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“I’ll take care of him. Don’t worry, Dr. B.” Sharon slips her hand into the crook of my arm. “I’m looking forward to your class. I can’t wait to get a glimpse inside the criminal mind and understand how it works.”
I pat her hand, and for fun, I turn on a little extra charm. “I warn you, it’s pretty basic stuff. If I had all the answers, there’d be no unsolved cases, and then I’d be out of a job.”
The clap of a tumbler on wood draws our attention. “We’d better get going. Classes start early.” O’Toole starts for the door, and the old man follows slowly.
I see a maintenance worker waiting outside the door and decide he has a point. We’d better wrap it up and let everyone go home.
“Thank you again for the warm welcome.” My tone is only slightly sarcastic. Only one member was less than welcoming.
Sharon follows me into the hall. “Sorry it’s such a small group. Dr. Bowerman, Landon, and Pamela, er, Dr. Chase, are the only full-time faculty besides you. The part-timers typically don’t hang around for these after-hours things.”
“I’m sure they have a lot going on.”
She hands me a card. “Here’s all my contact info if you need anything. Feel free to call… whenever.”
A little wink, and she turns, walking slowly away from me, up the hall. I’m pretty sure she adds an extra ass-shake with each step. Studying her card, I turn back with a grin…
Right into O’Toole.
“The invisible line between faculty and students is real.” His pompous voice annoys me. “Any hint of impropriety is grounds for immediate dismissal. Our good, Christian alumni won’t tolerate it.”
I tuck Sharon’s card in my back pocket, leveling my gaze on this asshole. I might not be as tall as Hutch and Scar, but at six feet, I can hold my own. “Thanks for the tip, Landon. I’ve been taking care of my shit a long time.”
He holds up both hands. “Just trying to help. Workplace politics can be tricky, especially when wealthy donors are involved.”
“I got this.”
He huffs a smile and falls back. “Like I said, just trying to help.”
I watch as he quickly strides away in the direction Sharon went. I follow them out at a slower pace. It’s not what I expected on my first night, but I’m a fast learner, and I don’t put up with bullshit.
A cool breezelightens the air as I walk back to my small cottage. Laughter and music echo from the large fraternity houses lining a long, grassy rectangle, and I slow my pace, taking in the sounds of college life. Thornton is a small campus. The entire place covers about ten blocks, which makes it feel close-knit and welcoming.
I stroll past a group of kids in the quad beside a giant statue of a dog. The distinct aroma of pot drifts through the air, but I’m not here to play narc. Continuing on, I pass couples lying on blankets looking up at the stars. A few guys are throwing a football.
A sharp whistle cuts through the noise, and I glance over to see a group of girls sitting in a circle on the grass watching me. When our eyes catch, they collapse inward, giggling, and I exhale a laugh, shaking my head as I continue walking.
It’s night, but with all the lights and the back to school festivities happening, it’s not dark. I pass the open doors of a frat house and see kids crowded around a keg with red cups. Streamers and balloons dangle from the rafters, and a guy has his arm around a girl, his face buried in her neck.
My stomach tightens, and I remember the feel of soft skin against my cheek, under my lips. It’s been a long time since I was in a relationship, and a phantom heaviness presses on my chest. It would be nice to have the secure satisfaction of someone to go home with, to sleep with, but I made choices that precluded such a thing years ago.
I walked away from it in New York, and I don’t regret my decision. I don’t like being alone, but perhaps things will change.
Turning away, I continue in the direction of my house when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
Taking it out I see a text from Hana on the screen.Hey, big brother. We’re all dying to know how it’s going. Has anyone given you an apple yet?
It’s such a silly question and so Hana. I pause to tap out a quick reply.No apples—did get a giant tin of gourmet popcorn from faculty housing.
Gray dots precede her answer, which makes me smile.Popcorn is the new apple.
Like orange is the new black?
Orange will never replace black.She inserts an eye-roll emoji.We miss you, but I hope you have a blast.
Heart emojis line the end of her sentence, and I add a thumbs up to indicate my approval.
I know my brother is annoyed by my choice to come here. Blake is supportive, while gently trying to woo him around to my side. Scar has a one-track mind these days, and it’s focused on Hana and the baby.
