Page 59 of Killing Me Softly

“On leave. As of right now. Ordered. After a bit of commotion that happened in the office today.” She held his gaze. Pointedly.

Fuck.

Pryce was right.

Hewasa liability.

Not just in theory. Not in the abstract sense that he sometimes entertained late at night when the guilt crept in around the edges. But here, now, in a way that hadconsequences. Real ones. Tied to someone who actually mattered.

Kenny.

He didn’t need to ask what kind of commotion. He already knew. His name had probably been passed around like poison on staff room lips. A scandal in the making. The reckless, emotionally unstable student tangled up with the too-involved professor. Maybe they used softer words? Inappropriate. Unprofessional. Concerning. But he could hear the weight behind them. And could feel the noose tightening.

AroundKenny.

As ifhewas the problem. As if Kenny had crossed the line, when all he’d done wascare. Try. Risk something real.

Because of Aaron.

Because of him.

Aaron had been spiralling for years, but he’d managed to keep just enough distance to stop dragging anyone else down with him. But now? Now he’d wrecked the one good thing in his life by doing exactly what people like him always did: became someone else’s problem.

He gripped the strap of his bag as if it might tether him to the floor, to something solid, but it didn’t help. Nothing did.

So Aaron left. Promptly.

Because if he stayed any longer, he’d say something unforgivable. Or fall apart. Or both.

And Kenny had already paid enough for the mistake of giving a shit about him, giving him hope and a place to heal, when all others had written him off as nothing but a fucking liability.

Chapter thirteen

Particles

Despite his conscience telling him he should stay away, Aaron pounded his fist on Kenny’s front door.

When Kenny opened it, he frowned. “Thought you had a key.”

Chest heaving, breaths ragged from sprinting the entire river path from campus, Aaron gasped for air. “Is it true?”

Kenny didn’t have to answer. The plastic box by the door, stuffed with papers and books, said everything and Aaron’s stomach twisted. Kenny stepped aside, silently inviting him in, and Aaron threw his bag in a heap by the shoes.

“Fuck, Kenny!” Aaron raked his hands through his hair, as if he could pull the turmoil out by the roots. “I got you fucking fired!”

Kenny shut the door behind him. “Hey, no. No, you didn’t.” He caught Aaron’s wrists and yanked his hands down. “I’m on compassionate leave.”

“Orderedcompassionate leave?”

Kenny hesitated, shoulders dipping. “I can’t work with my mind on… other things. I have the funeral to prepare for. Ihave… a lot going on. It makes sense to step back from the university for a while.”

Aaron waited for more.Hopedfor more.

“It’s okay.” Kenny cupped the back of Aaron’s neck. “It’s all okay.” He brushed his lips to Aaron’s for a kiss, tender and aching, desperate to reassure. Aaron melted into it. As he always did. And right then, he understood. Kenny did those things on purpose. To keep Aaron together. Hold him steady. Stop the storm he knew raged inside him.

And now he knew why. Because Kenny was inlovewith him.

Kenny pulled back, exhaling deeply as he ran a hand through his hair. “You’re earlier than I expected.”

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