Page 12 of Loved

“So it’s true what the paper said? You’re in love with her?”

“Yeah. I am.”

“She’s 19, James.”

“Well, the papers weren’t right about that. She’s 20. Her birthday was last week.”

He stared at me like he didn’t think that made much of a difference. And honestly it didn’t. Because I’d been with her longer when she was 19 than since she’d turned 20. And I would have pursued her either way. I couldn’t stayaway from her. I knew how fucked up all of it was, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“Fucking Isabella, man,” Joe said.

I nodded. “Fucking Isabella.” Joe knew all about my past. He’d been a good boss. This had been a great job. And I was really going to miss it.

“Just lie low. Please.”

“I’ll do my best. Who do you have teaching my Comm class?”

Joe glanced down at a piece of paper. “Professor Nolan. I figured it would be better to get someone who you got along with. For Penny’s sake.”

“Thanks for that. Well, if there’s nothing more…I should get going.” I needed to make a call to Professor Nolan.

“Nothing more?” Joe cursed under his breath. “Sure, nothing more for you to do. I’m going to be cleaning up this mess for weeks.”

“Will a donation to the university help smooth things over a bit?” I asked and stood up.

“Yeah, I’m sure a Hunter Hall will be really well received right now.”

“It was just an idea,” I said.

“Well. Hold on a sec. Of course I want that. Just wait a bit, okay?”

“You got it, Joe. Have a good rest of your morning,” I said, holding back a smile.

“Oh, fuck you.” But he laughed too. “Ah, wait, I almost forgot. Sign these real quick.” He handed me a few papers.

“And what are these?”

He waved his hand through the air. “You quit. You don’t get severance. All that stuff. Not that you’re worriedabout severance. I promise I’m not fucking you over like you fucked me over.”

He was right. I didn’t care about a severance package. And I knew he wouldn’t screw me over, even if he was a little pissed at me. I signed the papers.

Joe gave me the finger.

And I waved goodbye and walked out of his office. It felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders. I wasn’t a professor anymore. I smiled. I wasn’t dating a student. I was no longer breaking any rules. But I had a lot of damage control to do.

I immediately called Professor Nolan.

He answered in two rings. “Hey, James. Joe already sent me over all the information. I’m heading over to your class now.”

There was an awkward pause. “Just ask it,” I said.

“Is it true? About you sleeping with students?”

“It’s just Penny.”

He whistled. “Have you seen Joe yet?”

“Yeah. I just resigned.”

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