Page 83 of Unbreakable Thread

“Who does she go with?”

“Leo’s only gone once with her and the other times alone.” Leo has never mentioned any of this, and I never pried.

I let it go. I shouldn’t have.

“Have you seen her with Alex, her professor?” I ask, jealousy hanging on every word.

An unsettling chuckle comes out of him. “Someone’s jealous,” he quips.

I glare at him, my head still spinning from the amount of alcohol I had, which is not much for someone like me who doesn’t drink regularly. I won’t lie. I do want to crack open a beer right now and forget today and the day after.

“No, Max. You, of all people, should know her better than anyone.”

“I thought I did.” I set my phone face down on the desk. The pulling in my gut had been there since last night. The part of me that knows her, that has always known her, telling me I’d missed something. That I’d swung at the wrong thing. I wasn’t ready to listen to it yet.

Johnny shakes his head. “You’re wrong. Lately, you’ve been so occupied you haven’t noticed anything.”

He’s not the first person to say this to me. Drake said it, but they don’t understand the pressure I’m under. And I’ve never been the type of man to have a lot going on in my life. The spotlight, the interviews, management, social media, and the noise. I just want to fight and have her.

He leaves the office, and I reach for my phone.

I don’t call her.

I continue to keep myself busy, which is the only thing I know how to do when I’m sitting still, and my head is spinning.

Sol

I woke up this morning and lay there for ten minutes before I could make myself move. The kind of pain that lives in your bones doesn’t announce itself. It just makes everything heavier. Getting dressed took longer than it should have. Eating was impossible, but I forced myself. And I got up. I always get up. If I were not pregnant, I’d curl up in my bed and wither away and not be willing to eat or see daylight. But I have to keep moving and living with the ache in my heart.

I’m disappointed in Max and hurt. Did I think that Professor Mills would send flowers to my house? Of course not. Did I give Mills any indication that I was interested in him? No, but it wouldn’t be the first time. The summer when Max packed up and left, and I returned to school, he was hot on my tail. It’s been five years, and still, I thought he would respect his boundaries, but apparently not.

Opening the doors to my psychology class, I spot Professor Mills at his desk, retrieving papers from his briefcase. He looks up when I walk in. Something in his face changed, not surprise exactly, more like a man who has been waiting for a consequence to arrive and is relieved to discuss it. Class starts in about twenty minutes, and it’s empty. As I near, I gasp when I spot the huge bruise under his eyes, still red and swollen. It doesn’t surprise me. Max already paid him a visit.

“Professor,” I say, my voice stern.

He swallows and looks away.

Standing in front of his desk, I point toward him, my hand trembling slightly. “Look.” I bring my hands to my side. “There’s been a misunderstanding. I came to you for academic guidance, not…whatever you thought this was. The flowers at my doorstep? That crossed a line and was completely unprofessional. I’ve only ever seen you as my professor, someone whose expertise I respect. Nothing more.” I hold his gaze. “You ruined my relationship with Max.” My voice holds. Barely. “And the chance of my child having a family.”

The room goes silent.

He scrutinizes my belly way too long. The shirt I’m wearing is a little snug and shows the roundness. Something in his eyes flickers. Sadness.

“I’m sorry.” He peers at me. “I didn’t know you were pregnant…” He looks away. “I have fallen in love with you. It wasn’t supposed to happen, but all these years I’ve thought of you. When I ran into you, my heart leaped to finally see you again. I wanted to take the opportunity to capture your attention. It seems your heart had already been captured way before I came along. Just like he once said, you’re his, and I should have respected that.” He laughs, then runs a hand over his messy hair. “I’ll talk to the academic office and see if they can switch you to another class. I think that would be for the best. Of course, it’s up to you. I will be respectful.”

If I’d known his feelings were this strong, I would not have sought his expertise or his class. He’s a kind man, and I honestly wish he’d find himself a great woman. “I think that would be for the best, Professor.”

He simply nods. “I wish you the best.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, taking a step back. Before I walk out, I say, “I hope you find the kind of love that pulls you in so deep you can’t see straight.”

I don’t wait for his answer. I walk out and let the door close quietly behind me, which feels more final than slamming it ever could.

Chapter 25

Sol

I knock twice on Leo’s door. I hadn’t heard from him since then. I’m not sure how I feel about it, but I need to know what is going on.