Getting Schooled (The Wright Brothers #1)(19)

I wanted… something that wasn’t the relationship we’d established.

But just like that Saturday morning we’d fought, I wasn’t trying to think about that. I had other things on my mind. I had my own paper due next week, and a test, plus heavier shit that I was trying to ignore. Men weren’t in the top five list of things I needed to be thinking about. Hell, they weren’t even in the top ten, but somehow Grayson’s actions had sunk my already sullen mood even further.

As I turned the corner to get to my mother’s office, I walked right into a tall, broad body. I was moving so fast that I damn near bounced backwards, but strong arms went around me, keeping me balanced.

“Sorry,” I said, then stepped away, and was already about to continue my journey down the hall when he spoke up.

“That’s it? No insult today?”

My head popped up, and I really looked at who I’d bumped into it.

Jason.

I hadn’t seen him since last Saturday either, but he’d certainly been on my mind. I’d needed to meet with one of my professors during the time I would have normally seen him in my mother’s class, and I felt halfway insane for almost… kind of… missing him.

Although we hadn’t been in each other’s presence, I’d read his words. The class was on the romance novel that I’d recommended to my mother, and the students had been tasked with giving their preliminary thoughts, at the halfway point of the book. Not a full paper, not even a critique, not about the technical aspects, not really. Just their casual thoughts.

“Honestly? I think these two are silly. I’ll admit that I don’t read a ton of romance novels, but does this dynamic ever work? According to his description of her, Vivienne is smart, sexy, successful, and amazing in bed according to these sex scenes. What man wouldn’t want to make her his? Well, this idiotic one in this book, Carter. I’m a little past halfway, and she just dropped the “what am I to you?” bomb on him, and I swear I wanted to smack this dude for his reaction. If he wasn’t into her like that, okay, I would get it. But that’s not the case. He loves this girl, but instead of admitting that, and explaining whatever (most likely bullshit) reason he has to not be with her, he broke her heart. It’s not cool. Not at all.”

I was supposed to be commenting on these. I was supposed to be asking questions, pulling more from them based on their thoughts, compiling a list that my mother would use to discuss love, romance, and dysfunctional family dynamics in literature. The next book on their list was literary fiction, with a heavy romance element. The one after that was more focused on families. They’d be contrasting the difference between how different elements were interwoven in the three novels.

So it was important. And still, I was putting it off. For one, because the class was still reading the book, and there was still time before that discussion. Also?

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what Jason’s thoughts were on life, and love. I was intrigued enough without that.

“No, not today,” I said, giving him a wry smile.

“Wow, do I need to check your temperature or something? Call a doctor?”

I laughed a little as I studied him, and shook my head. “Nah. Not necessary.”

He was wearing the mechanic’s shirt again today, and for the first time, I noticed the “J. Wright” embroidered above the pocket. No idea how I’d missed it before. “Okay,” he said, nodding. It was almost funny, that he looked so genuinely confused. “You sure you’re aiight?”

“Yes,” I lied, for the second time in less than five minutes. “I’m fine.”

“See you in class Friday?”

I smirked. “What, did you miss me or something?”

“Nah,” he said, after sucking his teeth. “Nobody missed your mean ass. I just noticed you weren’t there is all.”

“Uh huh. Sure.”

“You gonna answer the question?”

I let out a little sigh, then brought my gaze up to meet his, forcing myself to smile. “I… don’t know yet. I never know useful information. Remember?” I winked at him, and then turned away, finishing my trip down the hall to my mother’s office.

That little flirting had stripped the last of my emotional energy, and I unlocked the door with what felt like the last of my physical too. I closed it behind me, and then dropped into the chair at the desk I used, resting my head on the desk with a sigh.

After a few moments had passed, I pulled out my phone, navigating it to a particular number. I waffled for several moments, knowing I couldn’t call it, but wanting to anyway. Finally, I tucked it away. Pulled out my laptop, started it up, and dove into my work.

Anything to absorb myself in and make it through the next few days.





six.





I didn’t make it to class Friday.

Not my class, not my mother’s class, and I didn’t even bother explaining, because she already knew why. I slept in as late as my body would let me – nine in the morning, even after I’d been up at midnight the night before to go for a run.

As soon as the sunlight pulled me from my sleep, I got up, drank a cup of Valerian tea, took more melatonin, and climbed my ass right back in the bed to toss and turn. By the time 2pm rolled around, it was clear that my body wasn’t on board with my idea to sleep away the cognizance that this day even existed.