Page 10 of Snowed in with the Professor
Professor Baldwin strolled down the parking lot, unlocked the passenger-side door to a sleek black vehicle, and helped me inside. I was too dumbstruck to say anything, to tell him I shouldn’t leave, that my companion was still inside. But any protest lodged in my throat.
When he was in the driver’s side seat, the motor began, and he was moving away from the club, I finally found my voice.
“Alexis is still in there.”
“She’s fine,” he mumbled out.
“I can’t just leave without telling her.” I could hear the slurred tone in my voice, that one drink really hitting my ass.
“You’re in no position to go back in there. You’re intoxicated and it’s not safe.” The way he spoke to me was akin to him scolding a petulant child. “Text her and tell her you’re fine, and you’ll call her in the morning.”
I didn’t move, didn’t say anything for long seconds. But then I found myself doing just that, going into my pocket for my cell, glancing at the screen, and thinking I probably should have told him to let me go back inside the club.
But the truth was, I didn’t want to. That wasn’t my scene, and I felt really uncomfortable being there, even before I’d been touched on the dance floor.
I typed out the text.
Hey. I ended up leaving. Wasn’t feeling the best. Caught an Uber. I’ll call you in the morning. Be safe, please.
I pushed submit and rested my head back on the seat, seeing the streetlights going past in a whirl. I closed my eyes as a headache started to grow behind them, a faint groan departing me.
I felt my cell vibrating and looked down to see a text from Alexis. I was astonished she’d been able to hear anything, what with the deafening loudness of the club.
Alexis: Why didn’t you tell me? I would have ditched Craig and brought you home.
No, it’s okay. You were having a terrific time. That’s not my scene anyway.
I felt out of place lol
I pushed send and saw the three little dots flash up on the screen, letting me know she was replying.
“Get a hold of her?”
I looked at him. “Yeah.” I swallowed, my throat parched from the alcohol and how hot it had been at the club.
Alexis: I wish you would have gotten me. You’re okay though? Safe? Promise to text me when you get home and call me first thing in the morning.
I smiled.
She really was a terrific friend, yet here I was in the car with our professor, having gotten a bit too tipsy, and lying to her about what was actually going on.
I promise.
I didn’t know what was going on, but what I did know was that I was delighted Professor Baldwin had shown there when he did. I thought of what could’ve happened if he hadn’t been there, and it made my stomach twist into knots.
I looked over at him again. His jaw was set hard, almost excessively so. Stubble covered his face, and his gaze was concentrated on the road. He appeared angry, what with his hands securely wrapped over the driving wheel, his torso rigid, tight.
My body heated despite the situation.
I found myself turning and glancing out the passenger-side window, thinking that I should’ve been wise and asked him what he’d been doing there. But all I did, instead, was close my eyes, wanting nothing more than to go to sleep.
All I wanted was for this night to be over with. Then I could figure out with a clear brain what in the hell was actually going on.
I clenched my hands tightly on the steering wheel and forced myself not to glance at her, to make sure she was okay. She was in my car, with me, away from the motherfuckers at that club.
I should have been relieved, but all I felt was greater strain.
She hadn’t asked any questions. She should have. She should have been demanding I explain her what the hell I was doing, why the hell I was there.
