Page 27 of Never Let Go (Forbidden #1)
Chapter Twenty-Seven
LAUREN
I wake up to the mother of all hangovers. Water. I need water . I smack my lips together. Yup, dryer than Gandhi’s flip flop.
My throat is scratchy and raw as I groan and sit up, reaching for the glass of water that I’d left on my bedside table before going to sleep. The cool water soothes as it goes down but does absolutely nothing for the woodpecker attacking my head.
Grabbing my phone to check the time—9:47 a.m. Sydney and I aren’t due to leave her parents until later today, hoping to avoid traffic. Just then, Sydney comes in with a cup of coffee.
“Good morning, sunshine. Rise and shine,” she laughs as she opens the curtains.
I groan as I throw the duvet over my head. “Why do you hate me? Evil woman!” I exclaim.
Not forgetting the coffee I know she has in her hands, I reach one hand out from under the duvet and wiggle my fingers in a “gimme” fashion.
Sydney must love me because she hands it straight over.
Seeing as I’m curled up in the fetal position, it’s a bit difficult to drink so I slowly sit myself up, while still under the duvet.
Once I've sat up and had a couple of long sips of my coffee, I breathe out a sigh of content and finally remove my head from under the duvet.
“We getting on the road soon?” Sydney asks as she sits on the bed.
Her long hair is up and she’s in sweats, something she doesn’t do unless she’s not going anywhere… something about not wanting people to see her less than perfect? I glazed over at that point, Sydney’s nothing short of perfect in my eyes.
Finishing off the last of my coffee, I reply, “Mmm.”
“Who were you on the phone to last night?” Sydney enquires, a knowing glint to her eye. “Brad?” She smirks.
“Huh? I was on the phone last night?” I have no memory of this. I grab my phone from beside the bed and check my messages.
Fuck.
I check my call log.
Double fuck.
“I’m guessing by the look on your face someone drunk dialed last night?” Sydney grins and grabs her pillow, holding it to her chest. “Ooooh this is so good. Who was it? Please tell me it was Brad.” She leans in for a closer look.
Even in my less than stellar state I move so quickly I end up tumbling out of bed, flat on my back with my legs in the air. “Ouch.” I rub my hip where I landed on it.
Sydney’s head pokes over the edge of the bed. “Must be good if that’s your reaction,” she cackles.
“Erm, yeah, it was, uh, Brad,” I stutter.
Because that didn’t just give away that I’m guilty .
“So, what happened?” Sydney raises an eyebrow at me as I slowly climb back onto the bed.
“Oh, he messaged me to say that Professor Anderson and Dean Williams want to see me on Monday morning. I, uh, called him to find out the details.”
Fuck, I hate lying to her.
Sydney pouts. “Is that it? Girl, I thought you were gonna give me the good stuff and tell me there was phone sex involved.”
I roll my eyes at her. “My apologies for not having better gossip for you.”
“Apology accepted,” she retorts with a wink. “Come on, get your ass up. We need to start packing before we have lunch with the parents.”
I groan but throw the duvet off, shuffling into the bathroom and getting in the shower before packing up the few things that I brought with me. As I’m washing my hair I think back to last night, trying to remember the conversation…
I let out a gasp. I. Did. Not .
Oh, but I think I did. I think I asked to see Caleb again. I’m going to do what every self-respecting person would do in my position—ignore it. Act like it never happened. I know nothing. Zilch. Nada.
It’ll work… right?
We got back from Sydney’s parents late last night, so I’ve had next to no sleep before having to get up at the butt crack of dawn to get to this meeting with Caleb and the dean on time. I push through the door of the admissions building and the same kind lady from before is sitting behind her desk.
“Hello, dear.” She smiles as I get closer.
“Hi, Lauren Taylor to see Dean Williams. I have an appointment with him this morning.”
“Ah, yes, Professor Anderson is already in there waiting for you. Go on through, dear.”
I nod and turn toward the door. Knocking, I hear, “Come in,” a few seconds later. Taking a deep breath, I walk in.
