Page 51 of Private Tutoring
She nodded once, the movement jerky. “I’m fine.” With that, she bolted from the room.
An empty feeling settled in my stomach. I tried to ignore it, but the push and pull of anger and fear refused to budge.
I backtracked to my office and closed the door. I’d have to tell Stephen and Roberto what happened. Even though Leighona claimed she was joking, I didn’t care for the way she’d looked at Harmony. The two were sorority sisters, and it was natural for there to be some jealousy since Harmony was Leighona’s understudy.
How much of what happened was jealousy, and how far was Leighona willing to take her animosity?
She could report us to the dean, but no one had any proof of Leighona’s claims.
I strode across the room to my wall of pictures. They marched in an odd stack of lines that showcased my entire career. Years and years of memories stared back at me, all the way back to the time when I attended college with Stephen and Roberto. I’d been the studious nerd who loved Broadway and show tunes. I’d been the one dragging them to plays andmusicals and trying to show them culture as I knew it. It was a miracle we’d gone from college roommates to friends. We were all so different that it made no sense we’d remain so close after all these years.
I did not want to lose that. I also did not want to lose Harmony.
God, it was all such a mess. I rubbed my thumb across my forehead, easing the ache.
Harmony had every reason to run away from us. We were a huge risk to her scholarship, to her career. I wouldn’t blame her if she never spoke to any of us again.
Did I try to change her mind if she made that decision, or did I let her go because it was what she wanted?
Even though I loved her, could I let her go?
I would have to…because I loved her.
25
HARMONY
What had I done? Hours after I raced from the theater amid Leighona’s taunts and accusations, I still wasn’t sure I’d made the right call.
Except I had. Leighona might be my blackmailer, and I couldn’t risk letting her figure out that she’d told the whole class the truth about me and Matthew.
My heart ached every time I remembered the look on his face. Devastation. Mine had probably looked the same, though I’d done everything in my power to keep it controlled. I had to end things. That was the only way to make sure nothing came of Leighona’s accusations. I had no idea how far Leighona was willing to go to keep her role as Cosette, but the way she’d thrown me under the bus was a clear indication that she wouldn’t hold back…even if I was the better candidate for the lead role.
My phone pinged, and I stopped my headlong dive into misery long enough to check the screen. Another unknown number. Heart in my throat, I opened the text message, fully expecting another horrific text.
We need to talk.The signature line beneath had Matthew’s name, and my breath whooshed out. Another message appeared before I had a chance to answer the first.I’m sorry for how Leighona acted, and for pulling your number from your student file. Will you meet us at the penthouse tonight?
Would I? Every part of me longed to be with them again, to allow them to comfort me and tell me everything would be okay. It wouldn’t. Once they knew the accusations were out there, it was all over. The risk amplified with every meeting.
My thumbs skated over the keys, and a single word emerged.No.
Too harsh. They had been kind to me, trusting me with their careers and their affection. They deserved a reason, even if it was more of an excuse than a legitimate reason for my absence.
I tapped the button to call Matthew instead and waited with bated breath.
He answered in a rush. “Harmony, are you okay? What’s going on?”
“I’m sorry. Tell everyone I’m sorry. I can’t make it tonight. I need to study for a test tomorrow.” Not a lie. “And I need to try and smooth things over with Leighona.” Still true. What I didn’t say was how much it broke my heart to be away from them. Or that I knew once I stepped foot in their house, I’d lose all sense and let them talk me into anything. Self-preservation kicked in, allowing the warning to build in my mind until my willpower strengthened.
One step into their penthouse and I’d fall into their arms.
“I’ll see you in class tomorrow?” Matthew asked.
I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “Yes. I won’t skip class.”
That was the last thing I should do, and I was determined to keep going even if it killed me. Leighona had called me out,but without any proof, there was no reason for me to hide in my room and refuse to go to class.
“Okay.” Matthew sounded haggard, and the roughness in his voice reminded me of our many late nights together. “Goodnight, Harmony.”
