by Sm Donaldson
As soon as they came with our order, Gabby jumped up and practically bolted for the door. Which makes me wonder What in the hell he’s done to her?
After we get in my car, I put my hand on hers, “Gabby, what’s wrong? Has he done something to you?”
She shook her head, “No, he’s just intense sometimes.”
“Gabby you looked terrified.”
“I’m fine really, let’s just go back to the apartment so you can watch this chick flick with me.”
I chuckle, “You just be glad that I know you’ve had a rough few days and need a pick me up.” I’ll just leave the whole Professor Jennings thing for today. But I know he did something and I’ve heard way too many stories about him for it to be good.
Chapter 14
Gabby
Linc and I pretty much ride in silence to our apartment. I know my reaction to Jennings was obvious. I’m going to have to talk to him at work…I have to put a stop to this. It’s not something I want to do again. I can’t believe I screwed up so freakin bad, I just really can’t believe I would do such a thing. I’m a freakin idiot. But I also think about what he said to me and what Russ told me. God I hope I can get control of this.
“Gabby!”
“Oh shit sorry, I must’ve dazed off for a second, I didn’t realize we’d already made it back.”
I help grab our bags of food and the movie so we can head up to our place. Once we got in the apartment, I grab a couple of beer out of the fridge, “Linc beer okay with you?”
“Yeah Gab works for me. You putting the movie in?”
I walk over and sit the beers down on the coffee table, “Yeah.” I grab the DVD and put it in the player and flop down on the couch beside Linc.
We sit there eating and joking for the next hour of the movie. We try each other’s food. Then, Linc starts to rub my feet while we are sitting on the couch. “Linc you don’t have to do that.”
“Gabby, it’s cool, I like doing things for you.”
I can’t help but smile a little smile and I can see this makes him happy. I really want to be with him, but if he finds out about my stupidity…he’s not going to want me. I’ve really fucked up…I can’t just not tell him if I really want to be with him. The rest of the night is very PG. After the second movie was over Russ came in and ate our left over’s. I pick this time to deflect attention from me and give Russ a hard time about my sister.
“So Russ, what did my sister say to you before she left? She wouldn’t tell me, I know she’s too much of a goody goody to whisper dirty secrets in your ear, but the way the two of you were blushing, I really wasn’t sure.”
He flops down in a chair, “Damn what is it? I’m nice to one girl and she’s nice to me and all of a sudden it’s like I’m being interrogated at Gitmo.”
I laugh, “No I just thought it was cute. You guys…it was just cute. My sister never gets like that with guys and the two of you just seemed so relaxed with each other. Her last boyfriend was some uptight country club type prick. Like I told you before, don’t ever think someone is out of your league…you just aren’t at that place yet.”
Russ smiles at me, “Thanks Gab, you’re a great girl. You are going to make some son-of-a-bitch happy one day.”
I laugh knowing he’s talking about Linc, “I’m going to get a shower and go to bed, Goodnight guys. Thanks again for this weekend.”
~*~
Monday comes a lot sooner than I want it to. Now I have to face Jennings…what am I going to say? As I walk out into the kitchen to grab myself some coffee, Russ is standing there waiting for it to brew.
He looks over at me, “So are you going to be okay today…I mean with you know who?”
I shrug, “Yeah, I just gotta get it over with right?”
He pulls me to his side, “You know how to get up with me if you need me.”
I smile and wink, “Are you really this thoughtful or are you just buttering me up to get to my sister?”
He playfully shoves my shoulder, “Whatever Gab.”
~*~
As I walk into Professor Jennings office he’s on the phone, so I get to work with my usual things. After he gets off the phone he shuts his office door, he walks over and wraps his hands around my waist. I take deep breathe and move away. He tries to pull me back and I shake my head.
“Look Professor Jennings what happened can’t happen again. I just can’t…I mean it’s too much…I’m sorry. The other night I was upset and vulnerable. I really didn’t mean for it to happen.”
He looks at me and chuckles, “Oh you didn’t mean for it to happen. What kind of bullshit is that? You don’t understand, I say when this is done. I said I wanted to see you again and I meant it.”
“Well, I don’t want to see you again.”
He closes in on me and presses me up against a filing cabinet and runs his hands up and down my body. “See you like this.”
I’m suddenly fighting the urge to vomit, I find the strength to shove him away, “No this is inappropriate and if you don’t leave me alone. I’ll report this.”
He laughs, “Really… you’re going to say what? That you had consensual sex with me. Sweetheart that’s going to get you in just as much trouble as me.”
I shove past him and open his office door, “Whatever. You should be ashamed.”
He chuckles, “See you in class in a little bit.”
My adrenaline is pumping, I shoot a text to Russ.
Me: I need help can you meet me?
Russ: Sure are you okay? Where do you want to meet?
Me: I’m okay right now, at the coffee cart in front of the student union.
Russ: Okay see you in 5.
Me: Thanks!
A few minutes later I see Russ jogging up my way. I stand up and walk his way, “Come over here with me.”
“Gabby what’s up you are scaring me?”
“Okay so operation tell Professor that it was a mistake didn’t go well.”
