Student Seduction

by Caisey Quinn

  But then it occurred to me that this would likely start an argument about an irrelevant hypothetical scenario for no reason.

  “Sure, babe. Ask away.”

  He slid the menus to the side because we didn’t need them. We always ordered the same thing.

  I could tell him. About the E-mail. Probably even about the thing my heart and stomach did when I read it. I could tell him I’d kept me response short and sweet, telling Aiden I was sorry to hear about his injury but that I knew he’d make a wonderful coach.

  I could probably even tell him that I’d signed it Love always, Emersyn—though that part might not go over so well.

  Or we could enjoy our Tuesday night together without arguing over ghosts from our pasts.

  So I tucked Aiden’s E-mail into the crevice where the missing portion of my heart was and smiled at my boyfriend.

  “Do you want to go get gelato after this?”

  26

  Emersyn

  6 Months Later

  “It’s the freaking Met, Em. Are you not just completely out of your mind right now?”

  I couldn’t help but grin at Drew’s boyish enthusiasm. His exuberance was contagious.

  “Maybe a little,” I admitted.

  The waiter brought our celebratory champagne and James approved the vintage and thanked him.

  The sculpture I’d done after my mother passed had been added to an exhibit for the Lupus Awareness Fundraiser Gala being held at the Metropolitan Museum in New York tomorrow night.

  I’d flown in from Chicago earlier that afternoon and was staying at with my best friend and his husband for the weekend.

  “A little?” Drew scoffed. “It’s the Met. I’d take it over the Guggenheim any day. You are so living your best life right now. We’re really happy for you, Em.”

  I blushed at their attention. “Thank you. Both of you. I’m really happy for you, too. Have they said how much longer until the paperwork on Nina is final?”

  Nina was the one year old daughter they were adopting from Guatemala. She was the most precious thing. I’d only seen pictures, but as her Godmother, I couldn’t wait to hold her in my arms.

  “Should be in the next ninety days,” James said, excitement gleaming bright in his eyes. “You’ll fly back in, right? I can get you a ticket if needed.”

  “Of course I will. And no need. I’m doing okay. Not quite starving artist status yet.”

  Drew scoffed. “After tomorrow you’re going to be famous.”

  I rolled my eyes, but the undercurrent of possibility was electric in my veins all the same.

  As the waiter returned to take our orders, I watched them decide what to get so they could each have half of the other’s choice. My heart filled seeing the love Drew had found. And their family was growing.

  I was thrilled for them. And a little envious, too.

  I’d moved out of Max’s apartment a few months ago. When Beth had shown up one day, it became obvious that I’d only been a placeholder. I hadn’t even been sad about it. Max and I parted ways amicably and I’d left some of my furniture for them because I didn’t have room for it.

  Now I lived in a tiny studio loft apartment above my favorite coffee shop. I had a fabulous job at the Museum of Contemporary Art, where I coordinated member services and events and made sure no one was an asshole to the interns.

  I enjoyed my solitude when I wasn’t working, sculpting or working with mixed-mediums every chance I got, but it was lonely at times. Deborah and my dad visited once a year on my birthday and I flew out to visit them at Christmas. Ethan stayed with me here and there when the farm league baseball team he played for was in the off-season. But most of the time, it was just me.

  The waiter left and James kicked Drew under the table.

  It startled me and I stared at them wide-eyed.

  “We agreed,” James said under his breath. “You can tell her after the Gala.”

  “Tell me what?” I leaned forward so I wouldn’t miss any more of their conversation.

  Drew glanced at his husband. “I think she’ll be more upset if I don’t tell her now.”

  James gave a subtle shake of his head. “Tomorrow would be better. It’s a big day. Let her enjoy it. Tell her after.”

  “Okay, the suspense is too much. Just tell me.” I squared my shoulders and braced myself. “Whatever it is, I can handle it. Did some early reviewer say my piece for the exhibit was crap? I can take it.”

  Drew made a face. “No, darling. Nothing like that.”

  James closed his eyes. “Telling her before tomorrow is a mistake. It will cast a doom cloud over her big moment.”

  Drew was torn. His face a mask of anguish as he looked from James to me and back again.

  “Okay, enough. Stop this and just tell me whatever it is. I have to give a speech tomorrow in front of hundreds of people on a disease that took my mother’s life. Nothing you could tell me know is going to stress me out more than that. Trust me.”

  Drew cast one more long look at James who waved his hand in surrender before turning to me.

  “We saw Aiden. At a restaurant opening downtown last night.”

  He might as well have reached across the table and slapped my face.

  I sat there trying to make sense of the words that had come from his mouth.

  “Aiden? Singleton? Here in New York?”

  Drew nodded. “Yes. Yes. And Yes.”

  What were the odds?

  My heart still did that thing at the sound of his name, the elevator drop in sync with my stomach turning a flip because apparently he had trained them to do so in Pavlovian fashion.

  “Hm,” I said, taking a larger than necessary swallow of champagne. “That’s an interesting coincidence.”

  Drew glanced back at James again. James gave another subtle discouraging shake of his head but Drew continued.

  “Uh, Em. There’s more. Do you want to hear it or no?”

