Page 86 of Dean's Delinquent

ChapterThirty-Four

Ashleigh

One Week Later

Lunch sits like lead in my gut as I watch Dean Anderson eat as if nothing is wrong. And why would he have a problem? He’s not the one sitting on a secret. Not like me.

One week. It’s been one fucking week since I’ve run into Thatcher, and so far, there’s been no indication he’s said anything. There’s been no word from my parents, but most importantly, no word from Dean Anderson. He hasn’t reprimanded me or even mentioned the castle.

Could it be that I’m really in the clear? I mean, after a week, there should have been something. Right? But nothing feels right. Maybe it’s because I’m not used to being actually bad. Bratty, yes. Disobedient? No.

“Earth to Ashleigh.” The dean’s voice washes over me, breaking me out of my musings. When I look up, he gives me a soft smile. “Worried about midterms?”

Midterms. That’s a good excuse. “Not all the teachers are easy to study for.” That’s at least the truth.

“No, they’re not. But I have all my faith in you. You’re a highly intelligent girl. If you want a study partner, though, I might be persuaded to help out after work this evening.”

As he waggles his brows, a bark of laughter erupts from my throat. “Some help you’ll be. We’ve tried this already. For every wrong answer, you’ll smack me with some implement of your choosing. Only, somehow we end up fucking instead of studying.”

The dramatic sigh he heaves undoes that knot in my gut even more until I’m laughing along with him. “I suppose you’re right. Be a good girl and study. When I get back later tonight, I’ll reward you. Does that sound better?”

“It sounds like I might actually have a hope of passing my classes.”

With another deep chuckle, he leans over and kisses me. My heart flips in my chest at the tender gesture, and I wonder if this infatuation will ever end. God, I hope it doesn’t.

As he leaves my dorm, my insides knot up again. I can’t keep this secret. I’ve got to do something. Say something. If I leave this gulf between us, things will never stay good. Deep in my heart, I know that.

It might suck now, but I’m sure he’ll understand. And if he doesn’t, I’m even more sure I can find a way to make it up to him. Punishment is his kink, after all.

As the burden lifts, my appetite comes back little by little. As I finish it off, I go through my books, determined to have one less fault for him to cast at my feet. I’m so consumed with my studies that I don’t realize the phone is buzzing until several texts come through.

Caldwell

Hey. I know what you said, but I don’t think we should end things like this.

I know you have a tendency of changing your mind, so I’d like at least one last chance to convince you.

Please, Ash. We have a history together. We could have an amazing future together. Just please.

Look. I’ll be at the devil’s playground all evening if you change your mind.

Fucking Caldwell. He’s the absolute last thing I need right now. I thought I handled this. How else can I convince him that there is no future between us? The only way I can think of is to reveal my clandestine relationship, but that’s definitely a no-go. I’m still the dean’s dirty little secret, and unless he changes that, I can’t say a word.

A heavy sigh flits from my lips as I close my textbooks. It’s not that I’ll be able to concentrate anyway. Hopefully, by time I get there, I’ll figure something out. At this point, it’s a matter of safety for him. My dean tasked me with a job, and I somehow failed.

I can only hope he’s not trying to fucking propose. Though, if he did, it would be an excellent way to make it absolutely clear that we’re not going to be a thing. Not now. Not ever.

For a moment, I stare at my screen as I debate letting the dean know where I’m going. The only problem is, if I do that, he’ll want to know why. Guilt slams into me as decisions war within my brain. This isn’t like when I didn’t tell him about the castle.

What I’m doing is what he told me to do. I’m not hiding anything. I’m merely protecting everyone involved. Besides, it’s Caldwell. He’s beyond harmless. At the most, he’ll annoy me to death. Mind made up, I head out to my car and travel to a place I haven’t been in more years than I care to think about.

* * *

The old, abandoned fairgrounds loom up in front of me as I put the car in park. So many years and each one is evident by the increased growth of vines and flowers over the decrepit spot. If Mother knew Caldwell and I snuck out here when we were younger, she’d have a conniption.

Now that I’m a bit older, and ostensibly a bit more wiser, I can see just how stupid it was. I’m shocked we didn’t get hurt or tetanus or worse. But it does hold a bit of fun memories, so I can see why Caldwell wanted to come out here.

His car looks out of place amongst the rust and decay, but then, I’m sure mine does as well. The hood is cool, which means he’s been here for a bit. Stupid boy. When did he become so infatuated with me, and how did I not see it?

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