AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Then why did you ask me if that’s all it was?” I pull back, angry again. “In your elevator, you asked me if that’s all you were to me, someone who you could command to fuck you whenever you wanted. Why bait me then? That’s cruel.”
“It wasn’t to bait you. I knew I was falling for you. I wanted to know that you were too. It is cruel, you’re right.” He releases my arms, standing up. “I’m fucked up and coldhearted. I was beyond selfish in this exchange, Presley.” His face hardens, like his walls are going back up. “I used you; that’s the bottom line. I wanted to be more to you than just a physical release. I wanted you to need me, crave me, and I wanted to be the only man who could satisfy those needs.”
“But you didn’t want to feel anything?”
He nods his head yes, and it feels like my heart is being destroyed. “I thought I could remain unattached. I won’t lie to you and say that’s what happened. We both know that, but I’m also not going to pretend that my feelings make all the other shit disappear. This is what I mean, you don’t want a man like me; you deserve someone far better.”
I roll my eyes. “That is such a cop-out. If you think I deserve a better man, then be that better man. It’s that simple.”
“I wish it was.”
“So what was your end game in all this? Seriously, what did you think was going to happen? That you were going to fire me from being your publicist after I graduate so then you could just wash your hands of me and walk away?”
“No, Presley.” Anger flashes through his eyes. “I didn’t and don’t want to hurt you. I wanted you to see through me. I was a coward and should have been honest with you, but I wanted you to see that you can find someone like me but better, younger, who can make you happy.”
“Let me guess. Forrest? The guy you constantly teased me about, then would get jealous at the mere mention of him?” I laugh, dropping my head in my hands. “I was such a fool. This is so messed up.” I stand up and walk over to the front door, opening it. “Please leave.”
“Presley, I’m sorry. Truly.”
“Now,” I say coldly. He walks over and puts on his shoes, sliding his coat on his arms. He turns to look at me one last time as he walks through the doorway. “You’re not the man I thought you were, and congrats, you not only proved that you are exactly like the men you pretend to be better than, but you’re also the first man to break my heart and teach me a very valuable lesson about what my self-worth is.”
I don’t wait for a response. I slam the door in his face and lock it behind him. I press my back to it, a flood of tears ready to burst through at any second as I slowly sink down to the floor.
As much as I want to hate him and as angry and hurt as I am, I cling to the hope that maybe he’ll realize what he just lost and come running back to me.
Chapter 25
Cyrus
One Month Later…
“I want to take a moment to thank each of you students for this last semester. In truth, I did not want to teach this class… at all.” A few chuckles echo through the room as I sit on the edge of the desk, my eyes falling on Presley whose mouth is turned into a slight upward smile.
We haven’t spoken since that night at her apartment, at least not outside of a few words here and there regarding this class or work.
“But I have learned a lot from this class. It’s also been refreshing to hear from the younger generation. I have every confidence in each of you—some of you more than others.” The class laughs again. “And on that note, since you all handed in your final when you walked in”—I hold up the stack of reports that the students wrote—“you are free to leave. Congrats to those of you graduating in a few weeks.”
The assignment was one question. After this semester, what does ethics mean to you? There was no minimum word requirement, no expectations other than I wanted them to think through every discussion we had, every scenario we worked through, and to figure out for themselves what that ideology means to them.
“Thanks, Professor Gates,” a few students shout as they leave.
“It was amazing to have you as a professor.” Forrest stops at my desk, extending his hand toward me.
“Thank you, Forrest,” I say, shaking his hand. I glance over his shoulder as Presley walks by.
“Oh, Pres”—he turns to face her—“I have to change the plans a little tonight. Is it cool if I pick you up at eight instead of seven? My mom needs help with some furniture delivery thing.”
“Yeah, of course.” She nods, clearly trying not to make eye contact with me.
“Cool. Anyway, Professor, it’s been real,” he says before turning to half jog out of the classroom.
“Miss James,” I call after her and she freezes, turning back around to walk toward me. “I wanted to thank you, for everything. That speech was mostly directed toward you.” She clutches her bag on her shoulder tightly. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay, good actually.” She smiles and it gives me a bit of relief. I glance around the room. The two remaining students file out silently. “Is there anything else?”
I want to tell her yes, that I take it all back, that I’m a fool, and then pull her into my arms. “So, you and Forrest, huh?”
She shrugs. “Yeah, I guess.”
