“Three young, innocent women with no priors are definitely trusted over a rich bachelor who didn’t even need this job. Why did you even start teaching here? Was it just so you could sleep with your students?”
“I was trying to give back to the community. And it’s just one student. Just Penny. I had no idea when I accepted this job that I was going to fall in love.”
“She’s eight years younger than you.”
“She’s only seven years younger than me. You should really get your facts straight.”
The reporter frowned.
“What made you pursue this relationship?” the first reporter said, pushing herself back in front of the surly one. “Even when you knew what might happen if people found out?”
“Something happened to me when I met Penny. Everything just… nothing was…” His voice trailed off. “What no one seems to understand is that we’re just two normal people who fell in love. Yes, the circumstances weren’t ideal. But what we have is. I don’t really care what people say about me. Spread all the rumors that you want. All I care about is Penny. All I care about is what we have.”
“If you aren’t guilty then why did you resign?” the rude reporter asked.
“I resigned because the dean told me that I couldn’t keep working here if I continued my relationship with Penny. That was never an option. Like you said, I don’t need this job. But I do need her.”
“Did he sexually harass you, Penny? Did he force…”
“No. Haven’t you been listening at all? Absolutely not. He resigned so he could be with me. Because he loves me. James is sweet and thoughtful. He’s smart and kind and charming. He’s always been such a gentleman. He never forced me to do anything. I’m so in love with him. I don’t understand why you’re choosing to vilify him. And I agree with James completely. Make up whatever you want about us. We’re not going to let you affect our relationship. We’re not going to let all this toxicity hurt us. That’s why I’m done here. I’m not going to finish school at a university that clearly doesn’t want me.”
“Are you moving? Are you transferring to a different school?” The nicer reporter asked.
“Look, you’re all going to need to find a new hobby,” James said. “Because we’re not going to be here for much longer. We don’t want to be associated with a community that is filled with hate. I expected more from the students around campus. And I definitely expected more from the other professors at this institution. Maybe that’s a story you should be chasing. Penny and I are going to try our luck somewhere else.”
“Where are you moving?”
“We don’t have any more comments at this time.” James pulled me back to the car and opened the door for me. He walked around the back of the car to avoid the reporters and climbed into the driver’s side. “You were right. That was a good idea. It was nice to finally say something bad about this ridiculous university.”
“Yeah. Fuck them.”
James laughed. “You’re right. Fuck them.”
Saturday
“Hey, guys!” Rob said as we stepped off the elevator. “Why won’t you die?”
I looked over at him. He was sitting on the couch with a videogame controller in his hand. Sitting right next to him was Brendan. God no. Why is Brendan in our apartment? I just had the most relaxing day with James. This was surely going to set him off. Why now?
“Boom, suck it!” Brendan stood up and made a rude gesture toward Rob.
Rob threw his game controller at him. “Suck that.”
Brendan caught it in one hand and looked over at me. “Hey, Penny.” He was smirking at me.
“Hi, Brendan.” Stop smirking at me.
James tightened his grip around my waist.
Damn it.
“Oh yeah, Penny, I ran into your friend in the elevator,” Rob said. “If I had known he was so good at this game I never would have asked him to play, though.”
“You’re such a sore loser.” Brendan tossed both controllers down on the couch and walked over to James and me. “Hey, man. We haven’t officially met, but I’ve certainly heard a lot about you.” He put his hand out for James. “I’m Brendan.”
James let go of my waist and shook his hand. “I think I owe you a thank you for taking Penny to the hospital the other day.”
“No problem.”
“I’m glad to see you’re still alive,” Brendan said to me. “I’ve been waiting for your call all week.” He leaned down and hugged me.
“Sorry,” I said and patted his back awkwardly.
“Yeah, I’m thankful for what you did.” James put his hand on Brendan’s shoulder. “But I don’t appreciate the fact that you made out with my girlfriend.”
Brendan released me from his hug and laughed. “Oh. You know about that? Well, she wasn’t exactly your girlfriend when that happened. Either time.”
“Either time?” James said.
Rob laughed and ran over to us. “Seriously? You hooked up with Penny? This is just too good. Anyone want a beer?”
“What do you mean either time?” James asked.
“The second time doesn’t really count I guess,” Brendan said and leaned against the kitchen counter. “I kissed her, she didn’t kiss me back.”
“When?” James turned to me.
“In the hospital,” I said. I had already told James about the first time I had kissed Brendan. I barely even remembered being in the hospital. But I remembered that now. Brendan was right. I didn’t kiss him back. I had already decided to be with James.
“Don’t get mad at her. I’m pretty sure she was doped up on morphine and she still pushed me off. Cleary she chose you. I didn’t even get a thank you for sending her flowers. I’m not used to losing. I’ll have a beer,” he said to Rob.