“What happened? Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head and relay the conversation we had, I see Russ’s face start to turn red.
“That egotistical son of a bitch. He thinks he can threaten you, with what happened.”
“Well, he kind of can. I mean if I report it I have to tell the truth or I’m just as wrong as him.”
“No, I think we need to read the student bi-laws. Also, you had been drinking that night. You can say that normally you wouldn’t make mistakes like that.”
“Yeah but, then everyone will know.”
“Gabby, just think, if he is doing this to you…how many others have there been?”
I nod my head, “I know, but what do I do?”
“Well, let me do some research, in the meantime I think you need to quit your T.A. job.”
“Russ I have to work.”
“Yeah, I know the gym just off campus is looking for a trainer/desk worker, I’ll talk to the guy. You have class with Linc right?”
“Yeah, but I still don’t want him to know.”
“He doesn’t have to, just stay with him. That jackass won’t approach you with someone else around. Okay….we are going to get you through this.” He pulls me into a hug.
I smile, “Thanks Russ. I really don’t know what I would do without you right now.”
“Just don’t find yourself alone with him.”
“What am I going to tell everyone about quitting?”
He keeps me tugged up under his arm, “We’ll figure something out. Don’t worry about that now.”
Chapter15
Linc
What in the Hell is going on with Russ and Gabby? I understand being friends, but I saw them this morning hugging in the kitchen and now out here in the courtyard. He knows I like her, what fucking game is he running? Maybe he’s just talking to her about her sister or something, God I hope so. I don’t think I can handle seeing her with someone else. I’ll try to see what I can find out in class.
~*~
I walk int
o Jennings class and slide into my seat next to Gabby, she looks up and smiles at me.
“Hey Gabby, everything going okay today?”
“Yeah, just still getting over this weekend.”
“Did Anna make it back okay and everything?”
“Yeah, she did. Of course she was asking me all about that wonderful cousin of yours.”
I chuckle, “Yeah, Russ has a way with the ladies.”
She smiles, “He is really a good guy.”
“So…. I may be out of line to ask this but, is there anything going on between you and Russ?”
She laughs, “God No! He’s just a really great friend. I can’t believe you thought that.”
“Well, I mean you guys have certainly gotten kinda chummy these past few days.”
She smiles, that smile makes me melt. “Russ has just been a great sounding board…I told him I think he should change his major to Psych…Plus I think he’s falling head over heels for my little sister.”
“Oh yeah, sorry…I just saw you guys hug a couple of times…I was ugh…never mind.”
“Mr. Addison, is that a touch of jealously I’m sensing?” She winks.
I smile, “Maybe…”
About that time Professor Jennings walks in and I notice Gabby tense up automatically.
I whisper, “Gabby is everything okay?”
She nods, “Yeah, I need to drop something off to Professor Jennings after class…can you wait with me?”
I scowl a little, “Yeah sure whatever you need…”
When class is over she makes her way up to the front and hands him an envelope, he glares at her. “Ms. Lewis, I’ll be seeing you in a little while…correct? What is this?”
She shuffles a little, “Um no you won’t. That is actually my letter of resignation…I got a job at a gym as a trainer…and it works with my major a little better. You know since I’m Sports Medicine and all.”
I swear I see anger in his eyes, “I’m sorry to hear that Ms. Lewis…You were doing so well, I really hoped to work more with you.”
She shrugs, “I’m sorry, this job just came up and I don’t want to miss out on it.”
He scowls, “Well, that’s unfortunate…Would you mind stopping by my office later…I have a couple of things to go over with you?”
“Um actually I have a pretty busy day…maybe another time.”
With that she looks at me and we walk out of the room. I can look at her and tell she’s visibly shaken. After we get into the foyer of the building I look over at her she still has this look on her face like she may throw up. I look over at her, “Gabby lets go work out in the weight room.”
She shrugs, “Yeah, sounds good. But don’t you have class in a little bit?”
“Yeah, but I want to go work out or maybe lets go for a run.”
She smiles, “Are you sure? I mean I don’t want you to get into trouble with your coach for skipping class or something.”
“Nah, it’s just a current affairs class.”
She smiles, “Then a run sounds great.”
We go back to the apartment and change for our run. I notice her phone keeps dinging that she has text messages and she keeps ignoring them. Once she comes out of her room I notice she leaves her phone on the table. She has her IPod which she never carries when we run, what in the hell is going on with her?
“Gabby, if you wanna talk about anything…I’m here.”
She smiles and kisses my cheek, “Yeah I know, I’ve just got a lot going on in my head.” She goes to walk out the door and she turns and glances over her shoulder, “I’ll talk to you soon I promise…I’ve just got to work some things out.”
I nod, “Okay let’s go for that run.”
We run for what seems like forever in silence, once we get to the other side of campus she finally stops. She leans over with her hands on her knees breathing, I go to hand her a bottle of water and realize for the first time that she’s crying. I pull her to my chest and we sit down, we just sit there for a few minutes. Finally almost as if she’s just realized what’s going on she looks up at me.
“Linc I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do this.”
