Page 24 of Lessons in Sin

Sometimes the darkest love brings the strongest light, and I’d be a fool to throw that away.

Chapter 15

‘… and so, we’re just going to keep it a secret.’ I murmur into the phone pressed between my shoulder and ear as I tidy my desk.

Katie is gone - as per usual. Not that I’m complaining. Something’s been seriously stuck up her ass the past few days and I could do with a break from it.

Ruby is silent on the other end … but then I hear a squeal. ‘Okay, I know this is serious, I do, but you’re fucking your professor! And not in a creepy, give me better grades way.’

‘Well, it’s not the best situation but we did try to stay away from each other.’

‘For a few weeks.’ Ruby deadpans.

‘Yea and that was difficult.’ I say, falling back into my desk chair. ‘But anyway, what’s new with you? Any men or women on the horizon?’

Ruby hums. ‘Not a single prospect. How is it that I’m the one who likes two genders and yet I’m still the single one?’

‘Have you come up for air away from your computer long enough to look?’

‘… Irrelevant.’

I smile. ‘I miss you.’

‘I miss you too! We need to coordinate when we come home so were both there at the same time.’

Groaning, I close my eyes. ‘That reminds me, my mother’s been trying to get hold of me.’

‘Yikes, you’ve not spoken to them since moving?’

‘Nope.’

‘You should call her.’

‘Yep.’

She laughs, used to my complicated relationship with my parents. ‘Goodbye Scarlett. Go call your mother.’

‘Ugh fine.’

Hanging up the phone, I press dial on my mother’s name before I can talk myself out of it.

’Scarlett.’ Her voice is tight and biting, and I can imagine the expression on her face as she says it - pinched together as if she was sucking on a lemon.

‘Mother.’

‘Well, at least I can tell your father that you’re alive.’

‘I’m sure he’ll jump for joy.’ I mutter.

Ignoring me, as usual, she moves on. ‘I contacted all your professors for a report on your learning so far.’

I Sit up so fast I may just get whiplash. ‘Are you fucking serious?’

‘Language Scarlett.’

‘Mom do you not realise that I’m an adult now?’

‘Adults pay for their own college education.’

---