Page 4 of Troy Story
After learning about what she’d dealt with, Stuart had been leery of taking on her role. But as the Classics Department’s newest hire, he wasn’t in a position to turn it down.
“Damn. I had no idea he was that bad,” Dusty said.
“Me neither. When I watched some of his earlier lectures online, I caught a few sexist remarks, but nothing too extreme. He came across as more of an old-school ladies’ man. But his former assistant said his behavior was completely inappropriate.”
“If he’s such a liability, then why’s the university letting him go back to Troy? Aren’t they afraid he’ll screw up again?”
“Honestly? I think it’s a huge mistake, but you know how it goes in academia. He’s a tenured professor and an expert on the site. Like you said, he literally wrote the book on it. I’m just hoping he doesn’t mess with the Germans again.”
Dusty put up her fists, as though preparing to do battle. “He’d better not. But no matter what shit he pulls, I’ve got you. Remember our motto, bud? Ride or die.”
He remembered, even if he hadn’t been living up to his end of it. For the past six months, he’d been a terrible friend. Instead of responding to Dusty’s texts right away, he’d let them linger, too ashamed to admit what a shit show his life had become. Ending his relationship with Shelby had been painful enough, but applying for jobs in academia added a whole new level of misery. Each time he learned he’d been passed over for a position, his morale sunk lower.
But all that was behind him. Now that he was on the other side, free of Shelby and gainfully employed, he was determined never to shut out Dusty again.
“Stuart?” Dusty’s voice shocked him out of his reverie. “What about the rest of the team? Do they look solid?”
He glanced at the paperwork Dr. Fiorelli had sent him. Besides a lengthy document outlining the budget and parameters of the dig, he’d received a bibliography of background material, a set of rules, and the university’s code of conduct. He’d been so busy he’d barely scanned through any of it. “God, there’s, like, fifty pages of stuff here.”
“Don’t stress. It’s the same old crap on every dig. The only thing you need to worry about now is the list of students and when they’re arriving.”
He found the list buried at the bottom. “We got a lot of applications but only accepted a few. Since it’s our first year back, we want to see how it goes. A smaller team means less chance for problem children.”
“Speaking of ‘problem children,’ I got another lecture from my mom about my dissertation.” Dusty gave an exaggerated eye roll. “She was haranguing me for taking the summer off to work in Turkey.”
A twinge of guilt tugged at Stuart’s conscience. “You don’t have to come if it’s going to cause trouble. I’d love to have you there, but—”
“No, I want to come. Working at Troy could be just the inspiration I need. Maybe you could help me. In exchange for my fabulous drawing skills, you could motivate me to settle on a thesis topic, then kick my butt into gear.”
“I’m totally down for some butt kicking. Metaphorically speaking, of course.”
If he was being honest, he often wondered whether Dusty really wanted to get her doctorate. Unlike him, she had no interest in teaching. She was happiest when focused on her artwork. Maybe this summer, he could do more than just motivate her. He could have a heart-to-heart with her and help her figure out her future. It made no sense for her to struggle with academia if it wasn’t something she wanted.
She flashed him an adorable smile. “Thanks, Stuart. You’re the best. I can’t wait to see you again.”
Whenever she bestowed one of those smiles on him, he felt a pang of longing. A secret wish he could reveal how he really felt about her. As children, they’d been raised like siblings. But when he turned thirteen, he developed a ridiculous crush on her. Even when they’d dated other people, his feelings for her had always simmered on the back burner.
For years, he’d held out the hope that they’d end up together, despite their different temperaments. While Dusty was constantly in motion, finding it hard to settle anywhere for longer than a few months, he craved stability and commitment. So when he found those qualities in Shelby, he stopped dreaming of a future with Dusty. In hindsight, it had been a terrible lapse in judgment.
But now, after years of Shelby drama, he was single. He could finally tell Dusty he wanted more than friendship. Or could he? If she didn’t feel the same way he did, he’d be putting her in an awkward position. His confession could drive a giant wedge between them. But he didn’t know how much longer he could hold in his feelings.
After chatting with her a little longer, he signed off and resumed packing, pausing at nine for his call with Dr. Fiorelli.
At first, the call went well, as his boss reviewed the logistics of the dig. But as the conversation continued, her cheeriness gave way to a more somber tone.
“It’s vital we get through this season without a hitch,” she said. “It took a lot of finessing to get our excavation permit renewed. If Dr. Hughes makes any trouble, this might be the last time we’re ever allowed at Troy.”
No pressure or anything. “With all due respect, is there a reason he’s being allowed back?”
When she didn’t answer right away, Stuart cursed himself for sounding impertinent. What right did he have to question a professor who’d spent forty years in the field?
Then again, that same professor had been kicked out of Turkey for ten years.
“Have you heard of Mortimer Jones?” Dr. Fiorelli asked. “He’s an alum from way back. Got his degree in business and made a fortune. Thanks to his passion for ancient history, he’s donated generously to our department.”
Slightly baffled over the way she’d changed topics, Stuart tried to recall what he’d learned about one of the university’s most affluent donors. “Doesn’t the school offer an archaeology scholarship named after him?”
“That’s the one. He’s also contributed to quite a few of our other endeavors. Without his funding, we wouldn’t be able to afford a full season at Troy. But he made his donation on the assumption that Dr. Hughes would be leading this year’s dig.”
