One Year Later, November
I glanced at the clock hanging on the side wall and saw that it was twenty after four. Being that it was a Friday afternoon, I figured there was no harm letting everyone go ten minutes early. Especially because I happened to notice a special guest slip into the back of the lecture room at quarter after.
Okay class, that’s all for today, I said, my voice echoing off the walls of the large room. A murmur of excitement started amongst my students as textbooks were closed and belongings were tossed into bags. Remember that your fourth assignment is due in the dropbox Monday afternoon, and if you have any questions, feel free to email me over the weekend or drop by my office Monday around ten for office hours. Otherwise, have a good weekend.
While most of the students left quickly, hoping for an early start to their weekend, a perky student from the front row lingered to make sure the notes she’d taken from today’s lecture on the electrical function of the central nervous system were correct. And I gladly took the time to help, because she reminded me of myself at that age. Only a few months into university, and already so keen to learn as much as she could.
These look good to me, I said after skimming over the diagrams and notes that were in her notebook. But if you need an extra resource, everything in today’s lecture is covered more in depth in chapter six of the textbook.
Thanks, the student said, tucking her notebook into her backpack and smiling shyly. With no one left in the room except us two and the man at the back of the class, she flitted her glaze between me and him. Have a good weekend Professor.
My lips quirked upward, and I felt a tinge of a blush dust my cheeks. You too.
As she turned and walked up the stairs of the lecture hall, she waved at Derrick, wishing him luck on his game tonight before scurrying out of the room.
It was strangely well-known across campus, or at least the engineering department, that I was dating one of the star forwards of the Los Angeles Royals. We’d been photographed together on a few occasions over the last year and a half, and while no one ever pestered me about it, I always heard the whispers with each term when I got a new slew of students.
Essentially, I was the cool professor.
And, if that motivated students to study and work hard in my classes, I couldn’t complain.
Well hello there, Derrick said with a silly grin, coming down to the front of the room to wrap his arms around my waist.
It wasn’t often we got to see each other during the season, but he was in Boston for the night and set to face off against the Knights in less than three hours, which gave us some extra quality time together.
Hey, I replied, extending onto my tiptoes to brush my lips softly against his. How was your flight ?
Fine. He shrugged. It’s always tiring flying coast to coast, especially on a plane packed with athletes, but knowing you were waiting for me was definitely a bonus.
I hummed appreciatively. Always the charmer.
You know it. There was a gleam in his eyes as he lifted a hand and tucked my hair behind my ear. So, I have some news for you.
What news ? I asked, a crease forming between my brows for a moment before my eyes widened in realization. Oh my god, did they extend your contract ?
He nodded, joy flooding his expression, and I jumped up in celebration. I wrapped my arms tightly around his shoulders, peppering kisses on his lips.
A deep chuckle escaped him. And that’s not all, he said. They also agreed to a no-trade clause, so while I could still technically be traded, I’d have to at least consent to it beforehand and be a part of the conversations.
That’s great ! I exclaimed. I know you and Ken were really fighting for that.
Yeah, he agreed. They were actually pretty open to discussing it, which surprised me, but I think after last year the front office is seeing the value of keeping me around long-term.
After getting knocked out in the first round of the playoffs two seasons back, the Royals had come back stronger and hungrier, making it all the way to the conference finals earlier this year. Unfortunately, they’d come up short against Colorado, who’d gone on to win the Stanley Cup.
But now they were a little over a month into the new season, and having only lost one game so far, the team was once again hopeful for a long playoff run come the spring.
Of course they want to keep you around-you were their top goal scorer last year, Mr. Hotshot. They’d be crazy to let you go. With my own news on the tip of my tongue, my excitement dimmed slightly, mixing with nerves. Which, you know, is a good thing all things considered.
He quirked a brow. What do you mean ?
Well, I drawled, suddenly questioning whether I’d made the right decision not letting him in on my secret earlier, you know how much this past off-season made us realize how much living apart has sucked ?
Yeah…
What would you say if I told you I submitted an application for a research position opening up next summer in the bioengineering department at UCLA ?
Surprise overtook his features ; his jaw dropping slightly and his eyes widening. You’re looking to move out to Los Angeles ?
I mean, nothing’s finalized, but someone on the faculty out there is retiring in April, I said, shifting from foot to foot. I had a preliminary interview last week and the department head seemed to be impressed by the work I’ve done here. Hopefully I’ll know more in the coming months, but yeah, things look promising.
You’re serious ? he asked slowly, as if my explanation wasn’t enough for things to sink in. You’re coming to Los Angeles ?
I chewed on my bottom lip and nodded. If everything works out, yeah.
We’d known each other for nearly two years now and had been together for most of that time. I knew Derrick was the one for me, and if his job had him living on the west coast for the majority of the year, I was willing to try and find a solution on my end.
Especially after finding a small, velvet box hidden in his apartment when I’d visited him a month prior.
I hadn’t told him what I’d seen, but he was clearly in this relationship for the long haul, and so was I.
His elation began to shine through, though not fully, as he tightened his grip on my hips. Are you sure though ? You know I’d never ask you to-
I silenced him with a kiss. This isn’t a choice I’m making for you, I said softly, pulling back and meeting his gaze. I’m doing this for me, and for us. I love you, and while we’ve been making things work long-distance, I don’t want to be doing it forever. If I can get this job, then it not only brings me to you, but it brings me closer to my family too.
You’re amazing, you know that ?
I smiled. I’ve been told so once or twice.
His hands came up to cup my cheeks. I’m serious. I love you so much.
I love you, too.
He bent down to capture my lips with his own, kissing me thoroughly and making my heart beat faster. It was insane to me that the chemistry between us hadn’t dimmed since that first night between us on New Year’s Eve ; it had only grown. With each kiss, each day, each moment we spent together.
And I could only see our relationship continuing on the upward trend.
After all, our future was bright, and it was just getting started.