Page 30 of Falling for the Quarterback

“Yeah, but it’s a doomed love story,” Journey pipes in sadly. “Lottie shut it down.”

After a few minutes, Grace stands up and moves behind my chair, placing her hands on top of my shoulders. She clears her throat, and says in an even-keeled voice, “Not to fear, QB. I know exactly what you need to do to win her over.”

ChapterEleven

Charlotte

“If you haven’t sent me your paper outlines yet, please do so by Sunday night,” I say, glancing around the room full of students.Mystudents, I think proudly.

A young woman in the front of the classroom raises her hand.

“Yes, Daniella?” I keep my gaze firmly on her and avoid looking at Hendy in the same row a few seats to her right.

“I thought the syllabus said they were due Friday.” She frowns as her fingers click across her keyboard, clearly checking the original due date.

“They were, but you’re in luck because I’ll be away this weekend,” I explain, shoving my laptop into my bag. “So you’ll have extra time to complete the assignment.”

“Sweet,” a male student exclaims loudly from the back of the room. Some other students snicker.

I give him a look that says,Keep it up and it’ll be due today.

“Sorry, Professor. It’s just good news,” he mumbles.

“Alright, then. I’ll see you all next week and will look for your completed work in my inbox Sunday night.”

The students begin to leave as I pack up the rest of my bag and head out the room. Bypassing my office, which I’d already locked up, I head downstairs to the building exit. When I step outside, I have to shield my eyes from the bright sunshine that streams across my face. It solidifies the decision I made earlier today to get away this weekend and go hiking up in the mountains. I need time to get away and clear my head and to figure out what I’m going to do about Joel.

I stop in the middle of the quad and close my eyes for a moment to enjoy the warmth. I didn’t know this kind of thing in England between the clouds and rain of the fall. Suddenly a large shadow blocks the sun’s rays and the warmth is lost.

“Where are you going this weekend, Professor?”

My eyes fly open and squint up at Joel, who stands in front of me with a scowl across his face. Clearly, he’s displeased. “Away…” I offer vaguely, not wanting to start this conversation out in the open, as I stare up at his handsome features.

It’s so difficult not to want to kiss him. I miss the feel of his lips on me. I miss the slide of my fingers over his skin.

I just miss him in the way one misses a lover.

He raises an eyebrow, awaiting a better response.

“Fine,” I acquiesce. “If you must know, I’m going hiking.”

“Alone? Where?” Is that concern in his questions? Or is he looking to invite himself along?

I give him a pointed look. He doesn’t budge, obviously intent on getting this information from me.

I’m suddenly tired of resisting him. It’s the reason I want to get away this weekend—so I can clear my head and my heart of this mess. I really need to discuss it with the dean and let go of the guilt I carry every day that I lie about my relationship with Joel. Taking in a deep breath, I rest my butt against the wood of a table in the quad.

“The Clearview Falls ski resort. My cousin’s home is available, and I want some time alone…in nature.” It’s the truth.

As much as we were able to hang out the other night and keep our hands off each other, it nearly killed me not to touch him. When he picked me up and carried me into my bedroom, I wanted so badly to open my eyes and tell him to stay. But I didn’t for obvious reasons. And now, I’m left in this purgatory of wanting something I can’t have.

Why must he be my student?

The good thing is that we’re already scheduled for midterms next week and after that, there are only six weeks left before the end of the semester. And then I’ll be grading twenty research papers before Christmas break. The task is daunting but fills me with a serene sense of accomplishment. This position is everything I’d ever hoped for, and I love working for this university.

“Hmmm. Well, that changes things,” he mutters, turning around to leave. “I gotta go. Enjoy your weekend.”

“Wait, what?” I ask, confused. “What changes things?”

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