“Which one?”
She shrugs, looking past me and hoping to catch a glimpse of Professor Kingston. “I don’t know. But maybe it’s not true. You know, sometimes people just talk shit. A few girls have tried shooting their shot with him, though.”
“I’m going to assume nothing came of it.”
“You’d be right. As hot as he is, he seems to be a bit…stuffy. Or maybe I should say a straight arrow. You know? He’s not about to break any rules.”
I glance over my shoulder and find Mr. Not Going to Break Any Rules looking right at me. When I meet his gaze, he quickly turns his attention back to the papers in his hands. “Hmm.”
Ayanna snorts. “Good luck. See you for lunch?”
“Yep.”
There’s only a few students in the class, but none of them sit up front with me, so when I take my seat directly in front of the professor, I shoot him a saccharine smile.
“Good morning, Professor.”
He barely looks up at me. “Morning.”
More and more students begin to file in, and within five minutes, class begins. Professor Kingston is going over the lesson plan when an attractive Latino guy rushes into the class.
“Sorry, teach. Had some trouble with my car.”
Teach looks anything but sympathetic. “Take a seat.”
The tardy student plops down next to me, noisily dropping his bag to the floor, and slamming a heavy binder onto the table. With a glance in my direction, he says, “Hey, Mami,” and offers me his hand. “Lorenzo. What’s your name?”
“Nova,” I reply with an automatic grin.
“Cool.” Then he slides a pencil over his ear and settles into his seat.
Professor Kingston clears his throat, looking right at him. “Are you done?”
“Oh yeah. Go ‘head.”
I choke on a laugh, but quickly pin my lips together when the professor’s eyes meet mine.
Ten minutes before class is over, we finally have some free time. Professor K already assigned homework, and gave us the last ten minutes to get to know our classmates. He made sure to let us know this won’t happen often, and that it’s only because it’s the first week of school.
“You from around here?” Lorenzo asks.
“Nah. I just moved here. You?”
“I’m new too. I used to live about an hour and a half away.”
“Well, at least it’ll be easy to visit family.”
“For sure.”
A girl comes up to us, stopping in front of our desks. “Hey. I’m Aiko. I overheard you saying you were new, so I figured I’d introduce myself as a fellow newbie.”
“Hey, Aiko,” Lorenzo greets. “Where you from, baby girl?”
Aiko blushes at the term of endearment. Lorenzo’s a charmer. “Well, I moved here from New Jersey, but I was born in Japan.”
“Dope,” Lorenzo says with a nod.
“I’m Nova, this is Lorenzo,” I tell her.
She smiles. “I hate being new. Everything’s so awkward and uncomfortable.”
“Here, let’s exchange numbers. I’ve met one friend so far, and she’s pretty cool. She told me about some parties this weekend. I can text you the details if you wanna come.”
She looks hesitant, but then Lorenzo shoots up from his desk, producing his phone and says, “Yeah, gimme your number. I’m down for a party.”
“Yeah, sure. Me too,” Aiko replies, wrenching her phone from her pocket.
The three of us exchange numbers, and once it’s time to leave, everyone starts rushing out the door, but I linger near my desk.
When it’s just us, I walk up to his desk. “Professor?”
“Yes?” he replies, sitting back in his chair and looking up at me.
“I have an interview at the campus library today. Can you tell me where it is?”
“Oh.” He almost looks disappointed that I have a legit question. “You’re going to exit this building at the south end, then cross the courtyard, and you can’t miss it. There will be a big sign.”
“Cool. Thanks.”
“No problem.” He grants me a crooked smile. “Good luck.”
“Thank you.”
* * *
“You got it?” my sister squeals.
I withdraw the phone from my ear briefly. “Yes! Right on the spot. They must’ve really needed help. I start tomorrow.”
“I’m so proud of you!”
“Thanks,” I reply with a cheesy grin.
It’s not my first job, but Gia likes to make a big deal out of everything.
“Any other news?”
“Uh. Not really. Met a couple people in my math class today. Lorenzo and Aiko. Lorenzo is also in my literature class. Ayanna invited me to a party this weekend. Oh, and did I mention my math professor is super hot?”
“Yes, you mentioned that,” Gia groans. “But new friends are cool. A party, though? Right away? I thought because it was a small town, there wouldn’t be the typical college party stuff.”
“You thought wrong, sis!” I say with a laugh. “Don’t worry. I know how you get, but I’m responsible.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Well, I have to take a shower and do some homework. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“Okay. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
After I hang up, I quickly take a shower, then I sit on my bed and begin my homework. Two hours later, I’m done and crawling under the covers to go to sleep.
I hear a noise outside my bedroom window that makes every muscle in my body tense up. I stay completely still and listen for more, but nothing ever comes.
This thing with Mario may have affected me more than I realized.
9
The first two weeks of school went by quickly, and now that it’s Friday again, I hear more talk about parties. Lorenzo and Nova are up front making plans for tomorrow, and it bothers me that I’m annoyed by it.
“All right, time’s up. Place your papers on my desk before you leave, and be safe this weekend.”
“What’re you doing this weekend, Professor?” Luke asks me.
