Page 70 of Midnight of Ashes
Professor Brent strode in, gaze sweeping the students. It stopped on me and then the empty seat next to me. He smiled as he set his briefcase down. “Let’s begin. We have a lot to cover today.”
He wasn’t wrong. By the time class was over, my hand ached from all the notes I’d taken. I could’ve opted for my laptop, but I found I retained things better if I handwrote them.
I took my time as students filed out of class, knowing it would take some time for Cáel and Knox to make it over from the English building anyway. Slipping my notebook into my backpack, I stood and headed down the steps.
“Hayden,” Professor Brent called.
I fought the groan that wanted to surface. “Yes, Professor?”
“Let’s head to my office. We’re overdue for a meeting.”
“I actually have plans?—”
“They can wait,” he clipped.
I bit the inside of my cheek but nodded. Pulling my phone out of my backpack, I typed out a text to Knox and Cáel.
Me
I have to meet with Professor Brent. Meet me by his office?
“Let’s go,” Brent snapped.
I shoved the phone back into my pocket and followed him out of the classroom. It took us a couple of minutes to follow the maze of hallways to his office. He opened the door and gestured me inside.
“Have a seat.”
I swallowed hard as he motioned to the couch. I took the spot farthest to one side, placing my backpack in between us to create distance.
Brent scowled at my bag as he sat. “How are you feeling?”
“Good. A lot better.” I knotted my fingers together, unsure what the answer should’ve been for a gunshot victim. I probably should’ve researched that.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Brent said, leaning back against the leather couch. “I’ve been worried about you.”
My stomach twisted. “I’m good, really. All caught up on my schoolwork.”
Brent drummed his fingers on the back of the couch. “You know, an advisor’s job isn’t just to care for their advisee’s academic well-being. It’s to care for their emotional well-being, as well.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. “That’s good, too.”
He shook his head. “I’m not so sure about that. You’ve been spending time with some unsavory characters, Hayden. I’ve heard the rumors.”
My breaths came quicker. “I don’t think rumors are anything to pay attention to.”
Brent arched a brow. “So, you’re not involved with multiple men?”
My spine snapped straight. “I’m not sure that’s any of your business.”
“I’m your advisor.”
Anger flared somewhere deep. “And what would the university say if they knew you were asking me about my romantic relationships?”
Anger flashed in the professor’s eyes. “I would be perfectly within my rights to be concerned based on what I’ve heard. In fact, maybe I should bring it up to the university. There is a code of conduct for your scholarship. I’m sure this would go against it.”
My blood turned to ice.
A smile stretched across Brent’s face, but there was nothing warm about it. “Now, I’m sure we can come to some other arrangement.”
