Page 6 of Hidden Intentions (Quick Bites: MM Short Stories #3)

Matt

Sweetheart.

This boy and his audacity. I tried to focus on the text I’d received from my brother, but I still couldn’t shake off Kevin’s effect on me. What the hell did he do to me? One night of passion and here I was, spiraling like a lovesick fool and questioning everything. Better to nip it in the bud before it becomes something else, not to mention all the codes of ethics I’ve broken.

I looked down, willing myself to stop thinking about Kevin and to answer my brother.

Tell Sussie I’ll be in Boston next month. Something important came up.

I rolled my eyes. It was a classic Finn move. Always dumping his mess on me to fix when it came to him and our sister. Knowing him, “something important” probably involved some messy situation.

Tell her yourself. Aren’t you supposed to be at the opening event this Wednesday?

I can’t. I already cancelled my flight.

Oh, come on. What now?

I’ll tell her. Just... not yet. She’s going to kill me.

That’s because you deserve it.

I know. I just need a little time to figure things out. Can you give her a heads-up that I’m not flying over tonight?

I hit the call button. Predictably, he didn’t pick up.

Are you in trouble?

Sorry. Can’t talk now. Still in bed.

At this time?

Yeah. Had a special guest over.

And this “special guest” is why you’re delaying Boston?

Yeah. It’s a long story that I can’t explain via text right now.

I know it sounds crazy, but he’s... I don’t know. I want to spend a bit more time with him before I make the big move.

What reason should I give for the one-month break? You know Susan will ask.

Tell her I’m with the love of my life.

You’re joking, right?

I’m not.

Stop messing around. Susan needs you.

I’m not messing around.

Please handle her for me. I’ve blocked her for now so she doesn’t blow up my phone, but I’ll send her an email later today. I’ll Zoom in for the opening event. It’ll work out fine.

I sighed, already knowing I’d be stuck doing damage control when Sussie inevitably called me to rant.

Alright.

Before you go, I do have a question.

Is there a federal law against professor-student relationships? I know of state and institutional ones.

The pause between my message and his response felt like hours.

Oh, god.

What did you do?

If you’re doing what I think you’re doing, PLEASE, brother, LEAVE NO DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS.

How long has this been going on?

I hesitated, thumb hovering over the keyboard. The last thing I needed was Finn knowing about Kevin, but of course, he knew me too well to know I wouldn’t ask that kind of question if I wasn’t in that kind of situation, or contemplating it.

We only slept together. Last night.

He’s in his last semester. Five weeks left to finish his program.

You think he’ll be discreet?

He says he will.

You believe that?

I think so.

You must really like him if you’re putting your career at risk for him.

I stared at the message. There was no denying Kevin was already under my skin in ways I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—admit. Did I want something more with him?

I . . . don’t know.

Then what the hell are you doing? No other person could do it for you?

It’s not like that.

What is it, then? You want to keep this going?

Look, it’s none of my business. I’m not aware of any federal law but I can look into it. Should I be concerned? Is he blackmailing you?

It will only be an issue if he claims you forced him or manipulated his grades to get what you want.

Nothing like that.

So consensual, then. If both of you can lie low for the next few weeks, it shouldn’t be a problem. It will only be bad for YOU if you get caught.

If it’s a one-night thing, then end it. Take your leave and go on a vacation.

I’ll see you in a month. Don’t get in trouble.

Sussie will kill you if she hears of this.

Me: You better not breathe a word of this to her.