Page 44 of Love, In Balance

I’m not easily intimidated, but this fucking guy. There’s just something about him. The way he invades personal space, just like that day at Drews with Lista.

I make the conscious effort to move backwards, despite there being limited space.

“Listen Quin. I’ve known Lista for a while longer than you and I know what she needs. I see the way you are with her. Following her and appearing at her rescue when she’s struggling. I see your littleschemes”. The fucking nerve on this man.

He continues, although his words are not welcome.

“Becoming her advisor suddenly. Spending more time with her and now you’re having yourstudy dates” he says condescendingly, using his fingers as quotation marks. He’s such a condescending piece of shit.

I have no idea how he got a job working in education.

He still has the nerve to continue, adding a threat this time.

“Getting a student into bed probably isn’t going to look so good for you should itget out” he says with a mischievous smile. “And me and Lista have something between us. Everyone knows it, and you of all people aren’t going to get in the way. So, stay clear of her, otherwise I’ll be making sure the faculty staff know your little fucking games with students. And for good measure I could also mention you being a littletooinvolved in her research. You know, I guess she’ll find it easier by sleeping her way through academia. I’m sure Professor Peters would be interested in that” he says, finishing his speech off with a rough poke to my shoulder, before promptly walking out of the room.

I’m speechless.

I didn’t get a chance to defend myself against Pierce this morning, and since then I’ve had back-to-back lectures with little room for conversation.

He’s been in and out of my lecture theatre throughout the day. It’s almost as if he’s keeping a check on me.

What he said made no sense. He’s fucking sadistic.

I knew he was after Lista. I saw it that day in the car park, and at Drew and Oli’s game night too.

What difference would it make, her being with him? He’s a member of staff too. These thoughts spiral dangerously in my mind and I’m a mess.

I keep slipping up whilst presenting, and things get even worse when Lista joins my afternoon session.

She walks in glowing, as gorgeous as ever. Notebook in hand and a smile plastered on her face as she looks over at me. In that moment, I realise how important her career is to her. I remember the conversation she had with the students at the faculty social. She was so devastated about the comments made by the prospective students about her relationships with members of staff.

She works so hard in this male dominated industry and the last thing she needs is people assuming she is only where she is because of the men in her life. I smile slightly back at her, although it’s pained.

I thought things would be ok after this morning, wrapped around Lista, but now I’m not so sure.

Chapter

13

Lista

Playlist:‘Like a fool’- Kiera Knightley (Begin again) soundtrack

I’m not sure if it’s just my overthinking, but Quin seems off. His smile wasn’t right when I first walked into the lecture room, and he’s rarely looked over at me.

Not that I always expect his eyes on me, but it seems as though he’s actively avoiding me. Or it’s just me. I’m probably just reading him wrong after what happened between us.

I need to stop assuming the worst. It’s often not the case.

I won’t lie, whenever I watch him speak, I find myself lost to the sight of his lips moving, imagining them on mine like they were again this morning.

He stutters a few times throughout the start of the lecture, but continues strong, as always. He seems tense. Like he’s got something weighing on his mind. I’m hoping it’s not me. He’s collared a few students who spoke over him, and he’s seemingly less forgiving than usual. He’s raised his voice and reminded everyone of his rules. I’ve never seen him like this.

He ends the lesson, and I’m looking forward to catching up.

I need to plan my next session with him too, so I’m definitelyusing that as an excuse to speak to him, despite feeling like It’d be a better idea to leave him be.

“Quin, great session. Can I catch you quickly in a moment?” I ask as people are still getting up and leaving.

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