Secrets Embraced (Silver Valley University #3), page 34
“We may be whores, but at least we’re getting some.” Rain smirks, holding her hand out in front of her and bowing. “Pft.” Karen gasps before making this weird noise in the back of her throat. “Oh, and her last name is Tatum, you evil witch.” Rain grins before grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the room away from a very pissed off Karen.
“We’re gonna get kicked out of that class,” I tell Rain.
“Good, I can’t stand the bitch anyways.” Rain snorts out a laugh. “It was so worth it, did you see her face?”
“Yeah, that was awesome.” We both burst out laughing as we head to the dining hall.
“HOW WAS YOUR DAY, MY love?.” Theo asks, pulling me into his arms when I get home from school.
“Oh, I’ll tell you how it was,” Rain says, not giving me a chance to talk. “That bitch Karen fucked with her work, again!”
“What?” Theo asks, looking down at me with furrowed brows. “How often has she done this?”
“Enough to affect my grade,” I sigh.
“Ellie, if she really is messing with your stuff, we should go to the dean,” he tells me.
“What do you mean if she really is?” I ask, taking a step out of his arms.
“To accuse a professor of tampering with a student’s work and grades is a very big deal. They could lose their job. There have been students who have lied because they had an issue with their professor and got them blacklisted. It’s not something to take lightly.”
Rain goes to open her mouth, but I hold my hand up. I know Theo isn’t saying this to be mean, but I do have something to say on this matter. “There is no accusing her of anything. I’m not one of those students. I know what she’s doing and why. She doesn’t have to like me, but that doesn’t give her the right to mess with my education. I know this isn’t something to take lightly, and if it was just an assignment or two, I wouldn’t have thought much about it. But Theo, I should be getting at least a ninety-five percent average in that class, and I’m sitting at sixty. I’m not saying things that aren’t true. You saw how she was with me the other week. You know she hates me.”
“I’m not saying you’re lying, love, never. I’m just–”
“I don’t wanna hear it,” I snap, cutting him off, and his eyes go wide. “Look, I know you wanna see the best in everyone, but sometimes people are just shitty humans. Trust me, I should know. Karen is a manipulative person with an agenda. It’s time to see it for what it really is. I don’t care that you have some crazy bitch after you, I’m dealing with Chase’s just fine.”
“Sorry about that, baby!” Chase calls out from his spot at the island, where my other guys are watching this interaction.
Ignoring him, I continue, “But it’s how you deal with it that’s bothering me. He got a restraining order on Kayla. What are you gonna do about Karen?”
“I can talk to her, tell her to leave you alone,” he offers.
“No.” I shake my head. “That’s not going to work with someone like her. She will see it as a challenge.”
“Then what do you want me to do?” he asks helplessly.
“Be on my side. Support me if I choose to go to the dean and report her.”
“Of course I would,” Theo says with passion. “I’m always on your side, Ellie. Always.”
“Good,” I say, tears forming in my eyes. “Because it would break me if you weren’t.”
He pulls me into his arms, holding me close to his body. Burying my face in his chest, I take in the warmth of his body. “I love you so much, Ellie. And I’m sorry that life won’t cut you a break. But I’m here, by your side. But if you’re going to go to the dean, you’re going to need proof. Print out all the emails you sent of your school work with the recorded times and dates. It might not be much, but it’s something.”
“Thank you.”
“I don’t know how, but I’m gonna find a way to fix this, Ellie. I promise.”
“I’m gonna go lie down. I’m over today,” I say, not bothering to acknowledge the others. I just need some ‘me’ time and space.
The old Ellie would be losing her ever-loving-mind if her education was being messed with like this. But after everything I’ve been through, I’ve learned to pick my battles. And this might be one I’m willing to go to war for. If not for me, but for future students that could be affected, those who may not have the ability or finances to repeat a class.
Grabbing my phone, I open my group video chat with my friends. Waiting for them to answer, I lay back on my bed, letting out an exhausted sigh.
