Page 60 of Brat Baby (Sugar Life #1, #3)

Thayne shrugs, his face devoid of empathy.

“That is definitely a factor you need to consider. She’ll have to figure that out on her own.

Join study groups, hire a tutor. Whatever she needs to do.

If there is ever seen to be any form of academic coaching from any of you, while you are employed at Newton University, she will be expelled for academic breach and behavior unbecoming of a student.

You will also be fired, effective immediately, for fraternization with a student and manipulation of academic records. There is no wiggle room on this.”

Silence descends on our little group, and even though the music from the club pulses around us and the area we are in has steadily filled with people having a good night, it is hard to muster up any enjoyment about this condition.

“Are there any other conditions?” Darcy asks.

Thayne nods. “There are, but they are all minor compared to those two. Nothing that you can’t achieve or that will require much discussion, mostly just that you are required to keep me updated on the progress of the relationship.

If you extend the contract again or cancel it altogether, I must be made aware so that the paperwork can be updated. ”

Hudson shifts on his stool and I glance at him.

He gives a subtle nod. I don’t even really bother looking at the other two.

They are highly unlikely to ever teach her.

As an economics major, her core courses come from the math and business departments.

Our teaching and education paths will inevitably cross again.

So, the question is, can I walk away from my first-year students right now? A class I have taught since I was a TA myself? And then any future classes of mine that she may wish to enroll in?

Keep teaching, keep my position, keep my tenure, keep Emery. Everything else will remain the same. I just need to give up this one thing.

“When can we sign the papers?” I ask Thayne, a happiness I have rarely felt lately spreading out its warm fingers through my chest.

“They are already waiting for you in your inbox.” The smug bastard reclines back in his couch, his attention catching on someone walking up to us.

“Devi.” Thayne stands, eyes lighting up at the sight of the Madam of Club Obsession.

The four of us stand, while Abigail and Wyatt remaining kneeling, and turn to face Devangeline, Devi for those allowed to address her that way. Madam, Mistress, or Madam D for those who aren’t.

She smiles, her bloodred lipstick drawing the eye. “Please stay seated. I just wanted to come over and congratulate the three of you again. It was a pleasure and a privilege to watch one of my oldest—and I mean that in the age sense—friends finally settle down again.”

Thayne makes a scoffing noise, and we all have a chuckle at his muttered, “I am not the oldest person you know.”

Devi turns to face Darcy and offers him a black paper bag by its handles. “And to deliver this to you.”

Darcy lights up and reaches for the bag, pulling Devi’s much smaller frame into his for a hug. “Thank you. Would you like to take a seat with us?”

He gestures to the space in the middle of the couch, and Devi accepts, all of us resuming our seats.

But before conversation can resume, another group of people joins us, and when I spot the young woman with them, I tense. Dylan, with Caleb and Logan, fellow masters and dungeon monitors for Obsession.

Her head is bowed, and she is wearing unlinked cuffs around her wrists.

Internally, I raise my eyebrows at that.

It seems she is currently under the ownership of whom I can only assume is Caleb and Logan, with how close they are watching her.

Not having been at the club since before Emery, I am totally out of the loop on what is happening right now.

I feel Darcy staring at me from behind Devi, but I ignore him.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Caleb starts, his hand on Dylan’s lower back. “But Dylan was hoping to talk to you, Derek.”

I move to stand, because I can see this for what it is. This is an amends. Giving Dylan the privacy she deserves for this is something I am happy to bestow.

But Logan stops me with a shake of his head, arms folded over his chest. “Here is fine. She chose to embarrass you in public, she can now apologize in public.”

“If that is what is required, then that is fine with me. However, I do not require this to be public,” I respond, wanting to provide an out. Public apologies are never an easy thing.

“Please, Master Derek, allow me this. I wish to show everyone that I was the one in the wrong.” Dylan manages to drag her eyes up from the floor. They shimmer with a sheen of tears, and her long blonde hair is brushed perfectly straight and hangs around her flushed face.

It’s only now that I notice she is in a plain white cotton shift with no shoes, not one of her typical all-black leather-and-lace outfits that leave very little to the imagination.

Everyone seated around us has gone quiet, providing this moment for just Dylan and me.

I’m also aware that people around the bar and other seating areas have taken notice of the exchange, and not wanting to drag this out, I incline my head. “You may apologize.”

