Page 2 of Hooking the Captain
Ignoring his question, I uttered the words I’d barely mustered up the courage to say,“I don’t think things are going to work out between us.”
“You’re breaking up with me?” he clipped, low.
“I guess I am.”
“You guess?”
God, it was even harder than I’d thought it would be. “We want different things, Tyler. I told you I wasn’t sure I was ready to announce to the world I was dating a guy?—”
“I’m not asking you to do that.”
He was right; he hadn’t asked me to do that, but I couldn’t shake the memories that had resurfaced from high school when I had been betrayed by my best friend.
“Things were supposed to just be a bit of fun,” I explained. “Then it became more serious than I wanted.”
“Ford—”
The sound of his voice saying my name was almost enough for me to second-guess my decision. “Look, I gotta go. The guys and I are going out tonight before I leave tomorrow.” I hoped going on a ski trip with my family would help distract me for a little while.
“Wait—”
I disconnected the call because I could feel my resolve cracking. The feelings I had for Tyler were strong, but the need to protect myself from further trauma like I had endured in high school was even stronger.
The server approachedour table and asked, “Have you decided on what you’d like for dinner?”
I ordered the steak frites and handed over the menu. After our waiter walked away, I tried to engage in conversation with my parents, but I wasn’t feeling it. My eyes drifted to the front of the restaurant, and my breath hitched when I saw Tyler walk in.
For a split second, my heart fluttered, and I wondered if fate had led him there, but then I saw he wasn’t alone.
He didn’t notice me as they walked through our section. When I got a better look at the other guy, my eyes widened. I knew who he was, but I couldn’t think of any reason why they would be together outside of school.
Throughout my meal, I sneaked glances at my ex. Eventually, he stood and made his way to the men’s room.
“Excuse me,” I said to my parents and pushed back from the table.
My father’s words from earlier about how fast time moved replayed in my head, and I knew the window of opportunity to convince Tyler he should be with me was quickly closing, so I decided to follow him.
When I reached the restroom door, I took a deep breath and then pushed it open. Tyler’s stare met mine through the mirror, and he spun around.
“What are you doing here?” he clipped.
“I’m having dinner with my parents. Was that Professor Foster I saw you with?” I hooked my thumb in the direction of where their table was located.
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
My brow furrowed at his lack of response, but it suddenly all made sense. “Oh my god, that’s who you’ve been seeing, isn’t it?”
“Ford—” He held up his hand, but I cut him off.
“I can’t believe you’re fucking your professor.”
“Anything having to do with me is no longer your business,” he growled before storming out.
Tyler had told me he’d moved on, but seeing it with my own eyes was like a punch in the gut. Any hope I had of us getting back together faded away as I stepped into the hallway and watched him make his way back to Professor Foster.
The Sigma Epsilonhouse was quiet when I walked inside. I climbed the stairs and stopped in front of Tyler’s room. I finally understood why he spent most of his nights away, or at least I assumed the reason why.
He was withhim.