“Hey, bitch, what’s up?” Val says, popping up first.
“What are you doing?” I ask Val when I see her red face. She sounds out of breath.
“I think you mean who am I doing?” she grins.
My eyes widen. “Oh my god, were you just having sex?!”
“Chill, babe, they’re gone. We’re good.”
“Hey, E.” Lexie is the next one to show up. “Val, why does it look like you’ve been working out?”
“Oh, she’s been working out alright.” I giggle.
“Ewww,” Lexie says, scrunching up her nose. “I so don’t want any details.”
Val snorts. “You act like you have a choice.”
“What is going on?” Tabitha asks, joining the chat.
“Val was just having sex,” Lexie answers.
“What the fuck,” Cooper says, his face appearing as well. “So you thought we should video chat about it? Look, girl, I’m all about talking about good dick, but this is a bit much.”
“No.” I laugh. “I made the video call.”
“Oh,” Cooper says. “What’s up?”
So I tell them about Karen and all the bullshit she’s put me through lately. By the end of it, I’m laughing so hard and feeling a lot better. Sometimes a girl just needs her besties.
AFTER A NIGHT TO MYSELF, I felt better about facing the day ahead. I’m still bothered by the whole thing, but there’s not much I can do about it. So I’m not going to let the stress eat away at me.
Theo looks so guilty, and now that I’ve had time to calm down, I feel bad. He didn’t ask for this person to be the way she is towards him. So, to make sure he knew I wasn’t holding anything against him, I made a few of his favorite pies. It was supposed to be for Thanksgiving supper tonight, but we ended up eating one of them last night. Well, I ended up taking a slice, and then everyone copied me. Worth it.
“Is she sure she didn’t want us to bring anything?” I ask Theo as we park the car in his parents’ restaurant parking lot.
“She said just to bring ourselves. Trust me, I’ve asked more than once, insisted we bring something, but she said she was going to do everything.”
“At least we have the pies,” I tell him. “We should have come earlier, I could have at least helped out.”
Walking into the building, I smile as I’m hit with all the amazing smells of a traditional Thanksgiving supper. I’ve been craving turkey and potatoes smothered in gravy all weekend.
The smile doesn’t stay in place for very long because a face I know all too well and have come to hate walks out of the back kitchen, carrying food and laughing as Theo’s mother follows behind her.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” I growl with way more anger than I’m used to while looking up at a very shocked Theo.
“I didn’t know they were coming. I swear,” he defends, his eyes pleading with me to believe him.
“I would like to go home,” I tell him as the others come in from right behind us.
“What? Why?” Brody asks as he comes to stand next to me. He looks at me, then over to Karen, who is carrying some food over to the table.
“Hey, you guys!” Theo’s mom greets, coming over to us with a bright smile. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Mom, what are they doing here?” Theo hisses.
“What?” His mom’s face drops. “Oh, I invited them. They were going to be alone this year, so I told them we had plenty to eat and to come here. Why?” she looks between the two of us. “What’s wrong?”
“I should have told you sooner, but we’ve been having some issues with Karen. It seems like she hasn’t grown up much since high school.”
“Oh dear,” her eyes widen, looking at me. “I’m so sorry, honey, I didn’t know.”
“I know you didn’t.” I force a smile. “Look, it’s fine, we’ll stay on one side of the table, and she can stay on the other. We’ll eat, talk, and maybe the night won’t be so bad.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.”
“I’m sure,” I lie. I really wanna say ‘fuck it’ and leave, but this woman has done so much for me and my daughter. I would feel awful if we just turned around and left. So, I’ll be the bigger person and stay... for now. But the moment she starts shit, and I know she will, I’m leaving. I don’t care.
“Alright,” Theo’s dad says as he and Karen’s dad bring out the last bit of food. “Let’s eat!”
Theo’s mom heads over to the table, taking a seat next to her husband calling the kids to come sit by her.