Dylan immediately steps forward, winding her way around the coffee table with our drinks on it, kneels directly in front of me and makes direct eye contact, that shimmer of tears beading over her lower lashes.

“Master Derek, I wish to apologize for my behavior during our last scene. I knew from the moment that we discussed what would happen that I was not going to enjoy the activity, and I should have discussed this, regardless of my fear that I would displease you. I ended up doing so, anyway. I failed you and broke our trust. I am sincerely sorry for causing you to use our safe word during a public scene, when I knew better. I hope that, one day, you will be able to forgive me.”

To Dylan’s credit, her voice holds strong, even as tears make streaks down her reddened cheeks.

As much as the recollection of that scene brings me terrible sadness and anger, I can’t help but feel sympathy for this girl. Young lady, really. She is only a few years older than Emery, with a membership that is only in its second year.

I shift forward in my seat and lean down so that I can whisper in her ear. “Dylan, all I want for you is to be happy. To find your master, or masters, and allow them to help you grow into the woman you are meant to be. I hope that Caleb and Logan are that for you.”

I pull back, and Dylan stares up at me. “I…I think they might be.”

Smiling, I chuck her on the chin. “I’m glad. If you ever need to talk, I hope you know that I am here. We may not have worked out in the long run, but I will always consider you a friend.”

The ghost of a smile appears on her lips, and she releases a watery chuckle. “Thank you, Master Derek. I’ll keep that in mind.”

I straighten in my seat and look to Caleb and Logan, both of whom stand with their arms crossed over their chests as they watch us. One with worry, the other stoically.

“Apology accepted.”

Caleb’s shoulders lower a fraction, and he offers me a thankful smile. “Dylan, please provide drinks for everyone at the table. I think we all need something to smooth out the edges.”

Dylan follows the order and quickly rises before dashing off to the bar.

Conversation starts up around us, with everyone asking Thayne about their honeymoon.

He allows Abigail and Wyatt to join in, and Darcy quickly engages with Devi about the exhibition event she went to earlier this week, where she picked up his ropes.

I look around at my friends, thinking about the email waiting for me that will allow us to pursue Emery once again, without fear of repercussions for any of us.

I curse the no-personal-cameras rule for the main club area.

The urge to run to the changing rooms and retrieve my phone from my locker is strong, but I haven’t seen my friends for weeks.

Dylan arrives, carrying a tray of drinks that has something for everyone. Once she has served everyone else, she returns to where she was kneeling for her apology, raises the tray above her head, and offers me her drink. I accept it and she maintains her position.

I check in with Logan, as Xavier has engaged with Caleb, and he mouths, Her idea.

Ah, a bit of service submission as a part of the apology.

I take a sip and replace my drink on the tray and let my mind wander to our precious girl.

Emery should be at the apartment now, eating the food I had delivered. We can all surprise her tomorrow morning. We’ll get the papers signed and delivered to Thayne first thing Monday, and I’ll speak with Justin to see if he is happy to finally take the step of teaching a class on his own.

The weight that has been pressing down on me lifts suddenly, like a rocket launching into space.

We did it. We walked the line. This is going to work.

Emery is going to be ours.

I scan the room, watching the people mingle, but then have to do a double-take, because she can’t be here. It’s impossible. My mind has to be playing tricks on me. She’s at the apartment.

Emery.

Here.

At Obsession. Not fifty feet away and in nothing but black lingerie.

Her eyes are wide, gaze jumping around to everyone in our group.

I turn to see where she is staring at Darcy, a portion of his brand-new rope in Devi’s hand as he talks to her about it.

Then over to Hudson, leaning down and talking to Abigail, who is still kneeling on the floor at his feet.

Then Xavier, talking to Caleb, Logan, and a woman with curly red hair that I don’t recognize.

And then back to me. And Dylan. Who is kneeling for me. Who Emery clearly recognizes.

That weight is back on my chest as her eyes slam into mine, hurt and betrayal tearing at her beautiful features.

No. No. No.

“Emery.” I surge to standing, startling everyone around me. Startling her as well. Her eyes widen even farther as Darcy, Hudson, and Xavier shove to standing when they hear her name.

Before any of us can react, she turns on her heel and dashes back through the crowd, disappearing from sight.