I sit back and feel the rush of relief settle over me. Once more, as it had over a year ago when I told Natalia I wanted a divorce, the weight lifts. I can breathe easily. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Unsurprisingly, she took the papers as is. I’ll send over everything you need to sign off on.”
“I’m relieved. I appreciate you sticking with this.”
“I know this was massively stressful for you, and I sympathize, but trust me, for me, I’ve handled much worse.”
“I bet you could tell stories.”
“Kendrick, if I shared the things I’ve witnessed, I think there would be far fewer married people in the world.”
I laugh. “Maybe.”
“I’ll talk to you later. Celebrate, man. You deserve a fresh start.”
“Thanks.” It’s not at all surprising that this new thing distracts me further as the morning drifts on.
I hear from all three of my kids. Apparently, Natalia must have gotten the same phone call. I’m just happy that my kids are reaching out on their own. Even if it’s just little things every now and then.
At ten to ten, Byndley is here just as I asked her to be. She sits in the chair across from me, out of the view of my screen, though I always announce her presence when video calls begin. She’s the keeper of my brain, so I need her present.
“It might be regarding CAP,” Byndley says, and I laugh. “You thought so too, huh?”
“I can’t think of anything else.”
At exactly ten, my video call system rings, and half a dozen of the Board of Trustees’ faces fill my screen. I take note of them and find most appear as they usually do. Pleasant. Smiles. Welcoming. Dr. Dan Matthews is always a stick in the mud, so I’m not at all surprised to see that he’s looking grumpy.
“Good morning,” I greet. “Byndley is here as well.”
“Good morning, Dr. Keller. While we always welcome Miss Horship, this might be a private matter, and I’m not sure you’ll appreciate her presence,” Dr. Darian states.
I glance at Byndley, and she’s as confused as I am. For a second, I weigh my options. What the hell could they be?—
Oh. Brevan.
“I’m going to ask Byndley to stay,” I say.
“If your expression is anything to go by, you’ve realized what this call is concerning,” Dr. Darian says.
“Perhaps.”
“Then let’s begin. It’s come to our attention that perhaps you’ve entered into an inappropriate relationship with a student.”
I don’t look at Byndley, but her eyes shoot wide. I can feel the way she’s tensing, ready to fight.
“First, I’m going to say that while you might mean ‘inappropriate’ because of our positions within the university, that’s very harmful terminology that we’ve spent years encouraging the young minds of our university to erase fromtheir vocabulary. No relationship is inappropriate unless it’s between an adult and a minor child,” I say.
Dr. Darian bows her head. “I apologize; you are correct.”
“Second, yes. You’re correct. Before you state your decision, I’m going to say something. Today, my divorce was finalized. My divorce from a woman with whom I share three wonderful children. Kids that I’ve missed out on almost every big milestone, every sad moment, every life lesson, because I was here. I chose to be here and sacrificed my family to build, support, and improve this university. I did so of my own volition, and I take responsibility for the deterioration of my family because of it. But with all due respect, Board, I’m not doing it again. I love Rainbow Dorset, and I have no desire to leave this university yet. I have so many more ideas that I’d like to propose and bring this campus, this community, into the stratosphere. But Iwon’tstay to the detriment of my relationship. Not again.”
I take a chance and look at Byndley. Her hands are folded in her lap, and I’m relieved to see that she’s not looking at me with disdain or disapproval. There’s sympathy. Understanding. Her little nod and small smile tell me that I also continue to have her support.
My attention moves back to the screen. “That’s all I have to say, Dr. Darian. Now, I’ll listen.”
CHAPTER 33
BREVAN
