Page 24 of Twilight of Embers
Brent’s gaze was intense on my face. “You’ve already declared pre-med. You’re sure about that major? It’s one of the most challenging at the university.”
“I’m sure. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was eleven.”
He pushed his chair back and stood, rounded his desk so that he was standing next to me, and leaned back against the mahogany. His leg grazed mine as he shifted, but he made no move to break the contact.
I coughed, using the action to lean away and create distance.
Brent’s eyes narrowed. “With such big goals, you’re lucky you landed me as an advisor. I’ve coached many students through their MCAT exams and into prestigious medical schools.”
A wave of nausea swept through me as he moved slightly closer again.
“Thank you, Professor.” I made a show of checking my watch. “I don’t want to be late for bio. I better be going.”
Annoyance flitted over his features. “You have Kavanaugh?”
I nodded.
“I should have you transferred into my section for that,” he muttered. “But I’ll have you for Intro to Psychology, so that’s something.”
The way the professor spoke made my skin crawl, and I hurried to push to my feet, grabbing my backpack.
“Email me to set up our next meeting, Hayden.”
“Of course, Professor.” I didn’t look at him as I bolted for the door.
I wondered if you could switch advisors. But changing would likely piss him off, and since he was going to be teaching another one of my classes, that didn’t seem like the best idea.
I bit the inside of my lip as I hurried down the hall. I rounded the corner and ran smack into a hard wall of muscle. And then I was falling.
13
HAYDEN
A muttered curse echoed in the empty hallway as strong hands caught my flailing arms, keeping me from hitting the floor hard.
I blinked a few times, my heart hammering against my ribs as my vision came into focus. I was met with the image of a beautiful face twisted in disgust.
“Don’t you watch where the hell you’re going?” Easton snapped.
My hands trembled at my sides, the adrenaline from my meeting with Brent still humming through my system. I’d been mostly lucky when it came to foster placements, but that hadn’t meant it was completely creeper free. I had a finely honed radar for sleazes for a reason. And being in such close proximity to Brent had sent the memories surging.
“Sorry,” I muttered, trying to duck around Easton.
His hand flashed out quicker than should’ve been possible, and he caught my arm. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I muttered.
Easton’s gaze dropped to my hands as if to call bullshit.
I quickly grasped them together in an attempt to hide the shaking. “It’s not like you care. You’d probably be happier if a Mack truck mowed me down.”
His green eyes narrowed, the gold flecks in them appearing to spark and shift. He took a step forward, his voice dropping lower. “What. Happened?”
After the scene in Brent’s office, Easton’s aggression should’ve had me shaking like a leaf. But I weirdly wasn’t at all scared. I met his stare dead on. “I’ll tell you what happened if you tell me why you hated me on sight.”
Something passed over Easton’s eyes so fast I couldn’t pin down the emotion. “You’re right. My life would be a hell of a lot easier if you got taken out by a Mack truck.”
He turned on his heel and stalked down the hallway.
