Page 86 of Cass

Reagan, Skylar, and Aunt Cass look at each other with their mouths wide open in shock. Reagan turns back. “I’m not even joking. Who are you? Where’s Harley?”

“Shut up.” I put my head in my hands. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“Sounds like he came over you, or was it under you?” Skylar is clearly amusing herself.

I give her a nasty look. “The last month has been hell. I lost my father. I have a shell of a mother. I’m about to start a hellish year of studying with no chance at dating. A gorgeous guy wanted me, and I went with it. For the first time in my life, I went with it. It was great. It was more than great. But it’s over now. School starts tomorrow. Back to the grind.”

Reagan rubs my back. “Good. For. You, sis. I’m thrilled for you.”

Aunt Cass grabs all of our hands, looking sad. “I know your mother is a shell of herself right now. She’s only forty-five and she lost the love of her life. Just give her some time. She’ll be back to her old awesome self in no time. I promise.”

I hope she’s right.

* * *

It’s Monday morning. My first day of the second year of medical school. I see my friend Megan when I walk in. “Hey Meg. What class do you have this morning?”

“Hey babe. I have neuro.”

“Me too. Who do you have?”

“I have Dr. Waters.” She scrunches up her nose. “I had him last year too, for anatomy. He’s old as dirt and boring as fuck.” He’s actually only in his forties, but he’s definitely a boring teacher. He’s a little creepy too. He used to stare at me and unnecessarily touch my arm whenever he was near me.

“True, he is a bit dull. I must be in a different section this year. I have the new professor, Dr. Cooper. He’s supposed to be the best spinal surgeon in the country. I heard he’s young, so maybe he’ll be more interesting.”

“I hope so. I’ll see you for lunch?”

I nod. “Yep, see you then.”

I make my way into the classroom. The professor hasn’t arrived yet. I sit front and center, as always. Students are filing in. Though there are plenty of empty seats, two guys sit on either side of me and smile at me. I roll my eyes.

The classroom eventually fills and it’s 8:00, our start time. There’s a faculty only door at the front of the classroom. It opens and a tall man walks through with his head down. He eventually looks up at no one in particular and smiles. “Good morning class. I’m Dr. Cooper.”

Oh my fucking God. It’s Brody. He sets his stuff down and then looks up, right at me. His smile instantly fades and his eyes just about pop out of his head in realization.

I can’t believe this. I had sex with my neuro professor. This is bad. Really bad.