Page 50 of Private Tutoring
“Excellent.” I stood and clapped. She deserved the praise. I’d done the same for every leading role that excelled in this room.
Damien and the others clapped along with me. A few of them whistled. Damien rushed across the stage and grabbed Harmonyaround the waist. He whirled her around and around, laughing with every spin.
Harmony threw her head back and laughed along with him, then slapped his shoulders. “Put me down, I’m getting dizzy.”
Damien lowered her to the stage, and it was all I could do not to take his place.
“Great job, everyone. Rest up, we’ll start over again tomorrow.” I turned to head into my office.
A tingle of awareness burned the back of my neck. I didn’t understand it, but I followed it, turning to take in the students on the stage.
Leighona had sat on the stool the entire practice, but she stood and stalked toward Harmony. Her smile looked pleasant enough, but the hardness in her eyes was a harsh contradiction. “Wow, Harmony. I didn’t know you had all that in you.”
Harmony shifted her weight, half turning to face Leighona. “Thanks. It’s all because of you. And I really hope you don’t think I’m trying to replace you. I would never.” The hand she put over her heart didn’t shake and neither did her voice.
Unlike Leighona, she meant every word.
“I appreciate that.” Leighona chuckled darkly. “Otherwise, I might think you were sleeping with Professor Bellington.”
“What?” Harmony’s voice shot up a full octave.
“Oh, come on.” Leighona rolled her eyes. “I’m just kidding. I mean, sleeping with Professor Bellington might get you the lead role, but it won’t get you onto Broadway. You have to have actual talent for that.”
“Harmony has talent.” Damien planted his hands on his hips. He stood behind Harmony, but he moved beside her in a single stride.
Thank God for the kid making a move before I did. If I stepped up on that stage, I’d be more likely to make things worse.
“I know she does.” Leighona tried to scoff, but her voice failed her. “But sleeping with the professor is a good way to take the show away from me.”
“That’s enough,” I barked out the order, and the room went silent. I climbed the steps one by one, taking my time and forcing them to wait. “That is not something to joke about. It’s the kind of lackadaisical remark that starts rumors and gets people fired. Is that what you want? Do you want me fired and Harmony kicked out of college because your feelings are hurt?”
Too far. I’d taken it too far. Then again, I would say the same thing if it was anyone else being accused. This wasn’t the first time someone hadjokedabout sleeping with me. Stephen, Roberto, and I all had our fair share of rumors. Thank fuck the dean always saw through them.
This time, however, the truth was too close to the surface, too close to being uncovered.
I did my best to react the way I would for any other student.
Leighona raised her chin, that stubborn defiance on full display. “I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“I’m sure you didn’t. But you need to understand that actions have consequences. Not only have you hurt Harmony, but you’ve hurt the trust between all of us.” I let that sink in.
Maybe they were smart enough to understand. Maybe not. But I had to try and diffuse the situation while also making it clear that they needed to keep their mouths shut.
“Accusations are to be taken to the dean. If you have a complaint about me giving you a break so you can rest your voice, you can lodge that complaint with me and the dean. But you will not, even jokingly, accuse any student of gaining favors through sex.” I pointed at each and every student, even Harmony. “That goes for all of you.”
Harmony’s eyes glazed, but no tears fell. She shifted between staring at Leighona and me.
“Dude, way to crush it.” Damien held out a fist toward me. “That’s the most epic speech ever.”
I ignored the fist bump. “Does anyone have any questions?” I locked eyes with Harmony, hoping to comfort her.
The urge to step into her space and take her in my arms sent my hands into my pockets before I did something foolish. No touching. If I touched her, I’d lose control. Then it wouldn’t be a joke. They’d all know the truth.
“No.” The chorus of denials rang out, and I dismissed them once more with a wave.
Harmony lingered an instant longer than the others.
“Are you okay?” I pitched my voice low while staying well away from her.
