Page 37 of The Right Kind of Wrong

CHAPTER 13

Evelyn

“Call or text if you need something,” Nathan said once again. The concern and anger was etched all over his face. It was clear he didn't want to let me go to class by myself, not after what happened with Josh.

“It'll be fine,” I said, closing my eyes and leaning against the headrest of the seat. We were parked at the campus garage waiting for it to be time for each of us to go where we needed to be.

The weekend had allowed for discussion of our situation, especially given the small detail that my sister was out trying to fix whatever she thought Nate had destroyed with his pointless violence and I with my childish drama.

She'd hardly blinked when I told her what had happened. In fact, she said I had asked for it by leaving with Josh alone. I had ruined any chance of her business deal going through. Not one word of comfort or a single pat on my back. I was just the person who had caused another problem in her life. It shouldn't have surprised me. But it did and it hurt.

That night Nathan had sneaked in my room and held me while I fell asleep. It was inappropriate, considering the fact that she was across the hall. Then again, everything we were doing was inappropriate.

The way he was holding my hand while we waited was one of them.

“I fucking hate that you have to see him again,” he groaned, anger slipping in every syllable.

My eyes fluttered open. His gaze was hard with anger, I could tell how much he was struggling to control it.

“I still think you should go to the cops and report him.”

“Maybe,” I agreed. I looked down at my phone, frowning when I realized we only had a few minutes left before we needed to head inside. “Should we eat lunch together?” I asked, turning my body around to face him.

“I'd like that,” he replied. Nathan brought his hand up to my face and leaned in, pressing his lips against mine. We'd decided we were going to give things a try. He’d checked out of his marriage a long time ago and Hannah knew it. I believed him when he said all he was waiting for was for the time period to be over.

Part of me believed we may as well just wait for it to be over, but it was too hard to stay away from each other when we lived under the same roof.

He broke the kiss with a smile resting his forehead against mine. “It's time,” he murmured.

I nodded and stepped out of the car. He walked next to me as we made small talk on our way to campus and when we finally had to part ways, he placed a kiss on my forehead, wishing me to have a good day while silently pleading for me to let him know if I needed help.

Taking my time to get to class was probably not the best choice, especially considering the last time I was late, Professor Lanthorn had put me on the spot. However, I dreaded seeing Josh. The thought of being in the same room with him put me on edge, making me want to tell everyone what he was capable of, despite knowing it would set off a storm within our families. I'd been much too shocked to take action before, but now that I knew I had people on my side, it was easier to think clearly.

“Miss Carson. As always, it's a pleasure for you to join us,” Professor Lanthorn said, words dripping with sarcasm. “Take a seat wherever you want whenever you find it convenient. Don't let the fact that you've once again interrupted my lecture bother you.”

Though he was irritated, I could sense a hint of amusement in the professor’s voice. I looked around the room, Josh was seated in the usual spot without even glancing in my direction. I sighed relief and took a seat on the far corner, catching the attention of the professor. He creased his forehead, surprised that I wasn't sitting where in my usual spot.

I texted Nathan to let him know I was fine and received a response so quickly, I could sense the relief in every word he wrote.

I was hardly able to focus on the lesson being taught because I would constantly feel like I was being watched.

I was going to have to do something about it.

At the end of class, Professor Lanthorn asked me to stay after class ended. Once everyone was gone, I approached him as he took a seat.

“Is your punctuality going to be an issue, Miss Carson?” He crossed his arms over his chest while he awaited my response.

“Sorry,” I apologized. “It was just a bit of a long weekend. It’s taken me a bit to get back into my routine. It won't happen again.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “I'm not bothered. I just like annoying those who are late.” The professor turned serious, clicking a pen as he considered what he was going to say. “I don't mean to pry, but my real question was whether or not you were okay. I noticed you didn't sit with Nicholson over there, and that's odd.”

I sighed, placing a strand of my hair behind my ear. “It's personal. But since we're discussing the topic, if we ever need to work in pairs, could you make sure I don't end up paired up with him, or any other boy, for that matter?”

Professor Lanthorn's eyes widened with understanding and he nodded, standing up with his briefcase in his hands. “Where are you going to next?” he asked.

“Art department,” I smiled. “You don't have to go with me. It’s fine.”

“No problem, really.” He indeed walked with me out of the campus, not without reminding me that if I knew something, I needed to go to the authorities.

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