The first thing I notice is Caleb. He’s leaning against the window and my breath catches.
He’s not wearing his glasses today and I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little bit disappointed.
He’s wearing a white shirt and black slacks as usual, his peppered hair messed just the way I like it.
He pushes off the glass window and stands to his full height when he sees me.
A throat clearing brings me out of my perusal and I realize I’ve been staring. I avert my gaze toward Dean Williams and an emotion crosses his face, one too quick for me to decipher.
“Thank you Professor Anderson, but I think Lauren and I have it from here,” the dean says without taking his eyes off me.
“I’m good, I don’t need to—” Caleb begins but the dean cuts him off.
“It wasn’t a request, Professor Anderson. You may leave.” He finally glances at Caleb, a dark look spreading across his features.
I watch as Caleb’s jaw tightens ever so slightly but gives a small nod. His gaze lingers on me before he strides to the door, opening it and slamming it shut behind him.
Dean Williams stands up from his chair, rounding his desk before coming to stop in front of me .
“I take notice of special students, Lauren. And you are a… special student.” He runs his thumb across his bottom lip and his expression darkens.
“Thank you?” It comes out more like a question, my confusion evident in my tone as I try to figure out what’s going on.
“You see Lauren, I think you would do well here if you were to… how do I put this? Engage in activities that would enhance your education.”
I swallow, a feeling of dread working its way up my spine. “I’m not sure I follow, sir.”
The dean takes a lingering look at me, lips curved in a thin, sardonic smile. “Do you have a boyfriend, Lauren?” he asks.
“N-no, sir.” Where the hell is he going with this? Is he allowed to do this? I squirm in my seat.
“Good, good.” He leers at me, almost like he’s… happy? Excited that I don’t have anyone. He leans in to touch my face and I jerk back, slapping at his hand.
“Wha-what are you doing?” I protest.
“Sorry,” he says, not looking sorry at all, his dark eyes shining with cold amusement.
Quickly standing, I blurt, “I have to get to class.”
“Of course, I’ll be seeing you around… to check on your studies, of course,” Dean Williams says, as he saunters back to his desk and resumes his seated position, completely oblivious to the inner turmoil he’s caused.
Bolting for the door, I feel his cold stare following me. I don’t stop running, even with shouts from admin staff and faculty members telling me to.
I eventually shove my way through the door leading to the exit, folding over myself as I try and catch my breath.
The blood rushes to my ears, my fingers tingle and I’m gasping for air.
Students continue walking around, completely oblivious to my state of panic.
I’m shaking, trembling, as if I’m frozen solid, the adrenaline of the dean’s office now wearing off.
Unfolding myself from my braced position, I close my eyes and tilt my head back to the sky, counting each inhale and exhale, until I start feeling like I can breathe easier. Sensing someone approaching me, I jump.
“Hey, it’s just me,” a soothing voice says. I look over and a sob works its way up my throat, threatening to come out. If I start now, I won’t be able to stop. “Sweetheart, you’re shaking.”
“I-I—” No matter how hard I try, the words won’t come. Tears line my eyes.
“It’s okay, Lauren. You’re okay,” he says, standing close enough that I can hear what he’s saying, but far enough away that it looks like an innocent conversation.
“We need to get you out of here. Can you put your hood up for me and walk to the parking lot? I’ll be walking behind you the whole time. ”
I feel like I’m in a daze and completely overreacting.
“Hey, look at me. Lauren.” Caleb steps closer. “Look at me,” he demands forcefully as he tilts my chin up and I meet his gaze. He softens his tone as he says, “Put your hood up and get to the parking lot, okay? We’ll deal with everything after, sweetheart.”
His voice is a soothing balm to my soul and I find myself nodding at him and following his instructions as if my body’s on autopilot.
Putting my hood up, I start walking. I have no clue what to do when I get there but just knowing that Caleb’s behind me, gives me that little bit of peace to keep moving.