“Ellie,” Brody grumbles. “I know I’m trying to be a good boy and all that bullshit to show you I’m not a complete asshole, but if this bitch opens her mouth, I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold back.”
“Same,” Rain agrees, glaring at Karen. “Part of me wants her to be stupid, so I can fuck a bitch up.”
“Rain,” I groan.
“I said what I said.” She shrugs unapologetically.
With a deep breath, we all make our way to the table. “Thank you so much for inviting us,” Karen says as she comes back into the room, setting a pie down next to mine.
“Glad you could make it,” Theo’s mom shifts in her chair, giving her a polite smile.
“And I had so much fun helping you make this wonderful meal for our family.”
Theo sits, and I sit next to him. She goes to take the seat on his other side, but just before her ass meets the chair, Rain pulls it out from under her, causing her to fall on her butt.
Biting my cheek, I try not to laugh while Brody and Chase snort.
“Sorry, Karen. I’ll be taking this spot. There’s a free one by your parents.” Rain smiles down at her, fluttering her eyelashes. I’m gonna marry this woman.
Karen huffs, scrambling to her feet. Brushing herself off, she glares at Rain but says nothing as she rushes over to her parents.
Rain puts the chair back and takes her seat. “Alright, let’s eat!”
We fill up our plates and dig in. I make small talk with Theo and Brody, who’s on my other side. Everything is going good until -just like I knew she would- Karen opens her mouth.
“You know, I really did love spending time with you today,” she tells Theo’s mom. “It’s like mother/daughter bonding.” She laughs. “But I already have a mom, of course, so more like mother-in-law.”
“Is this bitch for real?” Rain scoffs.
All eyes on the other side of the table turn to Rain, but Theo’s mom is the one to speak. “I’d take being the cool aunt.” She smiles, although this one’s fake. “I already have a daughter-in-law.” With that, she grins at me; this time, her smile is real, making me feel better, knowing she’s on my side.
“Of course.” Karen gives her a tight smile, then turns her attention to me. “My mother was just asking how teaching was going. I told her it was going wonderfully. But I mentioned how I wish some students would work a little harder and stop blaming other people for their laziness. What do you think, Ellie?” she instigates, taking a sip of her water.
Clearing my throat, I put my fork down. She wants to play this game, then bring it, bitch. “I think you’re right. No one should expect to get off easy when it comes to school. Work hard, and you shall reap the rewards.” I look to Karen’s parents. “Did Karen tell you? I heard there was a professor who’s been tampering with a student’s school work.”
“What?” Karen’s mother gasps. “That’s horrible. Why on earth would they do that?”
“I heard it was because the student is dating someone the teacher wants, and she’s a jealous bitch who can’t accept that no one wants her psycho ass,” Rain says, smiling as she takes a drink.
“Well, this professor should be fired. That is so sad and petty.” Mrs. Wallace says, shaking her head.
Oh, this moment is so sweet with the way Karen’s face is turning bright red. She goes to open her mouth, not liking that her mother would a hundred percent not approve of her actions if she knew it was Karen I was talking about, but Theo says something before she can.
“I agree. It’s sad when people can’t seem to get it through their head that someone just isn’t interested in them and should really move on with their life before it becomes pathetic.” Karen gasps at Theo, and her eyes water. “Mom, Dad, thank you for supper, but I think we should be going. The kids are falling asleep in their food, and quite frankly, I’m not feeling very well.”
“Oh, of course, love. Thank you for coming.” She stands up and moves around the table to give us hugs and kisses while saying goodbye. We exit, not paying any more attention to Karen, leaving her there fuming.
“You just earned some brownie points with me,” Brody says, patting Theo on the back as he heads to his car.
“Damn, Mr. Munro, you just might be cool after all,” Chase says.
“I can see why the ladies swoon for you.” Rain laughs, giving him a wink.
“Glad someone said something, I didn’t think we were going to be able to keep quiet much longer,” Jax says.
