Page 172 of Forbidden Lessons

I slam the door and throw the gear shift in reverse, taking off with his Land Rover at a dangerous speed. At the next intersection, I bang my hand against the steering wheel as I fight back a sob.

Then I realize it’shissteering wheel, that I need to take this car back to his house and fetch mine.

I pull over and have a good sob about it, so I don’t cause an accident. And then I drive back to the sorority house, because even though I desperately want to drive to the diner and beg for my job back, I’m in no state to do that right now.

Chapter 50

Haven

I know it’s a mistake the instant I crawl into bed and pull the covers up. I’ve been here for an hour, and I’m too miserable to even go to the bathroom and pee.

How the hell did this day get so fucked?

Was I being punished for enjoying that shopping spree? I’m not religious, but maybe there’s something to this whole God thing, because this feels personal.

I let myself relax for one minute. Stop to smell the flowersone time. Then the Almighty slaps me on the knuckles with a ruler. The worst part? I’m hungry again, but I’m feeling too sorry for myself to raid the fridge.

“You know, I used to do that.”

“Raid the fridge?” I mutter into my pillow.

Melissa scoffs, her bed creaking as she drops into it. “Please. I’ve been counting calories since I was twelve.” There’s a thump as she drops a shoe onto the carpet. Which just makes me think of those gorgeous stilettos I couldn’t even walk in. Which makes me think about Bastian, which?—

“Ugh!”

Melissa carries on like I didn’t even groan in frustration. “Pre-game napping. If I didn’t have so much shit to do, I’d join you.”

“Not like I’m napping anymore anyway,” I complain, rolling onto my back and rubbing my hands over my face. “And I wasn’t pre-gaming anything. I’m not going.”

Melissa was busy kicking off her other mule, but stops to give me a forceful, wide-eyed glare. “Weird. Almost sounded like you said you’re not going.”

“I’m not.” I stare up at the ceiling, shaking my head. “Had some bad tacos for lunch.”

Then some good shopping, then some weird talking, then some awful fighting.

Why can’t Bastian just be normal? I’m not an expert on the subject, but I really don’t think my professor had any right to quit my job for me. Even though what he says makes sense.

How am I supposed to go to classes, study, and work at the diner? And I guess I don’t really need to if I’m being fed and housed here. But what about, I dunno, clothes? Tampons? Shampoo?

Fine, I still have a box of tampons, and I’ve never had an issue using soap as shampoo…but that’s beside the point.

“Lunch? They’ll be out of your system soon.”

I roll onto my side so I can glare at Melissa. “I’m not going.”

She’s on her phone, not even bothering to acknowledge my scowl. “You’ll be fine. Got pills you can take to stop the cramps.”

“Melissa!”

She sighs, puts down her phone. Props herself up on an elbow and stares me down. “You’re not sick. You’re having boy trouble. I knew the moment I walked in.”

“You’re a relationship guru now?”

“See? You’re not denying it.” She falls back and starts texting on her phone again. “You got a dress?”

“No, because I’m not going!”

“I might have something that’ll fit.”

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