Page 33 of Revere
“So there was someone?”
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “It fell through.”
A shiver runs down my spine. While Alex was encouraged to live his life, enroll in college, and enjoy the perks of Sigma House for as long as he wanted before settling down, they had a different vision for me. Mom wanted me wed at eighteen. At least then I’d have worth. Then I would no longer be her problem.
Except the only way to marry at eighteen is for arrangements to start much sooner.
Muchyounger.
If it weren’t for my brother sacrificing everything for me, they might have gotten that wish.
Guilt sweeps through me for resenting him when Mom has always been right. I’m my brother’s downfall.
“You really do come from a wild upbringing.” Violet’s lips purse. “I can’t imagine.”
“That’s for the best.”
She has a mom who checks in because she cares. Who talks to her about how she’s doing and not just what events she’ll attend or how she can help advance her family.
Her mom couldn’t be more different from mine.
Violet glances up, and I see Kole has stopped in the parking lot to talk to Professor Gray. Maybe they’re catching up on the lecture Kole attended in Bristal, although I doubt Professor Gray would remember one student. It’s a strange sight, especially when Kole says something and they both chuckle.
I’ve never seen Kole the slightest bit amused, but it’s impossible to focus on that when Professor Gray’s smile makes my whole chest tight.
Watching him, I can’t decide what’s worse, an arranged marriage or this feeling creeping around inside me.
Obligation or love.
I suppose they both have their risks. The question is, what could I really handle?
12
YES, PROFESSOR
JACOB
Sophia tapsher pen on her notebook as she reads. Every strike against the paper grates away at my nerves in my silent office. Small dots of blue ink bloom on the report, but she doesn’t seem to notice or care.
“Here.” She pauses the pen, looking up at me with a smile. “I knew law enforcement quoted it in his interview. It’s right here.”
Sophia shoves the report across the desk, pointing to a quote from an interview.
I read the sentence. “Very good.”
She frowns when I turn to my laptop, like she expected something more from me.
After all, there’s a reason Patience mentioned Sophia when we were in the library. I’m not oblivious to the fact that Sophia parades herself in short skirts just to see if I’ll notice. Like right now, when her long legs are purposely stretched out as she sits to the side of my desk. She wants my attention.
Her dark hair was in a tight bun when she came in here, but as pieces have started to loosen, she twirls them around her finger, tentatively smiling at me. It’s one of the downsides of being younger than the majority of my colleagues. It drawsattention. And attention isn’t something I want, especially from my students.
I wasn’t lying when I told Patience I’ve never fucked a student. Never felt the least bit inclined to cross that line.
They’re too young.
Too immature.
There’s too much of a chance they’ll try to cling to something I can’t offer them.