“I’ll be with my brothers,” I state simply, not going into detail.
Luke snorts. “Fun.”
As people are tossing their work on my desk, I say, “In one pile would be nice.”
“How many brothers do you have?” Nova asks, her ass perched on her desk.
“Three,” I answer, straightening up the papers.
Lorenzo puts his paper down, lifting the strap of his backpack onto his shoulder. “You comin’?” he asks Nova.
“Yeah, one sec. I’ll meet up with you.”
Lorenzo winks at her before leaving, and I try not to roll my eyes.
“What are you and your brothers gonna do this weekend?” she asks me, coming up to my desk.
There’s something about the way she talks to me that drives me crazy. Not that she’s annoying—she’s sweet. She’s trying to get to know me by asking a couple of questions each time she’s in my class. She smiles, and flirts in a way that isn’t too aggressive, but is noticeable. She’s only driving me crazy because I can’t respond to her in the way I would if she weren’t a student.
She’s dressed modestly in a white tank top, with an unbuttoned red and blue flannel—her full breasts still very much noticeable. And I definitely remember what they look and feel like. I find my eyes tracking every exposed piece of flesh, then quickly snap my gaze back to hers.
“Oh, we’re going to a concert.”
She quirks a brow, her lips turning up on one end. “You? A concert?”
I can’t help the small chuckle that comes out. “What? Is that a surprise?”
“Well…yeah,” she says with a laugh. “You don’t seem like the type.” She pauses, putting her hand on her hip. “Wait, is it like a folksy or jazz type concert?”
The laugh I release is a full-on belly laugh. “No, it’s a rock concert.”
Her brows shoot up. “Well, oka
y now, Professor Kingston,” she says with humor. “Didn’t peg you for a rock concert type of guy.”
“Well, that’s probably because you don’t know me.” My tone is much too flirtatious, and the smile probably didn’t help, but I can’t take it back now.
She grins, surprised. “Not yet. I’ll get there.” Nova allows her fingertips to barely touch my upper arm as she walks past. It’s such a casual gesture, but the look in her eyes and the flirty smile on her lips is anything but casual. It stirs something in me. “Have a good weekend, Professor. I look forward to hearing about this concert.”
I don’t have enough time to produce a response, because she’s out the door and down the hall before I can open my mouth.
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter to myself, walking back to my desk.
The rest of the day flies by, but before I go home, I head to the library. Sometimes I choose to do my grading there so I don’t have to take so much home, and I prefer it to my office. When it’s the weekend, I like to relax, and having a pile of paperwork staring at you doesn’t help you do that, so I try to get as much done as possible.
I enter the large building, smile at Annie who’s sitting behind the front desk, then head to my usual spot in the corner, my back to the room.
I take over the table with my laptop, briefcase, papers, and cup of coffee spread across the entire wooden top, then get to work.
After an hour, as I’m getting ready to log into the math portal and check on online homework, her voice stops me.
Nova.
“Hey, Professor. Workin’ hard, huh?”
I angle my head over my left shoulder and look up at Nova’s full lips stretched into a smile. I hate that she calls me professor, but I get it. She can’t very well walk around calling me Elijah.
“Just trying to get it done.”
“Because you’re going to a rock concert,” she states, humor lacing her voice like she still doesn’t believe it.
I sit back in my chair. “That’s right. So, I take it you got the job here.”
She smiles. “Yes, sir. I have the power to tell people to be quiet and make sure books are put back where they’re supposed to be. You should be very afraid of the power I have.”
I crack a grin. “I’ll be sure to keep it down.”
She glances down at the pile of papers. “So, how bad did I do?”
“Well, you aren’t supposed to know until Monday.”
“Right, but considering my paper is that one on the top…” She bends down and gets a better look at the grade. “Well, it’s not failing, but almost.”
“You’ll do better next time,” I tell her.
“Glad you think so.”
Because I just can’t help myself, I ask, “What are your plans for the weekend?”
Nova drops to the chair across from me with a wide smile, like she’s glad I finally inquired about her life.
“Well, once I’m off tonight, I’m just gonna go home, get into some pajamas, and watch TV. Probably snack all night long. Tomorrow, I’m meeting up with my friends and eating dinner before going to a party. And like any other college student, I will do all of my homework Sunday night, regretting not doing it earlier.”
I chuckle. “I see. You’re going with Lorenzo? To the party?”
Her eyes narrow slightly while her luscious lips curl up on the ends. “Yes, I’m going with Lorenzo. Why?”
“Just want to make sure you’re going with people who will take care of you and not take advantage.”
“Aww, you worry about all your students like this?”
I straighten up and log into my computer. “Of course.”
“Well, Lorenzo seems like a good guy, but I’ll also be there with two other girls. So, we’ll outnumber him.”
“Good.”
“I’m not really into Lorenzo anyway. I mean, he’s cute, but…”
I hold my hand up. “It’s not really my business.”
“I just wanted to say he’s not my type.”
What’s your type? What’s your type? What’s your type? Those three words run over and over in my head, resting on the tip of my tongue. It’s not appropriate for a teacher to ask a student that question, but she left it hanging there, wanting me to bite. And damn do I want to take that bite.