  I shrugged. Downed a baked oyster from the plate of appetizers. Chugged more champagne.

  “Sure.”

  Drew eyed me warily. “He was with a group. In a private party room. With a woman who looked awfully excited to see him.”

  I nodded. There it was. The other shoe dropping like a cement block.

  The appetizers in my stomach turned slimy, making me feel ill.

  I forced a smile. “That’s not surprising. I figured he was seeing someone by now.”

  Drew hesitated then rushed his words out. “It was an engagement party, Em. I asked our server to be sure.”

  His words formed fists around my lungs and squeezed.

  I could not hyperventilate in this elegant crowded dining room. My mouth went dry and a faraway ringing sound began to make itself known in my ear drum.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to run to the ladies room.” In my haste, I nearly tripped over my own two feet. I heard James mutter what sounded like I told you so.

  I made it to the restroom with my clutch gripped tightly in hand. After retrieving my cell phone, I pulled up the message Aiden had sent six months ago.

  I read it over and over, scrutinizing it word for word until I could recite the entire thing from memory—looking for any indication that he’d been involved with someone. Someone he was apparently about to marry.

  At the end of the message was his phone number.

  Red warning lights flashed behind my eyes. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to contact him but how could I not?

  I tapped the number and the prompts appeared. I could call him or I could text him.

  If you ever need me, all you have to do is say the word and I’m there.

  I needed him. I needed him to explain the who, what, when, where, and why of it all.

  I needed closure so I could let him go and move on. For real this time.

  I needed to calm the fuck down first.

  I put my phone on the edge of the sink and splashed some cold water on my face. Pretty much destroyed that evening’s attempt
at make-up but oh well.

  Feeling slightly more in control of myself, I took several deep breaths and picked up my phone once more.

  I could do this.

  I typed out my message in my notes app so I could edit the wording without risking my shaky hands sending the damn thing by accident. It took three tries and Drew texted during to make sure I was okay. I assured him I would be out momentarily, then I read my message one final time.

  Hey, Aiden. I know it’s been awhile. I’m not sure if you have my number but it’s Emersyn Tyler and I just heard about your engagement. Congratulations! I’m in New York also. I have a piece showing in an exhibit at The Met tomorrow night. If you and your fiancée are still in town, I hope you’ll stop by. I’d love to see you and congratulate you both in person. I’m so glad to hear you’re doing well. All the best!

  I stared at it another minute wondering if I should remove my last name and if I’d overdone it on the exclamation points.

  “Like it freaking matters how you come across now, Em. He’s getting married, you moron,” I muttered to myself.

  A lady exited a stall and side-eyed me as she washed her hands.

  Trying to get closure on the affair I had with my high school history teacher, lady. Move along.

  Nothing to see here.

  I rubbed my sweaty palms on my cocktail dress and took a deep breath.

  I hit send and a wave of nausea-inducing panic washed over me. I should’ve taken out ‘all the best’ and every single one of the stupid ass exclamation points. I looked like an over zealous idiot.

  When the phone buzzed in my hand, I nearly dropped it on the floor.

  Please be a could not deliver message notification.

  Nope.

  He’d responded.

  It’s good to hear from you. You’re sure it’s okay for us to crash your party?

  Oh God.

  My fingers texted back without consulting my brain. Of course. The more the merrier. And a smiley face. A fucking smiley face. My stomach rolled violently. I was going to be sick.

  Another buzz. Another message that might shatter me into a million pieces.

  Great. Put us down for three if that’s okay. Axel’s in town.

  Of course he was. His brother was getting married, to someone he didn’t have to worry would get him arrested. Axel was probably so thrilled Aiden hadn’t ended up with me.

  My stomach rolled violently, threatening to empty its contents as I texted back: Consider it done. See you tomorrow night!

  The biggest night of my life was now going to include the only man I’d ever loved and his future wife.

  What had I done?

  27

  Emersyn

  I’d just made a nice little nest in the covers of the bed in Drew’s guest room, which was nicer than my actual bedroom back home, when he and James came in with faces full of pity and concern.

  “Hey, kiddo.”

  I arched a brow. Drew never called me kiddo. “Uh oh. It’s the sympathy train. No need to stop at this station. I’m fine.”

  Drew sighed. “I know you’re hurting, Em. And I’m sorry. I should’ve listened to James. If them being there tomorrow ruins your big night, it’ll be all my fault.”

  I patted the spot on the bed beside me and sighed. “It’s not your fault. You had no way of knowing I’d invite him. Believe me, I surprised myself with that one. I thought it would be a big I’m over you gesture to spare my pride but it backfired.”

  Drew nodded and sat beside me. “Odder still, the fact that he’s coming. I can’t help but wonder how he’s going to explain it to her. Oh, hey, future bride. Did I ever mention I had an intensely sexual love affair with one of my high school students? And here she is now.”

  We all contemplated that for a few seconds in silence.

  “I wonder what she’s like,” I said, staring at the comforter. “What did she look like when you saw them?”

  Drew glanced at James and winced. “I only saw her briefly. And she was kind of hugging him so it was a side view. She was petite. A well-dressed blonde with a sophisticated looking bob. Amazing shoes. I’m sorry.”

