Page 2 of Teacher's Pet

"Who are we glaring at?" Megan asks as she joins us, settling into our usual spot under the willow tree outside the creative wing of campus.

Spokehaven is a true architectural marvel.

Years older than most universities, the campus is one massive structure, split into wings, with large glass windows and a gothic aesthetic that gives it a haunting yet majestic charm. It’s the kind of place you can’t help but marvel at, even if you don’t want to.

With its small student population, Spokehaven is as exclusive as they come, reserved mostly for the rich and the future neurosurgeons, the ones with the kind of ambition that doesn’t bother with morals.

My dad used to work here before he got sick, teaching physics. He helped me get my foot in the door, but the deal was clear; I had to stay out of trouble.

If the administration at Spokehaven ever found out what Cole knows, I’d be out on my ass faster than I could blink.

Or worse, I'd end up behind bars.

That’s Cole’s only leverage over me.

And it's my only leverage over him.

What really happened the night I found out about him and Erica?

As much as I want to blame everything on a messy breakup, I know the truth.

It’s not just about that.

Deep down, I’m terrified of what will happen if Cole decides he’s done protecting my secret.

No one will believe me.

No one will believe he was there.

No one will believe he was the one behind the wheel.

It’s his word against mine.

And he knows how much power that gives him.

"No one," I shrug, trying to act casual as if I wasn’t staring at Cole from a distance.

Megan follows the path of my eyes, quickly piecing together who I was really looking for.

"I don’t know why you bother," she mutters, her voice tinged with annoyance. "He’s a cheating bastard."

Elijah, always the one to add his two cents, chimes in, "He’s not exactly someone I’d call fuckable."

If only I were so observant because of jealousy.

I know he saw the same headline I did in Spokehaven’s paper last week. He may act like it doesn’t bother him, but it’s only a matter of time before the cops start sniffing around this campus.

The question is, who will they come for first?

Cole? Or me?

"Trust me," I snap, sliding off the top of the table. "What Cole considers sex is far from fucking."

Cole has tan skin, bright brown eyes, and curly hair that rests on his shoulders. To some, he might look like a perfect candidate for a Nike ad.

But as gorgeous as he is on the outside, the way he treats women in bed is borderline criminal.

His idea of a good time? Head pushing and a hell of a lot of blowjobs.