guest of honor, she will be the keynote speaker and present this year’s awards.
Fuck.
Cerise’s best friend was being presented with an award from her cruel, narcissistic mother. And Cerise was guaranteed to be in attendance. I doubted she ever missed events like this, despite not wanting to attend.
My heart ached for what this news might be doing to her. No doubt, she’d be professional and supportive, pretending she was fine. But I knew how much this must hurt.
I had to be there. Iwouldbe there.
