Page 128 of Rear View
I snickered. “I would hope not.”
She smiled. “Just had to be clear.” She gave me a quick kiss, then waved to Z as the two of us hurried across campus.
“I miss your face around the apartment, girl,” Zoya said. “It’s so quiet without you.”
“Miss you too. At least you’ll have privacy to bring someone over whenever you want.”
“I already have.”
“Wow. Didn’t even wait for my grave to cool.”
She grinned, all giddiness and teeth.
Rolling my eyes in mock incredulity, I asked, “Was it that Andrea girl you mentioned?”
“Nope. She’s too violent. Did I tell you she liked to throw axes?”
My snicker morphed to a cackle. “Are you coming to the race this weekend?”
“Of course! I’ve gotta take my own car, though. What is it, an hour out of town?”
I nodded.
“Mom’s complaining I haven’t been by in a while, so I might have to skip the after-party. I promised I’d visit that night.” She tugged her scarf tighter. “Did you end up talking to Stan?” she asked, pivoting the conversation hard.
The shake of my head was sharp. “No. The way he’s pressing is totally weirding me out.” A lot. I didn’t like it or his timing. It felt…suspicious.
Her face scrunched. “I don’t know. Everyone’s dangerous to you, which,” she raised her arms, palms out,“fair. But your radar for this kinda thing is off and I’m not getting a bad vibe. I think you should chat with him. See what’s up. I can be there if you want.”
I frowned, considering. “Leave it with me.” Pulling out my phone, I brought up the email I’d typed the night before and shoved it under her face. “Read this.”
She squinted down as she scanned it. And scanned it. And scanned it. The further she went, the more her eyes bulged. “Holy crap balls! You actually sent this to the dean of psych?”
“Sure did.”
“It’s really well written, Ry. The complaint’s perfectly outlined.” Her gaze lifted to mine. “You know Barlowe will be told, though, right?”
“I know.” I swallowed hard, because, no matter how good it’d felt to write, the reality of what it meant was daunting. “But it needs to be done.”
She handed the device back. “Good for you.”
“Thanks.”
Barlowe cut into my path, bringing me up short. My spine went rigid as I braced myself.
“You haven’t responded to my email about our meeting, Miss Nolan.”
My heart rate spiked, and I took a step back. Soooo, he clearly hadn’t been spoken to yet. Awesome. The hardening of my stomach almost hurt.
Stand tall, Ryah.
I cleared my throat. “That’s because I’m no longer interested in meeting with you, Professor.”
Zoya’s head volleyed between us, her gaze eager like she itched for a bowl of popcorn.
He eyed me. Hard. “I cannot stress how unwise that decision is.”
That fear from moments earlier faded like smoke on an angry wind and I scowled. He’d done it subtly, but he’d thrown his weight around and abused his position with me long enough. I was done. So long past done.