Turning to Theo when we stop by his car, I wrap my arms around his neck, letting him pull me close. “Thank you for that.”
“It took everything in me to be polite for the sake of the older adults, but I see it now, Ellie. She hasn’t changed, and I’m sorry that my past is messing with us.”
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault. We all have something in the back of our closets. Mine was a monster, yours is a crazy lady.”
“You’re amazing.” He kisses me.
“I know.” I grin up at him. “What do you say I show you just how hot it makes me seeing you stick up for me like that?”
“Oh yeah?” he asks. “How so?”
“Ever had your dick covered in pie before having someone suck it off?”
His eyes widen. “What? No!”
“Want to?” I give him a wicked grin that has him blushing like a virgin bride. Oh, I’m gonna have fun with him tonight. And still get my pie too.
Chapter 36
Theo
“Mr. Munro!” someone calls out to me as I make my way to grab something to eat for lunch. It’s the first day back after the Thanksgiving break, and things have been weird at the house. I hate it, and it’s all because some woman thinks she has the right to act unprofessional and immature. When I heard what she said to Ellie the first time they met, I thought she was apologizing to her. Never did I think she would say all of those horrible things to her.
None of them are true. Ellie is the only one I want, the only woman I see myself with for the rest of my life. I don’t care that she has other lovers, our little family works for us. I get along with them, and since joining, they have been there for my son and me just as fiercely as they are for Lilly and Ellie.
For her to think that she could replace or be better than Ellie is one of the most ridiculous things I could ever hear. Because no one is better than Ellie. They can’t even compare to how much I love her, how much she loves me in return, or how caring and sweet and just fucking amazing she is.
Then to find out she’s been messing with Ellie’s school work, along with the things she said at Thanksgiving, it down-right pisses me off. The idea that Ellie is hurting, even just a smidgen, because of me makes me sick. She tells me it’s not my fault, but in a way, it is. If Karen didn’t have this delusional idea in her head, that now, just because my wife is gone, we would be together, then Ellie wouldn’t have to deal with her like this.
“Yes?” I say, turning around to find one of my colleagues walking towards me.
“Would you be able to do me a favor?” he asks as he reaches me.
“That depends.” I chuckle. “I was just about to grab lunch.”
“Are you heading towards the food court?”
“I am.” I nod.
“Oh, perfect. I need to drop this off to Professor Wallace, but my wife just called, she’s going into labor! Could you please drop this off at her office for me? It’s on the way.”
“Uhh.” I really don’t want to see Karen right now. Or at all. I do whatever I can to avoid her. If I see her around campus, I go out of my way to make sure she doesn’t see me. There's been a few times I’ve run into her. The first time was the day after Ellie brought Toby here for lunch, and it took everything in me not to yell in her face about how she told my son that his biological mother is dead and his new mother wasn’t his mother.
“Please! I wouldn't ask if it wasn’t important.”
“Fine.” I sigh, taking the stack of envelopes from him.
“Thank you!” he says before racing down the hall.
“Good luck, and congratulations!” I shout to him.
“Thanks!”
When he disappears from sight, I look down at the envelopes. “Hopefully, she’s out to lunch,” I murmur to myself.
Wanting to get this over with and move on with my day, I rush over to her office. When I get to the door, I knock. Nothing. I knock again. Still nothing.
Trying the door handle, I find it unlocked. I’ll just go in, place these on her desk, and get out. Opening the door, I’m relieved to find no one in here.
My eyes take in the mundane office, but nothing seems to be out of place. Taking the few steps over to the desk, I place the papers down on the neat surface. I’m about to turn around and leave when a thought hits me.
Ellie is debating on going to the dean to report Karen. And the only reason why I asked her if she was sure about it wasn’t because I didn’t support her, but because if she didn’t have enough proof, then this could look bad on her. It could lead to her being accused of lying and claiming false accusations. I don’t want her reputation to be ruined again. I saw how much it hurt her last time.