I stroke her back, “Gabby it’s okay…Now please tell me what’s going on? I’m not sure I can take much more of knowing that you’re hurting and me not being able to help you.”
She wipes her cheek and looks up at me with those big green eyes that I still see tears in, “Please don’t hate me Linc…”
“Hey, I can’t hate you.”
“The night of the party, I slept with Professor Jennings.”
I know the look on my face has to be one of shock, “Gabby did he…did he force?”
She stops me, “No, I mean I was pretty much drunk and I was a mess from my run in with Reece, but no he didn’t force me. This isn’t something I’m proud of…Now he won’t let it go…That’s the reason I quit my job, Russ helped me get the one at the gym off campus…he is who was blowing my phone up after class…” She puts her face down, “This has become a complete cluster fuck.” She flops down onto her back and covers her face, “Linc what have I done?”
So that’s what has been going on with her and Russ. “Gabby who all knows about this?”
“Just you, Russ, me and Jennings. Please whatever you do don’t tell Cade…I can’t handle his ‘Gabby how can you be this stupid’ lecture.”
“Well, I feel like I should be saying the same thing…except I know you were hurt, intoxicated and vulnerable at the time. I seriously just want to hold you right now…but that’s not how I want this to start.”
She moves her hands, “Linc, what do you mean? Not how you want what to start?”
“Gab, I really like you. I mean I like you…not just your body which is awesome…but you as a person. I would like to ask you out on a date, but not right now…”
She looks at me and I see more tears, “I’m sorry Linc, I screwed this up. I don’t blame you for not wanting me.”
“No Gab, trust me I still want you. I’ve wanted you since before we kissed after coming home from the bar. But I want you to get all of this figured out right now…I figure you need a friend right now more than you need a date. But trust me once you’re ready…there will be no more skirting the issue. I will be asking you out on a for real date.”
She smiles, “I’m pretty sure I’ll accept.”
“But I have to admit I’m a little lost in all of this…so can you fill me in? You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to. I just feel like I want to make you feel better and without knowing what I’m working against I’m lost.”
She half way chuckles and explains everything to me. I’m glad she did. The past few days she’s looked so sad, so lonely all I want to do is hold her. We walk back to the dorms and I wonder how on earth people could treat her the way they do. That dumbass Reece needs his balls strung up and cut off. That jackass Jennings needs the same thing to happen to him, Reece for making her think it’s okay for people to treat her like a second class citizen and Jennings for taking advantage of her. But I’ll do my best to make sure neither one of them get to hurt her again.
Chapter 16
Gabby
As we walk back in our room, I glance over and see Russ on the couch. I guess he could tell by my face something was wrong. He jumps to his feet and is in front of me before I know it.
“Gabby what the hell is wrong?”
I shake my head, “It’s all okay now.” Linc wraps his arm around my shoulders. Russ’s eyebrows shoot up. I give a slight smile, “Linc knows everything Russ. I sure hope you really got me that job, because there is no way in hell I can go back to my old one now.”
He chuckles, “Yeah it’s yours. Zack said you could start next Monday, I told him I’d bring you by this week to get your paperwork filled out and so you guys can discuss your schedule.”
Linc give him a playful punch, “Thanks man, for getting her the job and for being her ear.”
Russ shrugged, “Nah not a
big deal, I’d loved to castrate Jennings, but she won’t let me. So this is the least I could do.”
Linc laughs, “Hell I’d love to do the same thing.”
“Okay well if you two are finished chest bumping at my expense…I could really use a drink tonight. How about we make some Mexican food and one of you go get us some beer. I need to shower.”
Russ chuckles, “Yeah Gabby you really do need a shower…I mean I wasn’t going to say anything since I’m a gentleman, but you kinda smell.”
“You’re far from a gentleman Russ, so since Linc was nice…I nominate you to get the beer. You know why don’t you swing by El Rio and grab us some take-out rather than cooking….since you’re proclaiming to be this gentleman.”
He chuckles, “Sure whatever…you know I’m going to be your brother-in-law one day when Anna and I get married so you should be nice to me.”
At that point Linc spit the water he was drinking all over the kitchen table and was holding his stomach he was laughing so hard and at that moment I was too.
Russ acting offended grabs his keys, “Fine I can see I’m not appreciated.”
I giggle, “Thanks guys I’m getting in the shower.” I grab my phone and head in the bathroom I guess I should check all those texts.
Jennings: I need to talk with you.
Jennings: How about dinner at my place tonight.
Jennings: Don’t think you can avoid me.
Jennings: I never figured you to be a prude.
Jennings: I will see you again. Don’t think that Jock boy will stop me either.
Jennings: I WILL SEE YOU SOON.
Me: Leave me the fuck alone. I’m your
Student for crying out loud. Yes I will
Be in your class, but that is all. All of
That was a mistake, I was drunk and you
Should’ve known better. Stay Away from me.
With that text sent I climb in the shower. I hope like hell he stays away from me.
An hour later, Russ is back with our food, Linc and I have both showered and dressed. I open my beer and fix my plate. “Hey Russ, thanks for the beer and the food…I was starving.” I give him a hug. I look around, “Have either of you spoken with Daria or Cade?”
