Page 58 of Seduced By the Mermen
“Ms. Portsmouth,” Sterling growls, “we need to get you moving.”
Sterling’s growl brings me back to reality. There’s a throbbing circle of onlookers around us, podlets and males, lots and lots of males. I’m sure a lot of them are looking just to satisfy their own curiosity and see the famous Portsmouths, but Sterling is right. It’s not safe.
“We’ll bring her over later,” Castor says.
“Would you like to ride home with us?” Forrest asks.
“We’ll bring her over later,” Castor repeats.
“Understood. Until later, Blair.” Forrest kisses both of Blair’s cheeks.
And before the rest of us can do the same, her nephews have spirited her away. Sterling shoves the crowd away as they go.
“We didn’t discuss inviting her over,” Forrest says once the crowd has cleared.
“No, but it’s bloody brilliant,” Zion says. “We should have.”
“Do you think she’ll really come?” Clark asks. “Her nephews didn’t look too pleased.”
“Oh, I didn’t notice.” And I didn’t because I was too busy watching her. I’m fascinated by her bravery. Being in the school surrounded by mostly males. Just being willing to stay here. In a place so foreign. Would I have done the same if the roles were reversed? I don’t think of myself as a coward. Not at all, but then, I didn’t go into the military like Haakon’s father, or choose a dangerous profession. Though those who think teaching a room full of eleven-year-old, mostly male podlets is without danger haven’t tried it. “I have some things to clean up in my classroom before I can leave.” With Blair and the Portsmouths gone, the auditorium has emptied quickly. I brought my solo this morning, coming alone because of needing to prep for the performance.
“Can I catch a ride with you?” Clark asks.
“It might be a bit.”
“I can work from my tablet.”
“What happened to taking the day off?” Zion raises his eyebrows at Clark.
“I’m taking it off when I get home. I know how to take a day off. Do you?” Clark slaps Zion on the back. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t stay too late.”
“You just don’t want to be there when we tell Rodgers that Delmar invited guests.” Forrest laughs.
“You’ve got me,”Clark says.
I hadn’t thought that part through. True. Rodgers isn’t going to be happy. Not with Forrest... “Don’t go making them pull out the fine china?—”
“Of course we will.” Forrest stands taller.
“I don’t think Blair’s the make-a-big-fuss-over-me kind of female.”
“Well, she needs to be because I plan to.”
“I––”
“Delmar, it’s no use. Plus, Blair won’t know the difference between everyday things and special occasions. Humans do the same thing too. She won’t think it’s odd,” Alexei says.
“Let’s go, Professor. I’m going to explain in the omada about not needing to help the competition. Dating... For being so smart, you can be really dense sometimes.” Zion gives Alexei a little push, and they head out of the auditorium.
“This way,” I say to Clark.
“I know where your classroom is. You haven’t gotten a new one, have you?”
“No, same one.” We make our way through the mostly empty back corridors to my classroom.
Clark sits on one of the small desks. “It’s weird when it’s empty.”
“I kind of like it.”