  I swallowed my emotions deep down into my stomach. “He was a professional hockey player for years. She’s probably a model or something.”

  “Nah, too short.” Drew leaned against me. “James and I will be there for moral support. We won’t leave your side. Maybe this will be a good thing.”

  I hugged a pillow to my chest. “How so?”

  “Maybe you’ll get closure. Finally put what you had behind you and move on. Instead of hiding behind something safe.”

  “I’m guessing that’s a dig at Max.”

  “Not Max personally. He was nice. But I think that’s all he was for you. Nice and safe. You weren’t in love with him. Not really. I think you know I’m right.”

  He was. “It was a legal, stable, healthy adult relationship and I needed that at the time. I am grateful for Max.”

  “Me too. But it was boring as shit and you didn’t bat an eyelash when you left and neither did he. You deserve so much more than that, Em.”

  I didn’t say anything.

  Aiden was more than that. Aiden was somehow woven into the fabric of my being and I couldn’t separate him from the concept of love. I couldn’t ever fall head over heels for Max, all I could do was like him a lot and appreciate his positive qualities. He had lovely hands, a nice voice, and he was a kindhearted human being. But he didn’t make my heart beat out of rhythm or my stomach all swoopy. He deserved more than that, too, and I was glad he had found it again with Beth. If only we could all be so lucky to get to spend our lives with our soulmate.

  James’s cell phone rang and he told me to let him know if I needed anything before he excused himself.

  I assured him I would.

  Drew stood to leave.“I’ll let you get some rest.”

  “Night, Drew. And thank you for telling me. You were right, I would’ve been upset if you’d waited. I’ll survive tomorrow night. Promise.”

  “I know you will. I’ve seen you survive much worse. Gracefully.” At the door, he paused. “What will you do if he invites you to his wedding?”

  I hadn’t even thought of that. A new level of panic set it.

  “I-I don’t know. I’ll probably tell him I’ll check my calendar then politely decline later.”

  I couldn’t watch that. I couldn’t watch the only man I’d ever been truly in love with commit to spending the rest of his life with someone else. I could be happy for them from a distance. A long, long distance.

  It was only now, faced with Drew’s direct questions, that I realized how much what Aiden and I once had actually meant to me.

  I’d let it go when I should’ve embraced it and held on. But he wouldn’t have asked me to give up art school and I couldn’t ask him not to play professional hockey. We loved each other too much to ask the other person to sacrifice their dream. But part of me wished we’d tried the long-distance thing. Tried to visit more, tried harder to keep in touch. I reminded myself once more that it didn’t matter now and that wallowing in regret was not productive. It was too late.

  At the end of her life, my mom had been determined not to dwell on her regrets and I was going to do the same.

  “I was rooting for you two crazy kids,” Drew admitted. “But mostly, I just want you to be happy. I always thought maybe you’d find your way back to each other one day. But if he’s not your happily ever after, it’s his loss.”

  I tried to smile at the sweet sentiment. “Thanks. I appreciate that. I don’t know if happily ever after is a realistic option for me.” Content ever after seemed like the best I could hope for.

  Drew’s eyes turned sad. “Look at your mom and Kat. Your dad and Deb. Look at me and James. It’s real and it will be for you too when you’re ready.”

  “I love you, Drewskie,” I said, feeling drained as I curled around the pillow onto my side. “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight, s
weetheart. I love you too.”

  With that, he turned off the light. I laid there in the darkness picturing Aiden’s wedding with his mystery bride.

  And just before I fell asleep, I saw her face.

  But it wasn’t a stranger he was marrying.

  It was me.

  28

  Emersyn

  The next morning we had mimosas with breakfast to calm my nerves. Drew and James sent their friend Ivory over to do my hair and makeup. She was a gorgeous l South African goddess with the most melodic accent I’d ever heard.

  The Vera Wang A-line dress I had planned to wear was simple and she and Drew both vetoed it the moment I showed it to them.

  “Sweetheart, no,” Drew said shaking his head. “Just no.”

  “It’s a beautiful dress,” James began, taking a gentler approach. “If you were going to be a guest at the Gala tonight it would be perfect. Think of yourself as art this evening. You will be on display as much as the artwork.”

  I hadn’t thought of it like that. “I need another mimosa.”

  James gave me a patient smile. “I’ll make a few calls and have something sent over.”

  He disappeared down the hallway and I turned to Drew. “If he wasn’t so fantastic, I’d wonder if you married for money. But the more time I spend with him, the more I consider trying to steal him away.”

  Drew tossed his head back and laughed. “You’re beautiful, darling. But that man is all mine.”

  Less than an hour later, a box arrived and it felt like Christmas. Drew and James brought it to the massive bathroom where Ivory was touching up my hair, pinning the loose waves she’d created to one side and shellacking me with some type of glossy spray.

  “Try to have an open mind,” James said. “Don’t make any snap judgements. Put it on and then decide. We have other options if you don’t love it.”

  Drew shooed him out of the way, bringing the dress forward. “There are no other options worth looking at. This is the dress.”