I clench my jaw, focusing on the screen, even though I’m not seeing the words. All I can think about is how she’s staring at me, and what the fuck is her type?
“Do you want to know what my type is?” she asks, her voice dropping to a husky tone as her pale pink fingernails scrape across the table, coming closer to me.
I finally peel my eyes away from the screen and meet her gaze, doing my best to look uninterested.
“I like guys who are older than me.” Her pinky finger grazes the side of my hand. I glance down, and she eases back, hiding them in her lap.
“I’m sure there’s plenty of older students here.”
It takes every part of my self-control to not feed into this flirtatious game. I’m usually the aggressor. I’m the one who lets it be known what I want. I’m not in the least bit shy or uncomfortable talking to women. But Nova isn’t just a woman. She’s a student in my class.
She looks hurt, and though it’s not what I intended, it might be what’s best. Having a crush on your teacher isn’t anything new, but I can’t allow her to think there’s a chance anything could happen again. I have to control this.
Nova forces a smile as she stands up. “You’re right. I’m sure I’ll meet plenty of older guys at the party this weekend.”
I swallow the growl that threatens to erupt. “Just be careful,” I ground out.
“See you Monday,” she replies, walking away.
10
“Okay, who do we think is cute?” Ayanna says, standing next to me as I lean up against the wall in the living room of one of the frat houses.
I take a sip from my red Solo cup. “Uhh, I’m not seeing anyone.”
“What?” she screeches. “What about TJ? White guy in the red and black striped shirt?” she says, pointing him out.
“Nah.”
“Okay. What about Miles? Light-skinned black guy over there between those two chicks. Ew. Are they all making out? Okay, never mind about him.”
I almost spit out my drink. “What about you?”
She smiles, her eyes dancing with mischief. “Luca.” Ayanna points him out in the kitchen. “My Puerto Rican papi,” she says with a laugh. “My dad would be so happy.”
“I take it your dad is Puerto Rican?”
“Yep. Mom is black and doesn’t care who I date as long as they treat me right. I mean, my dad cares about that too, but you know, he wants to keep the Puerto Rican genes going.”
“I got you.”
“What about your parents? You’re obviously mixed too.”
“My dad was also Puerto Rican, and my mom was German and black.”
She pauses. “Was?”
I nod once. “They died several years back. It’s okay. Don’t feel bad about it or anything.”
She nods, and thankfully lets it go. “Okay, let’s get a refill. Luca’s by the keg. And I see a cutie for you, too.”
I go with her, because I don’t want us to be separated, not because I want to see this cutie…who’s not really that cute. But I’ll be a good wing woman.
Lorenzo’s playing beer pong with a few other guys and Aiko left about an hour into the party. She’s still not too comfortable in this type of scene.
My mind briefly wonders what Elijah is doing now. I know it’s concert night, so I imagine he’s in a crowd of people, headbanging or jumping up and down. I laugh thinking about it. It’s so not him.
Ayanna turns around. “What’s funny?”
I shake my head. “Do you know of any concerts around here?”
She tilts her head. “No. I don’t think so.”
“Oh, you talkin’ about The Unwanted? They’re playing a couple hours away,” Luca chimes in.
�
��The Unwanted?”
“Yep. Rock group. They’re a pretty big deal. Especially around here.”
“Why’s that?”
“They grew up here. Born and raised in little ol’ Gaspar. Now they’re rock stars. It’s pretty cool.”
He shrugs and goes back to his drink, leaving me to wonder if my math professor knows them. Maybe they were students.
A couple hours go by, and Ayanna leaves with Luca, so I make my way back to my apartment—sober and bored. After a late-night snack, I open my laptop and do some internet sleuthing.
Typing in The Unwanted produces tons of articles, varying from tabloid photos and articles, artist interviews, and music videos. After clicking on some images, I study the pictures of the band members. All of them are attractive in their own way and they all look pretty young.
I click on a Wikipedia page and read a bit about each member. When I come to Merrick Kingston, I pause, my mouth agape.
Merrick Kingston. Born in Gaspar, Ohio. Twenty-two years old. Three brothers. Parents died when he was just a kid.
They’re brothers.
“Wow,” I say on a breath.
After that, I spiral into the rabbit hole of internet articles. I come across something about the death of their parents. It’s a local news article. I hesitate, feeling weird about finding this information out via a late-night internet search. A search I’m not even sure why I’m conducting.
I let my eyes graze over the article, spotting certain words like car accident and survived by four sons.
I close the computer, unwilling to dive any deeper into his life like this. It doesn’t seem fair to find out his tragedies this way. My curiosity about my hot math professor and one-night stand got the best of me, and considering his dismissal of me yesterday, I shouldn’t even care about what he’s up to or what he’s been through.
Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous. Being in his class is the highlight of my day, and when he looks at me, my body grows warm as butterflies take flight in my stomach. I’ve never had a reaction to a teacher like that before. Actually, I haven’t had a reaction to anybody like that before.
Against the Rules Page 4