Page 43 of Full Service

And when I say everywhere, I mean it. Literally not an hour goes by where they’re not somewhere in my peripheral.

It’s disgusting. They should really keep their handsy public displays of affection to themselves. It’s indecent.

Not that they’re doing anything particularly bad, but the way that jock looks at Everly makes me want to cut out my eyeballs. I really should, so I don’t have to be tempted by Everly anymore.

Or jealous.

Because that’s what I am. I’m fucking jealous. And it’s ridiculous.

I’ve done so well the past week, behaving like the adult I should be. And Everly’s just been lurking around with Hottie McHotButt, with those big muscles, full head of hair and youthful face. Jock-guy doesn’t look tired at all. He looks energetic and happy, like he could have a sex marathon without throwing his back out and his balls falling off.

I force my frowning lips to move into a neutral grimace as I stand before my class.

There. That’s better.

I can be happy. I am the happiest.

Everly is currently hugging the jock at the door to the classroom and my hands tighten on the podium top, the wood creaking under my grip.

They’re whispering to one another, their faces far too close. The torrential rain finally let up a few days ago, but it’s cold out, and a cool gust of wind floats through the open door. I feel it all the way down to where I’m standing. As a shiver moves through me, I watch as a student squeezes past them, trying to get into the room.

Good God. They’re blocking the entrance. This is a fire hazard.

Not to mention an environmental one. All the heat in the room is escaping. We’re contributing to global warming. The polar ice caps are currently melting at a faster rate.

“Mr. Winslow,” I blurt, my voice booming loudly. Students in the front row startle, a pencil flying up into the air, as Everly turns his gaze toward me. Almost as if he didn’t notice I was here. Well, of course he didn’t notice. Not when he has that draped all over him. “Please move your canoodling away from the door.”

“Canoodling,” a student giggles, and I glower at her. She shrivels back into her seat like the raisin she is.

“Yes, canoodling,” I emphasize and then point my gaze back to Everly, who seems unbothered by my little outburst. He almost looks like he’s fighting off a grin. That fucker.

But at least he does what I ask. The door closes behind him, and the jock disappears outside. I swear, I don’t know which class of mine that kid is in.

My eyes watch as Everly saunters down the aisle to the small desk at the front of the room. He looks delicious in his worn jeans and fitted sweater. I do not stare too long, but I do occasionally glance his way. Sue me. He’s irresistible.

But he doesn’t glance over at me. He took my stern words the other day to heart. We’re keeping this professional from now on. No more lusting after my TA. No more ass-licking.

So, this is good. I do not want him looking at me.

Not at all.

I don’t need the temptation. Especially since I’ve been doing so well.

And yet, through the entire lecture, I find my eyes straying toward him, and the grimace on my face turns into a frown. Especially when class ends. After answering students’ questions, he strides out of the room without a backward glance. He doesn’t even look at me when he leaves.

This is fine. This is perfectly reasonable.

I told him that everything needed to stop and it has. That line is firmly in place. Just like it should be.

I won’t be getting fired anytime soon, which is a great thing. The best thing really.

But at the same time, I won’t be seeing Everly’s ass either. Which is absolutely wonderful. His ass does terrible things to my brain. Makes me lose all reason and do inappropriate things.

Maybe jock-man is doing inappropriate things to Everly’s ass now. Maybe Everly has forgotten all about me.

Which is great. I don’t mind that at all.

I grab my satchel and stomp from the room, pulling my coat closed across my chest as the cold air pelts me. The forecast has more rain on the horizon. After the last storm, I’m very much not looking forward to the next one. Students use the rain as a reason to not attend class, and I hate teaching to empty seats.

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