Page 51 of Kismet

“Like ended it… or ended it, ended it?” She waggles her brows at me suggestively.

“I don’t know what you mean by either of those, Ky. But it’s over. Done.”

“Yeah, but are you still boinking?”

“Kylie Ann.You are the only person in their late twenties that I have ever met that says ‘boinking.’ And no, we broke up.”

“Not even one last time before you go?”

“No, girl. Damn.” I throw the shirt I’m folding at her head, laughing at her ridiculousness.

She brings Houston in her lap, petting him, while he purrs loudly. “Seriously, though. I’m going to miss you guys.”

“We’ll still talk. We’re just actual adults now, getting actual adult jobs.”

“I know. Who are we?”

She helps me fold the rest of my clothes and load the remainder of the boxes, and when Xander returns with our food, we all eat together in my room. It’s surreal that this is the last time the three of us will be together in this house. They’ve become like family to me over the past five years.

All my hometown friends have long since graduated and started their own lives.

It left me here, in Pullman, by myself. So, Xander and Kylie really are like my only family in the area. Now I’m going to be starting over in a new city after this week. I don’t know anyone there, and while it’s exhilarating to start over and know I can be whoever I want, it’s also terrifying.

I’m taking three days to drive there. That’ll put me in Lubbock by Saturday, and I thankfully start my very first teaching job on Monday. Well, I won’t be teaching for another whole week, but I’ll be getting situated there and doing their mandatory training classes.

By the time Kylie leaves and I climb into bed, it’s after eleven. I should’ve gone to bed hours ago, but I couldn’t bring myself to say bye to her yet. My alarm is set for five-fifteen in the morning. I want to be able to shower and stop for coffee before heading out of town. The next three days are going to be brutal… and boring.

Chapter Seventeen

Cash DeMarco

Monday at seven in the morning came way too damn soon. I just parked my car outside of the University, getting ready to head inside and figure out where I need to go. I’ve been up since five—I took advantage of the campus aquatic center. Getting in a morning workout before getting ready for work. It’s nice starting my day in the water. I haven’t swum in entirely too long. I was way too busy getting my PhD done that I hardly ever had morning swims over the last few years I was in Washington.

Grabbing my black leather briefcase and my coffee cup, I get out of the car, locking it, and making my way inside. Since I got here on Saturday, I haven’t had a single moment to tour the campus or figure out where I’m going yet. Luckily, it looks like the office is pretty easily located, but as far as where my classroom will be, I’m fucking clueless.

There aren’t any students on campus yet. Classes don’t officially start until next Monday. Pulling open the main doors, I make my way into the building. All colleges—or schools in general, really—have that same aroma to them, like floor cleaner and academic tears. This one is no different. The office is at the very end of this hall, and when I walk in, a chipper looking blonde woman, who looks to be about twenty, smiles at me from behind the desk. Her name plaque says Tiffany.

“Good morning, darlin’. How can I help you?”

“Hey, good morning. I’m Cash DeMarco. It’s my first day today.”

“Oh, yes! Nice to meet you, Mr. DeMarco. I’m Tiffany. If you want to have a seat, I’ll go grab Janet for you. I believe she’s who you’ve been corresponding with regarding your position.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

I’ve barely sat down before a middle-aged woman with a library bun waltzes out with a giant smile plastered on her face. “You must be Mr. DeMarco?”

“Yes, hi. Janet?” I ask, shaking her hand.

“That’s me. It’s so great to meet you. Come, we can get your paperwork situated, and then I can show you around the campus, including your classroom.”

“Sounds great. Lead the way.”

We head down the skinny walkway to an office that’s four doors down on the left. Her office is bright and smells like lemons. It’s warm, and she has pictures in frames scattered around the room. I take a seat in front of her desk as she takes her seat behind the desk.

“We’re so pleased to have you join our faculty, Mr. DeMarco.”

“Well, thank you. I’m very excited to be here. And please, call me Cash.”

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