Page 47 of Classroom Confessions

“She shouldn’t blame anyone.” Ethan elbowed David in the ribs. “And you’re acting like an ass hiding behind that shield.”

“He’s right.” I forced my feet to move, not stopping until my toes touched David’s. “You’re pissed. It’s fine, be pissed.” I dropped to my knees. “Just don’t shut me out. Please.” Please let me be different. Let him want me enough to show how much he cared.

He stared straight ahead, a muscle in his jaw ticking. “Are you saying we don’t tell her? That we keep all this a secret?” He splayed his hands across his thighs.

That was exactly what I’d been thinking. It would never work. We were already hiding, but I would only be their student for a year. Next summer, we could do whatever we wanted.

If we were still together next summer.

“We shouldn’t have to hide.” Cole draped an arm over my shoulders and pulled me to his side. “We’re not doing anything wrong.”

“According to campus policy, we are.” Ethan interjected before David could speak. “Things are complicated enough without Rebecca trying to keep secrets from her parents.”

“It’s not like you’ll be going to see them or anything.” I tried to smile but it fell flat. “Right?”

“Valid point.” Cole pointed at David. “I wanted her to tell you because of what happened with you and Carrie. That's it. There is nothing else that has to be done right away. Should we tell them? Yes. But when is the real question. If you tell Carrie and it pisses her off, she’s as likely to out us to the dean as that student of Ethan’s.”

Shit. I’d almost forgotten about that.

“Secrets never stay hidden.” David sounded as bleak as a black hole. “We’re lucky we’ve made it this long.”

“What do we want to do, then?” Ethan had been quiet for so long, I’d thought he wouldn’t speak at all.

“Oh, we get to decide together this time? How magnanimous of you.” David scoffed and kicked at Ethan’s knee. “It’s about time you figured out that we’re in this together. It’s not every man for himself.”

This was not the conversation I’d thought we were going to have. The last of my excitement drained away, leaving me listless and weary. I swayed closer to Cole. Another inch or two and my head would be on his chest. I held myself back. “I think we have a few options. But I don’t like any of them.” The bitter taste of my thoughts infiltrated my mouth, coating my tongue in acid. “We could wait a year.”

“No.” All three of them shot me down simultaneously.

A flurry of hope burst inside me. “But that would solve all our problems. No worries about losing your jobs. Then we can even tell Carrie.”

“I’m not waiting a year.” Ethan’s look scalded me. “I don’t give a damn what the dean thinks, or what your stepmother thinks. I can be patient, but not when it comes to you. To us.”

“So what is the solution, then? We tell Carrie and then we walk on pins and needles for the next year until I’m in different classes?” I hugged Fitz tighter as he snored in my arms. Pressure built in my chest and behind my eyes. It was all such a fucking mess. Why did I have to fall for them? They were amazing, of course, and hot as hell. We were all smart enough to know this was a terrible idea and that we should simply walk away before shit went sideways.

Should. Such a tiny word that held us hostage.

My phone rang, startling Fitz. He twitched and sprang forward, leaping into Cole’s arms. Cole caught him with a laugh and ruffled the dog’s ears. “That’s Lily.” I recognized her ringtone and made a grab for my phone before it rolled to voicemail.

She bellowed into my ear as soon as I tapped the button. “I need you to come in to work.”

“Why? I’m not scheduled until later.”

“I’m here by myself. Everyone else is sick and there’s an order arriving in an hour. You need to watch the counter while I unload and check inventory.” Lily’s frantic tone made Fitz whine. He nosed my arm.

I winced at Ethan, David, and Cole. “I’ll be there.” Lily needed me and we were getting nowhere. Maybe things would clarify with some time apart.

I ended the call and took Fitz back from Cole. “I’m sorry. I have to go. Lilly wouldn’t ask unless it was an emergency.”

Cole hugged me tight, whispering into my ear, “I’ll keep them from fighting.”

A half-laugh, half-sob caught in my throat. “Good. It’s not worth fighting over.”

“You are.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “You’re worth it. We’ll figure this out.”

Should I try to hug David and Ethan too? They stayed on the couch as Cole released me. Tension pressed in from every side, making the room feel ten times smaller.

David shoved to his feet, followed by Ethan. Ethan reached me first and kissed me on the cheek. “Be careful. We’ll talk later.”

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