I smiled. Of course. My favorite student, Jennie, who couldn’t bully me into giving her an easy A. Jennie who wanted all of my attention, and when I refused to fall for her silly nonsense, she was trying to get back at me by hurting Tessa. It still didn’t answer all of my questions. How did Jennie gu
ess?
“An immature, spoiled student who is angry because I wouldn’t let her skip an assignment she felt was too hard has made these accusations.” I stopped. “They are only accusations, you realize. There are no charges here, let’s get that cleared up.” The dean looked uncomfortable. “You are telling me, that you have already made decisions about my future and the future of another student because of one young girl’s accusations? Is this correct?”
At first, it looked as if Dean Scribbs would back down, and then she leaned forward. “Are you admitting to having a sexual relationship with Miss McShane?”
I shrugged. “I don’t think who I have sex with is any of your business. I asked you a question. Can you or will you answer?”
Spots of red bloomed on each of her cheeks. She was getting pissed. Good. I was already very pissed. “I don’t need to ask you anything. It is quite clear the accusation was dead on. You are a professional, Mr. Dunlap. We hold our professors to a much higher standard. I’m quite disappointed in your behavior,” she said, in a haughty tone.
I guffawed. “Are you? I’m quite disappointed with the way you handle yourself and your student body. Where’s the investigation? Who’s verifying what Jennie told you? We haven’t had class for two days, so when was this accusation made? I have a lot of questions that I expect answers to.”
She glared at me. “This meeting is over. You have the day off. Your classes have been canceled.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Professor Dunlap. Your students have been alerted that there will be no class today. I need time to handle the mess you have created. I suggest you go home and get your head on straight. Sleeping with a student is despicable.”
I stood, and narrowed my gaze at her. “You can’t expel Tessa; you know that.”
“Yes, I can. Quite easily, really.”
“No. That is completely unfair.”
An evil smile spread her lips to the point they were an ugly white. “I should think this will be an excellent life lesson for the young lady. You can’t sleep your way to the top and not expect there to be consequences. Tessa is expelled. There is nothing you can do or say that will change that.”
I turned to leave. I wanted to knock the bitch out. I wasn’t prone to violence, but in this one instant, I really want to slap that grotesque smile off her face.
“Professor Dunlap?”
I stopped and turned to look at her. “Keep your dick in your pants and out of my students if you will. Thank you.”
My eyes widened with shock at her vulgarity. I considered telling her to go fuck herself but thought better of it. I didn’t want to make anything worse for Tessa. I had already cost her too much.
I took a deep breath and made my way outside. I needed to call Tessa and let her know what was coming. How was I going to tell her? This was going to crush her. I loved her. I knew I loved her and I was more than willing to sacrifice my job, but she needed this degree.
I fished my phone out of the pocket of my slacks and quickly pulled up her number. She didn’t answer. I couldn’t bring myself to leave her a voicemail. I sent her a quick text instead.
We need to talk. Call me ASAP.
I held the phone in my hand, waiting for her to call or at the very least, text me back. By the time I reached my car, she still hadn’t done either. Maybe she already knew. She was probably pissed and wanted nothing to do with me.
I got in my car and sat there, processing everything. What the fuck! After the best two days of my life, how could everything blow up in a matter of minutes? It wasn’t right.
Still holding my phone, I called Jake.
“Dude, I fucked up,” I said, the second he answered.
“What? What did you do? Do you need a lawyer?”
I had to laugh at his instant response to come bail me out of jail.
“No. At least I don’t think so. Tessa and I got busted. She’s going to be expelled, or maybe she already got expelled. I don’t know; she isn’t answering my calls.”
“What about you?” he asked.
“The dean sent me home and said I won’t be needed after next semester. Can you believe that shit? She wants me to keep teaching, but expelled Tessa!”