Total pages in book: 176
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 167257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 836(@200wpm)___ 669(@250wpm)___ 558(@300wpm)
“My bed is comfortable,” I offered.
“You fuck your ex on that mattress?” When I said nothing, he gave a dry chuckle. “I’m good on the couch.”
“We have a guest room,” I grumbled. “There are clean sheets on the bed and fresh towels in the closet if you want to shower.”
“Cool.”
With nothing left to say, I grabbed my mom’s car keys and headed for the garage. The store was only a ten-minute drive away, so I was there in no time. I hopped out, grabbed a cart, and started throwing random shit inside since I hadn’t made a list.
“Damn it,” I cursed when I reached the frozen food section and realized the store was out of my favorite ice cream. I stared through the glass door of the freezer contemplating another flavor.
“You should try the pistachio,” a voice over my shoulder suggested. “It will change your life.”
Immediately, I wrinkled my nose at that awful idea until I turned and saw the woman lingering behind me. She was dressed in her usual fashion—wide-legged dress pants, a frilly blouse, and heels. Since it was November, she’d paired it with a long trench coat and her natural hair pulled back in a bun.
“Professor Saunders? Oh, my gosh! Hi!” I said, rushing forward to hug her. She tensed, and I chalked it up to surprise before abandoning the idea and stepping back. Maybe I’d crossed some boundary I didn’t know existed between us. Oh well. “It’s good to see you. How are you?”
“I’m doing as well as I can. And you? I apologize if I’ve been distant lately. I’ve had a few troubles of my own.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Remembering Sutton’s hateful words, I felt a little guilty. It seemed that every time Professor Saunders and I talked, the subject had always been about me. I hadn’t intended it that way but she’d always been so curious, especially about my time in Idlewild. “You’ve been my center for so long that I’d be happy to return the favor if you want to talk about it.”
“You’re sweet, Atlas, but I think I’ll manage.”
I blinked, a little startled at her sudden coldness. “I-I’m sorry. Have I done something?”
Professor Saunders smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course not. I had something very important to me stolen by someone I thought was my friend, but it’s not your fault. It’s just…human nature.”
“I…yes…that does sound bad.” I was really thinking, What the fuck? It almost sounded like she was accusing me, but that didn’t make sense, so I decided I must have misunderstood her. Either way, I was ready to end this awkward encounter. “Well, I better go. Lots of shopping to do and I didn’t come with a list. I could be here for hours.”
“I hope not. I’m sure your mother will be missing you by her bedside.”
This time, I couldn’t keep my bewilderment from my expression. “How did you know my mother was in the hospital?” Professor Saunders and I hadn’t spoken in weeks.
She blinked and then seemed to recover. “I have a friend on the nursing staff at Ossella Memorial.”
“Ohh…okay.” But that still didn’t make any sense. How did her nurse friend know that Kareena was my mom or that I was friends with the professor?
“Welcome home, Atlas. I wish you and Owen the best. I’m sure you two will be very happy together.”
Owen? I’d only ever referred to him as Rowdy in our emails.
I watched as Professor Saunders walked away, set her empty basket aside, and headed straight for the exit without purchasing anything.
I waited for a beat, and then I did the same.
Outside, I watched her climb into a silver Tesla and drive away. Feeling my heart race, I rushed to my mom’s car and didn’t think twice about it before deciding to tail her.
“Okay, class. That concludes our lecture for today. Don’t forget to complete this week’s practice exam on Canvas. You’ll be automatically bumped half a letter grade on your final if you complete each one. See you next week.”
It was another half hour before the last student left and another three before my last class and office hours ended.
I was packing up my materials for home when the door opened, and Susan, the department chair for the arts and sciences, walked in.
“Hello, Susan. Did you need something? I was just about to head out.”
“Good afternoon, Professor. I’m sorry to delay you, but this shouldn’t take long.”
I released a nervous chuckle. “Sounds serious.”
Susan’s expression didn’t soften. “Yes, I’m afraid it is. I understand that two semesters ago, you had a student by the name of Atlas Beck.”
I schooled my expression as I regarded the department chair. “I may have. I’ve had a lot of students, Susan. It’s hard to remember them all by name.”
“I see.” Susan sighed as if she was disappointed in my answer. “Well, you should know that I’ve received a complaint from the student’s mother that you’ve had inappropriate contact with her daughter that involved exchanged emails and disturbing letters sent by you to Miss Beck.”