This wasn’tit. We’d still see each other. Here and there. In class and around the building. And whenever Anna was visiting. But if that was true, why did it feel like I’d been shanked between the ribs?
When I got to the door, I turned to watch him, my heart so swollen and bruised that I could barely take a breath. But he busied himself, not saying goodbye. Not even glancing over his shoulder to watch me go.
I’d been dismissed. Tossed aside.
“Madden says hi,” I said softly as I grabbed the door handle.
Ashton stiffened, pausing his movements. Then he nodded, his back still turned. “Tell him I said hello.”
That was it?
He popped in some AirPods and sat back down at the desk.
That was it.
I pulled his office door shut behind me.
The moment I was outside in the cold January air, I took off at a jog, fighting the tears that were determined to fall. I had to get myself together before I got to Brooklyn’s and my apartment. Brooklyn wouldn’t understand my tears. I’d never seen her cry before. Not even the time she and Jonah broke up for a day. She said she didn’t understand the point. Crying never fixed anything.
Where was Anna when I needed her? Living her best life in Blacksburg, that’s where. Probably snuggled up with her hot, famous, college quarterback husband at this very minute.
In a fury, I drove, callingProfessor Dupreeevery bad name I could think of. When I reached the apartment, it took all my willpower not to slam our front door. Brooklyn was in the kitchen, making homemade pizza with Whiskey and Women’snewest song cranked up to full blast. But that rammed the knife even further into my chest because the lead singer of Double Dubs was Ashton’s younger brother Ford. The light from the kitchen ceiling bounced off Brooklyn’s engagement ring, almost blinding me in my left retina. I picked her phone up from the counter and lowered the volume.
“Hey!” She frowned. But then she saw my face. Her hands went to her hips. “Why have you been crying?”
“I haven’t,” I lied.
“Stop trying to be tough for me, Tal. You have. The question is why?”
“Because…” My voice betrayed me with a shake. “Ashton reassigned me to another advisor.”
Brooklyn’s face scrunched. “But this is your last semester. You’re in the middle of writing your thesis.”
Technically, not true. I’d only written a rough outline.
“What was his reason?” She reached into the cheese bag and grabbed a handful of mozzarella.
“He said I was too informal with him.” I swore, calling him a name I’d missed back in the car.
Brooklyn snorted as she carefully layered the cheese over the pizza sauce. “Well, he’s not wrong.”
I threw my hands out. “He’s Anna’s uncle. Of course, I’m casual with him.”
As if I’d summoned Anna by saying her name, Brooklyn’s phone rang. I leaned over and pressed the green check.
“Hey Brook.” Anna’s voice flowed through the speaker. “Please tell me Tally’s with you.”
“Yeah,” Brooklyn said loud enough for the phone to pick her up. “She’s here. You’re on speaker.”
I’d probably missed Anna’s call. My phone was in my backpack by the front door. I folded my arms across my chest. “DidProfessorDupreetell you to check on me?”
“Yes, sweetie.” Anna’s tone dripped with pity.
I frowned so hard it probably left a permanent wrinkle on my forehead. “Well, you tellProfessor Dupreeif he wants to know how I am, he can ask me himself. Like a real man. Not the kind who shirks his duties.”
“Tally,” Anna chided. “I think we all know that if anyone takes his responsibilities seriously, it’s Ashton.”
“Ha! AndProfessor Dupreedoesn’t get to know if I’m okay or not. You do not have my permission to pass anything along.” As an aside, I added, “I hope he chokes on his beard.” It was an impossibility. He kept it trimmed super short. But a girl could dream.
