Page 62 of Make Me Scream

“I get what you’re trying to do, but I’d be in your debt. Even if you never asked for a single cent, I’d still feel like I owed you.”

“Gwen-”

“And it would put me in a position where I’d feel obligated to do whatever you say regarding my art. I want to learn from you but I need to be able to push back if something doesn’t feel right. How can I do that if you’re paying my way? Or if I think you could cut me off if we have a disagreement?”

Lane glowers.

“Mundell does shit like that. I would never.”

“Maybe. I hope not, but how will I know for sure? And assuming we don’t have an issue, what if word got around about what you’re doing? Sleeping with a student and paying her way through art school? How would that look?”

“Who cares what they think?”

“Don’t you? I thought you liked your job. You think Mundell will be thrilled that one of his teachers is paying to send a former student to another school?”

“He won’t care about that. He’ll be pissed that you didn’t give him what he wants.”

Hmm.

I suppose. Lane would know Mundell’s motivations best.

“For what it’s worth, I would support you unconditionally,” Lane says. “I’d put it in writing, make it legally binding. You wouldn’t have to worry. Or, if you wanted to repay me because you didn’t want to be in debt, I’d make it an interest-free loan, with no payment deadlines.”

He’s got it all figured out, doesn’t he?

“You’re making this sound too good to be true. Why? If I have to handle Mundell myself, I will. I’m an adult. I’m prepared to stand up for myself.”

Lane takes out his phone and pulls up a photo album of him and Mundell. He scrolls along for screen after screen.

“When I enrolled at Mundell Academy years ago, Rush took me under his wing. He elevated my work, like he’s doing for Joel. At the time I thought it was because he believed in my talent, that he wanted me to represent the school and live up to its prestige.”

This can’t be heading anywhere good. So, what does that mean for Joel?

“I wasn’t wrong, but Rush saw in me a chance to fulfill an obligation. Mundell Academy has belonged to his family for generations, but he doesn’t have any children of his own. He needs an heir — an acolyte, someone who he could imprint his views onto and thus leave the academy in safe hands. For a while, he thought it would be me. He introduced me to everyone in his circles, he put me on a tenure track at the school. He made me influential, and sought-after. But when he disparaged my true artistic passions, I made it clear that I’m not looking to be his spiritual successor.”

Wow.

To turn down that kind of wealth, and a position most can only dream about… I’m not sure I would have had the strength. Granted, it probably helped that he’s already from a rich family. It’s a lot easier to hold to one’s convictions when money isn’t an issue.

“I’m surprised he didn’t fire you.”

“He kinda couldn’t,” Lane says. “He’d already made me a star in his world. To reverse course after investing so much into me, it wouldn’t have served his purposes. Better to remain friends and colleagues, keep it all amicable.”

“That’s crazy,” I say, rising up onto my knees. “Did you think about taking the position and then, like, changing the school to be more receptive to modern art?”

Lane chuckles.

“I probably should have. At the time, I still considered Rush my friend. I didn’t want to betray his trust like that. Plus, I think that would have driven Mundell into the ground. Regardless of what we think about his school, it is highly successful. For a new director to take over and start changing things based on their personal preferences… that’s a great way to decimate an institution.”

“Or keep it from getting stuck in the past,” I say.

“Being stuck in the past works for Mundell. Most of his students find their way into art as a profession, others stay in academia. Occasionally, one goes on to become one of the top talents of their generation. Even the ones who drop out can still claim they studied at Mundell.”

I grin. I’d definitely put it on my resume, for sure, even if I don’t graduate here.

“Okay. Regardless. How do I get Rush off my case?”

Taking my hands, Lane stands up and pulls me to my feet.

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