Page 66 of Tenure

James steps into his space and grabs him by the throat, lifting him right off the trunk of the car.

“I saiddo you understand me?”

Graham nods and James drops him, making his way back to the driver’s side and getting in, slamming the door, hard.

“James?”

“What.”

“I was being serious. You’ve made me jealous.”

He turns to look at me. “Jealous?”

I place my hand on my neck.

“I don’t want you to choke anyone but me.”

45

James

I call my lawyer on the drive home.

“James? It’s been a long time.”

“I punched a student.”

“As good at small talk as ever, I see.”

“And threatened him.”

I hear his heavy sigh as he sticks his glasses on the desk. “What did he do?”

“Hit my car.”

“You couldn’t have just grabbed his insurance?”

“He also put hands on my girlfriend.”

Gerald swears. “Did either incident happen on campus?”

“Yes.”

“Is there video surveillance?”

“Probably.”

“Come to my office tomorrow. We’ll have a . . .chat.And James?”

“Yeah.”

“She must really be something, if you’re so worked up.”

I glance sideways at her, and she blushes.

“She is.”

“I’ve never heard you call someone a girlfriend before. Would have sworn you were gay.”

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