"I'm married to academia for the semester," he replies smoothly.
More laughter.I want to crawl under the desk.
He finally dismisses class, and the room erupts in motion.I don't wait.After shoving my stuff in my bag, I dart for the back door, heart pounding in my chest.I don't look back.I run down the hallway and out the doors, gasping for air like I've just escaped a burning building.
As soon as I get home, I throw my bag on the floor, grab my phone, and call the one person I know won't judge me.
"Hi sweetheart," my mom answers, her voice light and strong again.A relief after the past few months.
"You will not believe what just happened," I blurt.
"What's going on?Did something happen at school?"
"My professor.One of my professors.It's Gage."
There's a pause, then a gasp."The Gage?The one you've been sneaking around with and refusing to let me meet because I had a health setback?"
"Yes.That Gage."
She laughs, delighted."Oh, honey, that's juicy.I want to meet him even more now.Bring him over this weekend."
"Mom, no.I can't.I need to figure out how to breathe first."
"Come on.I'm feeling better.And this sounds exactly like the kind of distraction I need.Don't deprive your mother."
"You're not going to drop this, are you?"
"Not a chance."
I press the phone closer to my ear and whisper, "What am I going to do, Mom?"
Her tone softens."You're going to take a deep breath, put one foot in front of the other, and figure it out.You always do.And no matter what happens, I'm here."
I groan, say my goodbyes, and hang up, collapsing onto the couch.My phone buzzes again.
A text from Gage fills my screen.I read them and respond in my head but don't respond to him.
Gage:We need to talk.
I bet we do.Only I can't.Not yet.
Gage:Skye, please.I didn't know.
Yeah, neither did I, but that changes nothing.
Gage:Are you okay?
Not really.
Gage:Say something.Anything.
All I could think about was how well this was going.Too good, I knew something would blow it up.
Gage:Whatever you need, I'm here.
Gage:Just don't shut me out.
Then a call.
