Bay guessed he’d been hurt by someone in the past, which would also explain why he seemed drawn to these incompetent jerks. And another Shepard at that?
If he was going to be with a bad person, he may as well be with Bay, right?
He shouldn’t be thinking things like that, but the ship had sailed, so to speak, and there was nothing left to do but go with the flow.
“It’s no big deal, Professor.” Sila shrugged. “He wasn’t successful, and anyway, I ended things with him.”
“With Lan Avel?” Bay repeated, mentally noting down the name. Coincidentally, Bay taught him as well. He had class with him tomorrow, in fact. That gave him enough time to contact Lan and let him know he wanted to see him in his office bright and early.
Looked like that vial he’d gotten from Berga was going to come in handy sooner rather than later.
“Do you know him, Professor?” Jol asked.
“Don’t ask him that,” Sila said before Bay could reply. “Ignore her, Professor. And don’t worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
“Of course.” Bay forced himself to nod. “But if you ever need help—”
“Thanks,” he cut him off and made his way toward the exit. “I’ll take you up on that offer eventually.”
“Bye, Professor Delmar.” Jol bowed and then took off after him, Riel following suit.
They passed Castle Stin, another professor, on their way out. The man held the door for them and then entered with a smile.
“What can I do for you, Professor?” Bay kept his voice clipped and collected his things. He was done with classes for the day and though he’d considered hanging around to grade papers, now that Castle was here, he was going to have to make a quick getaway.
“I was hoping you’d have time to grab drinks after work,” Castle said brightly. “I know this great place nearby, perfect for unwinding after an arduous week teaching these spoiled monsters—oh, sorry,” he laughed at his own comment, “I forgot that you’re close in age to them.”
Which was why Bay had no interest in whatever Castle kept trying to sell him. Castle wasn’t necessarily old, only in his mid-fifties, but compared to Bay’s twenty-five…
Prior to meeting Sila, it’d mostly been a mild annoyance. Bay would sometimes feel it when Castle tried hitting on him, but more often than not, it did nothing for him at all. The older man may as well be a wall for all the effect he’d had on Bay. After Sila though, it seemed like he was more in tune with his emotional self, feeling things he hadn’t in a long time.
He’d like it if someone took care of Castle the same way Bay planned on dealing with the Shepard who’d taken advantage of Sila.
If only there was a way to make that happen.
“Sorry, I already have plans.” Like planning what excuse he was going to give to Lan for calling him in for a meeting. He couldn’t exactly tell the student he’d merely wanted to serve him poisoned tea.
“You said that last time,” he pouted. Actually pouted. Gross. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
Bay inhaled slowly and straightened his shoulders, ready to use the no-nonsense tone he used on his class, but fortunately his multi-slate chimed then, indicating he was receiving a call. “Excuse me I have to take this.” He answered as quickly as possible. “Hello?”
“You’ve been requested,” his friend Nate cut straight to the chase. “Odds are in your favor tonight, Pandeveer. You in?”
The official races weren’t meant to take place for another two weeks, but he’d been getting called to weekly events more and more frequently. Even though he’d gotten a good enough burst of sensation from his back and forth with Sila during class, one look at Castle had Bay instantly accepting the offer.
“I’m on my way.” He hung up and then grabbed his briefcase, bowing lightly to Castle as he headed for the door. “That was my friend asking if I’ve left yet. Enjoy your drinks, Professor.”
With any luck, the older man would choke on them and spare Bay any further tediousness.
Chapter 4:
“Hey, have you heard from August?” a girl asked her friend as the two of them passed Sila over the bridge that led from the East Quad.
“No,” her friend replied. “He hasn’t been in class all week and when I try and call it goes straight to voicemail.”
“I heard his parents filed a missing person’s report this morning.”
“Seriously?!”
