Page 43 of Brighter Shades of Light

“Far from it, actually. You remind me of an old friend. He shared your enthusiasm for nanotechnology, nanobots specifically.”

“Really?” He grabbed his blueberry muffin and took a huge bite out of it, crumbs falling from his lips as he chewed. “Is that how you got into nanotechnology? I read your articles on it. Mostly solar power and energy saving proposals. Good stuff. What does your friend do these days?”

I didn’t want to discuss Leon. Thinking about him was one thing, but talking about him, as if he truly was a part of my past, was another.

“I should get going,” I said. Time flew by with Cody. Hours felt like minutes. Everything outside of our table at the coffee shop didn’t exist. Then, reality came crashing back. “I have work I need to catch up on.”

“Maybe get some sleep while you’re at it, Doctor.” He winked. “Thanks for having coffee with me. Is it weird that I look forward to it after our tutoring now?”

“Not weird at all.”

I should tell him it couldn’t happen again. We were becoming too friendly. The line I worked hard not to cross inched closer every day.

Returning home, I flipped on the living room light and moved through the house. On the way to my study, though, I stopped near my piano. I touched the lid, feeling the smooth texture beneath my fingertips.

I hadn’t played it in so long. Perhaps I’d forgotten how. My fingers might remember the correct keys, but the song was no longer in my heart.

I continued to my study, welcoming the quiet space but also hating it. I used to prefer being alone. But after being around Cody, I found I enjoyed his carefree laughter and interesting views a little bit more.

Chapter 12

Cody

“You and that professor have been spending a lot of time together lately,” Tristen said as we walked to O’Brien Hall.

“So? It’s just for school stuff.”

“You sure that’s all it is? Didn’t you go out with him a few times outside of school?”

“What are you getting at?” I stopped on the sidewalk and faced him. It was Monday morning, so I was already a little cranky from having to be awake so early for PT, and he wasn’t helping. “Why the third degree?”

Tristen put his hands on his hips. “Do I look like an idiot, Cody? I know something’s going on with you guys. You’ve been a lot happier the past few weeks, and you didn’t even bitch about me eating your leftover pizza yesterday, which youalwaysget pissed at me for doing. I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s kinda shitty to keep it from your best friend.”

“I’m not keeping anything from you. He’s tutoring me and we sometimes go out for coffee afterward. That’s it. Can you fucking stop now?”

We continued walking. The October morning was chilly, and I regretted not wearing a sweatshirt. Crazy to think we were already halfway through the month. My birthday was in November, as was the five-year anniversary of my dad getting sick. Since he died, I didn’t really celebrate my birthday anymore. Too depressing.

“Sorry,” Tristen said, once we were at the building. “Didn’t mean to piss you off.”

“Hey.” I touched his arm and waited for him to look at me. “I’m not pissed at you. Nothing’s going on with me and Dr. Vale, but is it bad of me to wish there was? Like, Ireallylike him.”

“Yeah, it’s kinda bad, Cody. He’s your professor.”

“I know.” My heart dropped into my stomach as I joined the other midshipmen who were lined up for morning accountability. Tristen stood beside me, appearing way more alert than anyone had right to be that early. “He doesn’t feel the same, anyway.”

“Oh my Christ. You’ve actually hit on him?”

“Yeah. But he didn’t return it. It’s one-sided.”

Or maybe Dr. Vale didn’t knowhowto go about it. Because I got the feeling he felt what I did between us.

Gunnery Sergeant Colgrove was in charge of physical training this morning, and after everyone’s name was called, we went outside to the green. We stretched and prepared for whatever exertion we were about to put our bodies through. The chilly air stung at first, but I wouldn’t notice it after a while.

“Suicides today,” Colgrove said.

Tristen groaned. “God help us all.”

“You’ll live.” I cracked a smile.