Page 78 of Begrudgingly Yours
Jett hesitates and I can practically hear his alpha inside his chest. I put my hand on his arm, rubbing softly. “It’s okay. I’ll be right back.” I give him my stuff and even though it doesn’t take any more convincing, I know he’s hesitant to let me go over by myself, especially with how horrible our previous rehearsal went.
I don’t admit it, but I’m also uncertain if talking to him alone is a good idea right now. My omega is still sensitive to his proximity, a lot more than I thought she would be. I’m not used to listening to her, but it’s become more and more apparent that she knows what she’s doing. It’s only because we’re surrounded by a class full of peers that I let myself stroll over to the stool he’s sitting on.
“Good afternoon, Professor,” I say with an Oscar-worthy smile on my face.
He looks at me with his full attention, which also never happens. Usually he says things with his face still in whatever book or paperwork that’s in front of him. I give him a curious look.
“Sorry, I’m trying to figure out how to say this,” he explains. I guess he knew he was acting out of character. “I just want to say that I’m sorry.”
My eyeballs nearly poke out of my head. “What?”
“I’msorry. For the way I’ve been treating you during rehearsal. It wasn’t right of me.”
“Oh.” It’s all I can say, because I have no idea what’s happening right now. “I don’t understand.”
“I met your mate the other day. Giant dude, built like a semi-truck.”Everett.“I was intimidated, and thenveryangry that he showed up here and treated me that way, but after he left, I started thinking about it and… he was right. I’ve been unfair to you.”
“Sir,” I start. “I want to be the best actress I can be. I completely understand if I’m not playing the role to the best of my abilities?—”
He cuts me off with a shake of his head. “No.You’re playing Juliet fine. It’sme. I’ve been unfair. I’ve struggled in the past, in my directing and writing career, because I couldn’t see outside of the designation stereotypes. I didn’t think it waspossible, or realistic, for characters to not reflect their designations to a T. It’s just not something I’ve thought about much, even after I was told to broaden my horizons… by professionals, by my bosses… I always just thought it was an authority thing, that they felt like they knew better than me, and that hurt my pride a little bit. But your mate isn’t above me here, he isn’t even my student. He just cares about you, so something about that made me realize I’ve been harsh. And insanely unprofessional.” He huffs out a rough breath. “Even Jett has told me time and time again to lay off, but I didn’t want my student telling me what to do.”
I fling my head in the direction where Jett is sitting. He’s watching intently, waiting for any signal that he should step in. It makes my stomach flutter.
“I’ll do better, okay?” he continues, pulling my attention back to him. “And if I overstep again, you can tell me. For real this time. I’m realizing now that we can both teach each other things. It’s not a one-way street.”
I’m stunned, but something inside of me feels lighter. “Thank you, Professor.”
He shakes his head and for the first time, I see a smile on his face. “There’s no need for any thanks. I should have realized this a long time ago. I appreciate your alpha coming to talk with me, because I needed the wake-up call.” He sees the smile on my face and adds, “You have a wonderful mate there, Rory.”
Yeah, I do. I really,reallydo.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Dax (3:45 pm):Dystopian movie marathon tonight!
Everett (3:47 pm): I’ll stop and get popcorn then
Dax (3:47 pm): The extra buttery ones?
Everett (3:48 pm): I know which ones you like
Rory (3:49 pm): and the ones made with avocado oil!
Everett (3:50 pm):
Jett (3:51 pm): which movies tho
Rory (3:52 pm): The Host better be on there
Jett (3:52 pm): The Host?
Rory (3:54 pm): The book was incredible and it’s nostalgic to me.
Dax (3:55 pm): I’m rentingit right now
Jett (3:56 pm): You better rent Mad Max, too
Everett (3:58 pm): I second that. I’d like to watch Mad Max.
